California Desert Map

California contains several arid desert regions, primarily located in the southeastern and southern areas of the state.

The Mojave Desert stretches across southeastern California as well as into Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The Mojave covers arid plains and barren mountain ranges. Important locations include Death Valley, the lowest point in North America, as well as Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station.

To the south is the Sonoran Desert, which extends from California into Arizona and Mexico. The unique Sonoran Desert landscape includes the Colorado Desert and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California's largest state park.

The smaller Great Basin Desert lies across eastern California, characterized by salt flats and sagebrush plains. Owens Valley runs through the Great Basin Desert.

In Southern California, the Colorado Desert portion of the Sonoran includes the below-sea-level Salton Sea as well as popular desert resort towns like Palm Springs. The unique landscape and desert climate make California's arid regions popular filming locations.

The deserts of California display unique topography, desert plants and wildlife, and important historical and recreational sites for visitors to explore California's dry landscapes. Protecting fragile desert ecosystems continues to be an important issue in California.

Click on the California Desert Map to view it full screen. File Type: jpg, File size: 246194 bytes (240.42 KB), Map Dimensions: 1300px x 1682px (16777216 colors)