Hiking in the Desert - What You Need to Know
If the magical desert landscape calls to you, you can find incredible hiking trails to explore the stunning sandy environment. But hiking in the desert requires certain skills and preparedness that are different from hiking through the woods or a meadow.
This guide will cover the basics of hiking in the desert, from clothing, gear, to safety considerations and comfort. The goal is to help you feel prepared to embark on your own desert hiking adventure!
WHAT WE’LL COVER IN THIS GUIDE TO HIKING IN THE DESERT
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to go hiking in the desert. The post is split up into the following sections:
Hiking in the Desert Overview - What you need to know before you go desert hiking.
Desert Hiking Safety - Preparing for the dangers & challenges of hiking in the desert.
Clothing for Hiking in the Desert - What to wear for hiking in the desert (hint: sun protection is key).
Desert Hiking Gear - Other useful gear for hiking in the desert.
Desert Hiking Comfort - How to stay comfortable in the extreme temps so that desert hiking is fun!
Without further ado, let’s talk about hiking in the desert!
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HIKING IN THE DESERT Overview
If you’re drawn to the magic of the desert, you’re not alone! It can be a truly special place to explore.
DESERT HIKING SAFETY
The desert is an extreme environment, and If anything goes wrong, it can be very unforgiving. Your best strategy for hiking in the desert is to be prepared for what you might encounter, so you don’t get caught unequipped for the conditions.
Here are some of the most important safety concerns to be ready to handle when hiking in the desert.
EXTREME HEAT
No doubt about it, the desert can get HOT, and it is extremely dangerous to hike in very hot temperatures. Once your body starts to overheat, it can be really hard to cool down in a desert environment without water or shade, and many people have died from the desert heat.
I’m not trying to scare you away from hiking in the desert, but people often overlook the dangers of extreme heat and get in trouble, so I just want to be really clear that you need to be careful and prepared if you’re going to hike when the temps are high.
When hiking in the desert, you typically want to get an early start so you can avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day (around 10am-4pm).
LACK OF WATER
Desert is literally defined as “arid land,” so water is by definition scarce when hiking in the desert. And the hotter it is, the more you sweat, and the more water you need, which can be a dangerous combination.
Dehydration is a big risk when hiking in the desert, so you really need to plan ahead to know if there will be any water on the trail and to make sure you bring plenty.
Don’t rely on old reports when researching water sources on your desert hiking trail. Water sources can easily dry up in the desert, and you don’t want to depend on water that isn’t actually there.
NAVIGATION
Another risk in the desert is getting lost, which can be easy to do since the trails through the desert landscape aren’t always well-defined, and it can be hard to find landmarks.
Losing your way in the desert can exacerbate other problems, like dehydration or heat illness, so it’s crucial to stay on track when you’re hiking in the desert.
I highly recommend downloading GPX tracks for any desert hike before you go. And once you’re on the trail, it’s a good idea to track your route, so you can see where you are and retrace your steps if necessary.
CACTI
Lots of the plants in the desert are spiky, which can be a harsh surprise if you grab or brush up against one. It’s a good idea to bring a pair of tweezers in your first aid kit, just in case you get stuck by some spines.
(And whatever you do, don’t dry out your clothes above a bunch of cacti where the wind might blow them down—trust me, picking cactus spines out of a sports bra is a lost cause!)
RATTLESNAKES
Rattlesnakes call the desert home, so you might come across them when you’re hiking in the desert. They sometimes will sun themself by stretching across a trail, but more often you will probably encounter snakes hiding in some plants or rocks near the trail.
Always be alert by keeping an eye out on the trail and using a trekking pole to reach out and tap plants or rocks before you step on or over them.
If you do encounter a rattlesnake, it will often try to get away from you, but if it rattles at you, step back and give it plenty of space. NEVER try to step or jump over a rattlesnake–they can strike much farther than you might imagine.
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DESERT HIKING CLOTHING
It’s extremely important to choose the right clothing for hiking in the desert, for both your comfort and safety. While the main concern when hiking in the desert is typically dressing for the heat, the temperature can drop significantly at night, so it’s good to also be ready for that if you’re planning a long hike where you might be out late.
