The Best Desert Viewpoints in the World
Desert viewpoints capitalise on three things: the absence of vegetation (unobstructed sightlines), the low-angle light that emphasises terrain form, and the dramatic temperature swings that produce mirages, heat haze, and clear skies. These ten cover the major desert regions worldwide.
1. Sossusvlei Dune 45, Namibia — 170 m above pan
The 170-metre red dune at the 45-kilometre mark on the road from Sesriem. Climbed in 30 minutes; the sunrise view across the dune sea and the Sossusvlei salt pan is the defining Namib image.
2. Valle de la Luna, Atacama, Chile — 2,500 m
The "Valley of the Moon" west of San Pedro de Atacama, with viewpoints over salt-encrusted dune landscapes. Sunset is the canonical time; the salt crystals on the dunes glow as the sun descends.
3. White Sands National Park, New Mexico — 1,200 m
The gypsum dune sea of southern New Mexico. Multiple viewpoints from the park road; the best is the elevated ranger station at the visitor center. Best at sunset when shadows lengthen across the white dunes.
4. Wadi Rum from Jebel um ad Dami, Jordan — 1,854 m
The highest peak in Jordan, in the heart of the Wadi Rum desert. Reached by 4-hour return scramble from the desert floor. The panorama covers the red Wadi Rum sandstone landscape and south into Saudi Arabia.
5. Erg Chebbi from the dunes near Merzouga, Morocco — 150 m above floor
The 150-metre Saharan dunes at Erg Chebbi in southeast Morocco. Climbed by camel or on foot from the desert camps; the eastern facing dune crests catch the first sunrise light.
6. Death Valley Zabriskie Point, California — 235 m
The eroded badlands of Zabriskie Point at sunrise, with the multicoloured dry lake beds and the Panamint range as backdrop. Drive-up; five-minute walk from parking. Sunrise is the iconic light.
7. Uyuni Salt Flat from Isla Incahuasi, Bolivia — 3,656 m
The cactus-covered "island" in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni salt flat. The summit (90 metres above the salt) gives a 360-degree view across the largest salt flat in the world. Best after rain when the salt mirrors the sky.
8. Black Rock Desert, Nevada — 1,200 m
The dry lake bed and surrounding playa of northwestern Nevada, used for Burning Man and the world land-speed record attempts. Empty flat view in all directions. The surrounding mountains rise from the playa as the only landscape features.
9. Gobi Desert from Khongor Sand Dunes, Mongolia — 1,500 m
The "singing dunes" of Khongoryn Els in the Gobi, with a 100-metre dune crest. Camel rides from the camp at the base; the summit view of dune seas extending to the horizon.
10. Karakum Crater (Door to Hell), Turkmenistan — 200 m
The Darvaza gas crater, a continuously burning gas pit since 1971. Best at night when the flames illuminate the surrounding desert. Roadside parking; flat walking ground around the crater rim.
Explore on the map
Desert viewpoints are clustered in the major arid regions: Sahara (north Africa), Atacama (Chile-Peru), Mojave (US southwest), Australian interior, Arabian, and Central Asian deserts. Filter by region, access, and best light on the interactive map.