The deserts of Nevada and Utah hide some of the most unusual landscapes in the American Southwest- places that feel untouched, otherworldly, and wildly underrated. Beyond the famous national parks and crowded viewpoints, these two states offer desert experiences that look like alien planets, forgotten boomtowns, and geological oddities frozen in time.
From remote hot springs and living ghost towns to surreal rock formations and hidden arches, these uncommon desert experiences prove that the Southwest still rewards travelers willing to explore beyond the obvious.
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Here are 15 unforgettable desert adventures in Nevada and Utah that will completely change how you see the desert.
Little Finland (Devil’s Fire) – Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
Also known as Devil’s Fire or Hobgoblin’s Playground, Little Finland is one of the most fragile and surreal rock formations in the Mojave Desert. Located within Gold Butte National Monument, this remote area features intricately eroded Aztec sandstone shaped into delicate fins, knobs, and spires across a narrow plateau.
Reaching Little Finland requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle and about two hours of rough driving from Mesquite, Nevada, but the remoteness is exactly what keeps it special. The formations appear impossibly thin, as if a strong gust of wind could topple them, yet they’ve stood for thousands of years.
Devil’s Throat – Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
Gold Butte delivers again with one of the strangest geological features in Nevada. Devil’s Throat is a massive 110-foot-deep sinkhole that opens abruptly in the desert floor.
Located along the Gold Butte Backcountry, there is a sign directing you to the hole and fence around it. Because the hole keeps getting bigger, the fence is a bit away from the hole, so it’s hard to look in the hole, but it’s worth checking out if you’re at Gold Butte. It’s raw, unfiltered desert geology and a powerful reminder of how unpredictable this landscape can be.
Pro Tip: Be sure you have a full tank of gas before heading to Gold Butte, there aren’t any gas stations in the park.
Cathedral Gorge State Park – Panaca, Nevada
While Utah gets most of the slot canyon attention, Cathedral Gorge State Park quietly offers something completely different. Carved from ancient volcanic ash and clay, the narrow passages here feel more like walking through sculpted gray wall than sandstone.
The Moon Caves and Cathedral Caves are short, winding, and easy to explore, making it possible to wander dozens of slots in just a few hours. It’s one of Nevada’s most underrated parks and one of its most unique.
Spencer Hot Springs – Austin, Nevada
Tucked into the Toiyabe Range just outside Austin, Nevada, Spencer Hot Springs strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and solitude. The hot water flows into old livestock tanks where you can manually adjust the temperature.
At over 6,000 feet in elevation, the springs offer year-round soaking with sweeping mountain views. There are no crowds, no luxuries, and the only rule is Leave No Trace- just quiet desert soaking done right.
Learn More: A Simple Guide to Leave No Trace for Outdoor Adventures
Warm Springs Ghost Town – Warm Springs, Nevada
Along Nevada’s legendary Extraterrestrial Highway, Warm Springs Ghost Town feels frozen in time. Founded in 1866 as a stagecoach stop, the town faded away, but the hot springs never stopped flowing.
Today, a striking turquoise pool sits in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by abandoned buildings, including a bar with a torn pool table still inside. Follow the spring uphill and you’ll find its boiling source, creating one of the eeriest- and most fascinating – desert stops in Nevada.
You can’t take a dip in this pool as the water is too hot! If you’re looking for hot springs you can relax in, read this: Soak It All In: Ultimate Guide to Nevada’s Hot Springs Adventures
Austin Historic District – Austin, Nevada
Austin calls itself a “living ghost town,” and the name fits. Once home to 10,000 silver miners, the town now has a population of around 600, but its history remains remarkably intact.
Highlights include Stokes Castle, a three-story stone tower that looks more European than Nevadan, and its location along Highway 50, famously known as The Loneliest Road in America. Austin also serves as a basecamp for nearby Spencer Hot Springs and Toquima Cave. While you’re here be sure to visit Toquima Cave where you will find one of the most sacred American Indian sites in the Silver State.
Goldwell Open Air Museum – Beatty, Nevada
Just outside the ghost town of Rhyolite, the Goldwell Open Air Museum blends desert art with abandonment in the most surreal way possible. Seven massive sculptures stand against the Mojave backdrop, including a haunting plaster version of The Last Supper.
