Looking to hike in the desert, but don’t know where to start? From what to pack for desert hiking to important things to know about hiking in the desert, I’ve got you covered!

why this blog? hi there! I’m Maddy, and I’ve been working as an outdoor and coastal kayaking guide since 2018. From backpacking in Armenia as a US Peace Corps Volunteer to sea kayaking the British Columbia Coast, the only thing that gets me more stoked than my own adventures is helping demystify the outdoors for others. As someone who lives in the Upper Midwest, desert hiking is hard for me. Throughout the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about how to hike in the desert trial by fire style.

oh hey there! this blog uses affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

Desert Hiking Tips for Beginners:

I’m from the Lake Superior area where summers are cold and winters are colder! I’ve learned through trial and error (emphasis on the error) that I need to take extra care when hiking in the desert as my body isn’t used to both the heat and the dry air. While I’m an experienced hiker, my body requires a little more love and preventative care in the desert– an approach I recommend adopting if you too are from cooler climates!

1) Day Hiking Desert Packing List:

For a desert day hike, consider bringing:

• Shorts or loose-fitting long pants: for women looking for a flattering fit and functionality try Kuhl Freeflex or REI Trailmade
• A hiking day pack
• Hiking boots: I like Oboz Bridger Mids for best grip and ankle support, or alternately hiking/paddling sandals like Bedrocks (designed for paddling guides and paddling guide (me) approved)
• A UPF sun hoodie
• A down puffy jacket that packs down small: nights are a lot cooler than you might expect!
• On rugged trails, trekking poles
• An America the Beautiful Pass
• At least 2.5 L of water per day; note that some areas recommend a Liter of water PER HOUR while desert hiking. One water bottle is likely not enough for a day hike.
• A water filter (in case of emergency you may be able to find water to filter
• Three ways to call for help: Garmin InReach, whistle, signaling mirror
• First aid kit
• Map and compass; a way to navigate without a cell phone
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, an emergency bivy

2) What to pack for desert hiking (BACKPACKING)

When backpacking in the desert, you’ll want to really consider your timing and how water availability effects your route. I strongly recommend starting early in the morning and limiting hiking between noon and four pm. Additionally, you’ll want to pack in water if water sources are not guaranteed to be available.

When backpacking the Needles district of Canyonlands, Exploren Borgen and I packed 2.5 L of water per person, per day of hiking and that proved to not be enough water to comfortably hike for three days. We ended up using closer to 3 L of water per day.

In addition to packing in your water, you’ll also need to pack OUT your poop on most desert hiking trails. You can do this with a WAG bag, which allows you to easily pack out solid waste. Keep in mind that WAG bags need to be disposed of at a proper receptacle. For example if you’re hiking in Moab, you can find where to dispose of your WAG bags here.

Beyond packing in additional water and packing out poop, a lighter pack can go a long way for desert backpacking.

READ: Beginner Backpacking Checklist

3) What to do for water when desert hiking:

Packing enough drinking water for your hike should be one of your top concerns when desert hiking! It is extremely easy to become dehydrated or heat exhausted, and extremely common for heat-related illness to lead to rescue in the desert.

Depending on where you plan to hike, you will want to carry anywhere from a minimum two liters of water per person per day to a gallon of water per person per day, or four liters. Check before you go hiking to see if there are water sources available along your route. You may want to pack a water bladder to carry extra water as comfortably as possible.

4) How to pack out your poop for desert hiking:

When hiking in the desert, you have to pack out your poop! For this, I recommend a WAG bag. They’re user-friendly and turn liquid waste solid, and I carry one on day hikes as well as overnight hikes.

Dry desert conditions make it so human waste doesn’t biodegrade, so it’s extra important to pack out waste instead of bury it. If human waste is left, it’s left in the desert for a long time. In the event of flash flooding, that waste can then be swept into the water supply, effecting valuable clean water sources.

5) Stay on trail to protect cryptobiotic soil:

Don’t bust the crust! Cryptobiotic soil or biological soil crust include living organisms in the desert soil. Biological soil crusts are extremely important to the environment and are involved in carbon and nitrogen fixation, and serve as the proverbial bedrock of desert ecosystems. One footstep on biological soil crusts can damage decades of desert ecosystem growth. For this reason, it’s extremely important to stay on the trail!

It may seem like a small thing and to the eye it certainly is, but the downstream effects of ecological damage effect everyone. Besides, it only makes sense that as hikers out to enjoy the beauty of a hiking trail now, we work to preserve it for years to come!