LIGHT LAYERS
When hiking in the desert, you’ll want clothing made from breathable, moisture-wicking fabric to help keep you cool. And keep in mind that even though it can get extremely hot in the desert, if you’re hiking after the sun goes down, the temps can drop considerably. Light layers are key to be ready for desert hiking.
SUNSHIRT
One layer that I think is crucial when hiking in the desert is a sunshirt. Sunshirts are a great way to protect yourself from the harsh rays of the sun and can actually keep you cooler than exposed skin.
FLEECE OR PUFFY
If you’re planning to be out on a long desert night, the temps can really drop at night, so a warmer layer like a fleece or puffy that you can stuff in your pack can be really useful. It’s also good insurance just in case something goes wrong, and you end up out on the trail longer than you expected.
HAT
I almost always wear a hat when hiking, especially while hiking in the desert. When the sun is beating down, a hat will help keep the glare out of your eyes while also protecting your head and face from the rays.
SUNGLASSES
FOOTWEAR
You don’t typically need (or want) heavy-duty hiking boots when hiking in the desert. A good breathable hiking shoe is my favorite choice for desert hiking. You could also go with trail running shoes or climbing approach shoes, especially in rocky desert environments like Joshua Tree or The Wave in Arizona.
Hiking sandals are another option for hiking in the desert. But with rocks, cacti, and rattlesnakes around, an actual shoe might be better to protect your feet.
DESERT HIKING GEAR
Beyond the right clothing, you need to bring the right gear when hiking in the desert. Here are a few of the most crucial things to make sure you have with you in the desert.
Sunscreen
This might be obvious, but you definitely want to bring sunscreen when you’re hiking in the desert. The sun’s rays are harsh and often unrelenting here, and you need to protect your exposed skin. Don’t forget to reapply frequently!
LOTS OF WATER
You should always be prepared to bring all the water you need when hiking in the desert, unless you are absolutely certain there are water sources along your trail. Desert water sources can be extremely fickle and are often dried up, so you can’t count on them to always be available.
If you do know that a water source is available, make sure to bring a water filter, and maybe a back up since desert water can be extra dirty and sandy, which can clog your filter.
If you’re going on a longer desert backpacking trip, sometimes you need to cache water ahead of time. This means you place water containers at certain spots before you begin your hike so you will have water when you need it when none is naturally available.
ELECTROLYTES & SALTY SNACKS
You might have heard the saying, “hydrate or die” but did you know that overhydration can cause problems, too? If you drink too much water, and your mineral balance gets out of whack, you can develop a condition called hyponatremia which can be extremely serious.
In fact, when we hiked the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim a few years ago the PSAR (Preventative Search & Rescue) rangers gave us a big thumbs up for carrying a lot of salty snacks.
GPS & SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR
I always recommend bringing a GPS device or using an app like Gaia GPS as well as a satellite communicator when hiking, and you definitely want these when hiking in the desert. The GPS will keep you on track and avoid getting lost in the desert, and having a satellite communicator lets you communicate with your contacts back home and call for help if something goes wrong.
DOWNLOAD OUR HIKING PACKING CHECKLIST
So that you can hit the trails with peace of mind knowing that you didn’t leave anything essential behind!
DESERT HIKING COMFORT
Here are a few things you can bring that will make you more comfortable in harsh desert conditions.
Hiking umbrella
I highly recommend these lightweight hiking umbrellas when hiking in the desert. If you don’t want to carry it your whole hike, you can get an attachment to clip it to your pack strap so you don’t need to use your hands.
Cooling bandana
Hope this post has you ready to experience that desert magic! And we’d love it if you want to share your favorite desert hikes in the comments below.
LOOKING FOR MORE DESERT HIKING RESOURCES?
Check out these guides to awesome desert hikes!
And here are some posts about hiking in other extreme conditions!
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
Hiking in the Desert - What You Need to Know | If the magical desert landscape calls to you, you can find incredible hiking trails to explore the stunning sandy environment. But hiking in the desert requires certain skills and preparedness that are different from hiking through the woods or a meadow. This guide will cover the basics of hiking in the desert, from clothing and gear to safety considerations and comfort. The goal is to help you feel prepared to embark on your own desert hiking adventure! | shedreamsofalpine.com