The museum is free, open 24/7, and positioned right next to Rhyolite’s crumbling buildings-creating a collision of art, history, and endless desert sky. Kind of spooky and otherworldly right out in the open.
Pro Tip: You don’t want to visit these sites without a camera. If you need a new one, we like our PixPro from Kodak. Not only is a great size, but the pictures and videos come out great.
Bonneville Salt Flats – Wendover, Utah
The Bonneville Salt Flats stretch across more than 30,000 acres, forming one of the most surreal landscapes in the United States. Known for land-speed records since 1914, the flats still host Speed Week every August.
Even without engines roaring, driving onto the vast white expanse feels like stepping onto another planet – especially at sunrise or sunset, when reflections stretch endlessly across the salt crust.
Factory Butte & Bentonite Hills – Torrey, Utah
Near Capitol Reef, Factory Butte rises from a sea of color-streaked clay hills. The surrounding Bentonite Hills ripple with blues, purples, reds, and oranges- especially vivid after rainstorms reshape the landscape.
Accessible only by dirt roads, this remote area allows dispersed camping and offers constantly changing terrain that photographers obsess over but most travelers miss entirely.
Coyote Gulch – Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah
One of southern Utah’s most dramatic canyons, Coyote Gulch features towering red walls, natural arches, and cool river pools. Access requires a long drive down HITR Road and a steep sand dune descent.
While the hike can be done in a long day, most visitors choose to camp overnight to fully experience the canyon’s cathedral-like atmosphere.
Pro Tip: This hike is strenuous and the steep decent requires hiking experience, so make sure you can handle it before you go on this hike.
Mystic Hot Springs – Monroe, Utah
Often called one of the most unique hot springs in the West, Mystic Hot Springs features mineral-rich water cascading into old bathtubs scattered across a travertine hillside.
The property also offers renovated buses for overnight stays, blending quirky charm with natural soaking. The springs have a long history, dating back to Native American use and later developed into a wellness retreat.
Cassidy Arch – Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef remains one of Utah’s least crowded national parks, and Cassidy Arch is a prime example why. The 3.1-mile round-trip hike climbs steeply but rewards hikers with the rare chance to walk directly across a massive stone arch.
Standing on top of the arch, suspended above open air, offers one of the most exhilarating perspectives in Utah’s red rock country.
Homestead Crater – Midway, Utah
Unlike most hot springs, Homestead Crater sits inside a massive limestone dome. The geothermal spring is 65 feet deep, with crystal-clear water maintained at 93°F year-round.
Visitors can swim, snorkel, or scuba dive inside the crater, but access requires booking through the Homestead Resort. The fewer crowds make this underground oasis feel like a true hidden world.
Pro Tip: Take this quick dry, microfiber towel with you so you can be dry when you get to your car. Then use it as a seat cover to keep your seat dry.
Goblin Valley State Park – Green River, Utah
Goblin Valley feels like a natural playground filled with thousands of mushroom-shaped hoodoos scattered across a sandstone basin. Unlike many parks, visitors are encouraged to wander off-trail and explore freely.
The park remains relatively uncrowded despite its otherworldly appearance, making it one of Utah’s most fun and visually striking destinations. If you like the unusual and otherworldly, then this is a must-see bucket list park!
Snow Canyon State Park – Ivins, Utah
Often overshadowed by Zion, Snow Canyon State Park delivers red rock cliffs, black lava flows, slot canyons, and petrified sand dunes – all just outside St. George.
Short trails like Petrified Dunes and Jenny’s Canyon offer big visual payoffs without long hikes, while lava tube caves add a volcanic twist to the landscape.
Final Thoughts: Why the Desert Still Rewards the Curious
These uncommon desert experiences share something deeper than remoteness- they represent a version of the Southwest that still values discovery over crowds.
Some require serious planning and the right vehicle, while others sit quietly near major highways, waiting to be noticed. The desert keeps its secrets close, but for travelers willing to look beyond the checklist, Nevada and Utah offer experiences that feel genuinely rare in an increasingly crowded world.
We love sharing tips and information that we learn along the way with you to help you plan your next adventure. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.