Largest Deserts in the US
While the word “desert” often brings to mind the giant sand dunes of the Sahara, the deserts of the United States are incredibly diverse, ranging from the high-altitude “cold deserts” of the north to the low-lying, heat-blasted basins of the south.
The following table lists the four major deserts in the U.S. by their approximate land area.
| Rank | Desert Name | Type | Approx. Area (sq mi) | Primary States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Basin Desert | Cold / High Elevation | 190,000 | NV, UT, CA, OR, ID |
| 2 | Chihuahuan Desert | Subtropical | 140,000 (US portion) | TX, NM, AZ |
| 3 | Sonoran Desert | Subtropical | 100,000 (US portion) | AZ, CA |
| 4 | Mojave Desert | Transition / Rain Shadow | 47,000 | CA, NV, AZ, UT |
Key Characteristics
Great Basin Desert: The largest desert in the U.S., it is a “cold desert” because most of its precipitation falls as snow. It is defined by its “Basin and Range” topography—parallel mountain ranges separated by flat valleys.
Chihuahuan Desert: While a significant portion lies in Mexico, the U.S. side includes the famous White Sands in New Mexico and Big Bend in Texas. It is generally higher in elevation and receives more summer rain than the Sonoran.
Sonoran Desert: Known as the most biologically diverse desert in the world, it is the only place where the iconic Saguaro cactus grows in the wild. It experiences two rainy seasons (winter and summer monsoons).
Mojave Desert: The smallest and driest of the four, it serves as a transitional zone between the Great Basin and the Sonoran. It is home to the Joshua Tree and the hottest place on Earth: Death Valley.
