Tent Camping in Southwest USA

The Southwest features many arches naturally formed from the rock

The Southwestern United States offers some fantastic landscapes, from the towering sandstone spires of Arches National Park to the deep shade of the Grand Canyon. Parts of the region remain tent-friendly year-round, and careful visitors can enjoy scenery found nowhere else.

Places

The Southwest provides a stark contrast of landscapes. While California’s Yosemite National Park features craggy peaks, tall waterfalls and pine forests, the nearby Death Valley is one of the lowest, driest and flattest locations in the country. Utah contains the maze-like Canyonlands National Park, which neighbors the surreal rock formations of Arches National Park. To the south, visitors can explore the massive, historic Grand Canyon. Other destinations of note include Joshua Tree and King’s Canyon in California; Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef National Parks in Utah; and Nevada’s lone national park, Great Basin.

Weather

Throughout the summer months, the southwest offers some of the nation’s most predictable climates: sunny and warm. Expect to see temperatures no lower than 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and be prepared for highs of more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the hottest areas. Though you may not need your tent’s rain fly for the moisture, the high winds can blow down unsecured tents, and fill your gear with sand if you leave your tent unzipped or without a cover.

Safety

Because of temperatures reaching more than 100 degrees in some areas, it’s important to keep a large supply of water at your camp. The National Park Service recommends drinking at least 1 gallon of water a day in desert environments. Additionally, the Skin Cancer Foundation suggests wearing a hat with at least a three-inch brim in extremely sunny environments to reduce the risk of sunburn. Small creatures such as scorpions, rattlesnakes and black widows are the most dangerous animals in the Southwest. Check your tent seals, shoes, and any gear left outside overnight for these and other possibly dangerous wildlife.

Gear

All the area’s national parks, most of the state parks, and many national forests and other sites offer tent camping for larger tents alongside RVs and trailers. If you have a lighter tent and want to trek a bit, backcountry campgrounds and wilderness sites let you take in the scenery away from other amenities. You won't need a mummy bag for most of the year, as lighter-duty sleeping bags will keep you warm enough. Since you don't need to worry about moisture, you can usually store gear outside, saving some space for smaller or lighter tents. To minimize the sand intake of your tent, choose one without large mesh vents or mesh doors.

Schedule

Due to radical shifts in elevation and climate, the Southwest has weather suitable for tent camping year round, depending on where you go. While Death Valley gets its most comfortable weather during the winter, the parks in Utah find themselves covered in snow. Spring and fall strike a good balance, when the temperatures reach a desirable median, and tent campers can explore the high spires of Bryce Canyon and the lowlands of California in equal comfort.

References

• NPS.gov: Death Valley: Your Safety
• Desert USA: Death Valley National Park
• Bryce Canyon National ParkWeather Guide
• Skin Cancer Foundation: Protective Clothing
• Zion National Park Weather Guide