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June Reynolds’s Desert Series books are a love letter to the American Southwest. There are stories and lore that fill and slither beneath the grains of sand. These books pull its readers across the world, over vast stretches of desert, and into the worlds of myth and magic hidden in its great landscape. As June says, “Even a coyote or a horse on the trail can create wonderment in the mind’s eye.”

The Deserts of the American Southwest

Carved out by time and changing weather, the arid landscapes of the American Southwest bear some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring deserts on the face of Earth. It is a land of stark beauty and storied mystery. There are sights to captivate everyone and hidden depths for the brave to venture into. Between the towering saguaros of the Sonora and the grand rock formations of the Great Basin, the Southwest is a bountiful and veritable basket of nature’s raw power and grandiosity.

If that has you hooked, whether it’s to seek adventure or solitude or just to appreciate nature, the Southwest is worth the visit. But, as with everywhere else, you have to stop and take time to actually get to know the place before going to the place. Researching the weather conditions is really helpful. Some people think that just because deserts are hot, they just have to prepare for the heat–bring water, sunscreen, etc.–but that’s not the only weather conditions you need to take into account. The desert can get very cold at night, and there are often flash floods. So, secure trail maps and permits. While there are a few animals that will actively harm you in the desert, you still need to be respectful–just because they won’t bite your face off, at first sight doesn’t mean you have to goad them into it–and maintain a distance.

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While these are just a few tips, they can be a place to start. What comes next should be more pointed and deliberate, specific to the deserts that you want to visit. Not all of them are the same!

The Grains of Sand of the Sonora

One of the largest and most varied deserts in North America is the Sonora. The region covers parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico and takes its name from the Mexican State of Sonora–whose etymology remains in dispute. The saguaro grows in abundance here, becoming an icon associated with the desert and the Southwest in general. Aside from these gargantuan cacti, the Sonora is home to a rich diversity of plant life from various cacti, succulents, and desert wildflowers. Unlike the sandy deserts of popular media, the ground of Sonora is adorned with colorful blooms and green shrubbery, and while still an arid landscape, it is a very colorful example of it. There is also a diverse range of wildlife living within its dense greenery, with the roadrunner being the most famous example.

The Grains of Sand of the Mojave

Perhaps the most famous of the deserts of the Southwest–due to its depiction in the massively popular Fallout series–the Mojave is a land of extremes and geological wonders. Bordering the Great Basin to the north is Death Valley. This is the lowest point in North America and is often the hottest place on Earth during the summer. This is the harshest of the Mojave’s regions, with salt flats and sand dunes spread across the land. The jagged mountains of the Grapevine and Owlshead only add to the creation of a surreal and otherworldly landscape. Yet, despite its extreme environment, life thrives in the Mojave, most famously the yucca.

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The Grains of Sand of the Great Basin

The claim to the largest desert in the United States falls to the Great Basin, a vast expanse of high-altitude desert sparsely populated by sagebrush, juniper, and pinyon. If there has to be only one desert to represent the grandeur of the Southwest, it has to be the Great Basin. Across this expansive place, dramatic landscapes dominate the vistas–mountain ranges looming on the horizon, canyons carving deep rifts into the land, and salt flats spread across great distances. Coupled with its relative remoteness and uneven topography, the Great Basin makes for a very soothing and calming experience.

For actual stories and local knowledge of the American Southwest, read the Desert Series by June Reynolds. Grab a copy through this link!