6) Hike in the mornings or the evenings

Another important tip for hiking in the desert is to beat the heat by hiking in the mornings or evenings. This is especially true if hiking in the summer, spring or fall. I recommend hitting the trails early and being done with your morning hiking by noon, heading into town or posting up in a brewery until after three pm.

7) Take extra care for sun protection

In addition to the desert heat, keep in mind that the sun is also strong! Remember to wear long sleeves, a hat, and sunscreen. Consider UPF clothing which acts as extra sun protectant.

8) Don’t forget sunglasses

My sun protection horror story is that after years as an outdoor guide, I’ve actually sunburnt my left eye to the point it’s permanently red in a case of surfer’s eye. Maddy how could that possibly happen, you might think; I didn’t used to wear sunglasses paddling and hiking. Now, I wear them always and strongly recommend you invest in 100% UV protectant polarized sunglasses.

9) Weather in the desert:

Heat in the desert is definietly the biggest thing to keep in mind weather-wise for desert hikes, but it isn’t the only hazard. Deserts are hot in the day but generally significantly cooler at night; this is due to the lack of moisture in the air. Temperatures that are hot during the day can be freezing at night; it’s important to keep this in mind when backpacking.

Due to the temperature changes the desert can also experience strong winds. Storms can come up quickly, and it’s important to keep in mind that rain can lead to flash flooding especially in slot canyons.

READ: How to Choose a Hiking Shoe

10) What you need to know about flash flood risk in the desert:

Flash flooding can be a concern when hiking in the desert, particularly in slot canyon and canyon hiking. The dry soil doesn’t absorb water easily, and all run off from rain tends to drain into canyons quickly and often with violent force; flash floods can prove deadly to hikers.

According to My Utah Parks, it can never be known for sure when flash flooding will occur, but if it is raining at a higher elevation than you, then there is a risk. Flash flooding is often sudden and extremely destructive. Mid-July to through the fall in the American Southwest are especially high flash flood risk seasons.

When hiking in the desert be away of flash flood warning signs including:

• Changing in water levels, speed or water color when hiking near a river; flash floods will often be preceded by “dirty” or red and desert muddied waters
• Debris in water
• The sound of rushing water or strange loud noises (can sometimes sound like loud wind, thunder, construction, or a train)
• Rain, or dark rain-bearing clouds

Remember to check the weather before you go. Check in and let someone know where you plan to hike– in an emergency this can decrease your time to rescue. Check in at a ranger station or leave a note with a hiking plan in your car. Plan out potential escape routes for slot canyon hikes– where and how can you get to high ground?

11) Desert wildlife: what to expect while hiking

Deserts hold a variety of wildlife! Depending on where you’re hiking, you can expect to see coyotes, rattlesnakes, bears, various wildcats, and spiders.

Rattlesnake safety for desert hikers: good news! Most of the snakes you’ll see while hiking are harmless. Nonetheless, it’s good to maintain a safe distance from all snakes. Snakes with a triangular head, a rattle at the tail, thick body and large scales can be venomous. Because rattlesnakes are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their temperature, they are often in the sun in mornings and evenings; this is when you’re most likely to see a rattlesnake on trail. If you see a rattlesnake on trail, simply give it lots of space and wait for it to move or turn back. DO NOT try and move the snake, even with a trekking pole or a stick. Read more about hiking with rattlesnakes.

It’s good to shake out your clothing and gear for spiders and critters while hiking in the desert.

12) Navigation and staying found in the desert:

When hiking in the desert it’s good to have some sort of means of navigating. Personally, I prefer to opt for a paper map and compass whenever possible– a lot of the southwest desert has high-quality National Geographic maps available, and many National Parks sites have free maps at visitors centers. Alternately, sometimes downloading offline maps from apps like AllTrails can be enough, but this is obviously dependent on cell service and in my opinion, dulls your intuition and ability to pay attention to hazards and navigate by the environment around you.

On some trails, cairns or stacks of rocks can mark the path. It’s important not to damage these trail markers and not construct conflicting markers.

13) Preventing dehydration and heat stroke:

Heat stroke or dehydration are some of the biggest risks of hiking in the desert. Come prepared with one liter of water per HOUR hiking. Sipping water rehydrates better than chugging water. Wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing that covers your sin to protect from sunburn. Pay close attention to how your body feels and remember that there is no shame in turning back. Salty snacks can help keep hydrated as can electrolyte powders.

When I’m working as a guide I like to carry oral rehydration salts which are really gross but can make you feel better.

Read more about the risks and symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke.

14) Additional emergency gear

It’s super important to pack for the worst case scenario without packing heavy for any hike. Be sure to have the 10 hiking essentials, including navigation aid, sun protection, extra clothing for warmth, light like a headlamp or flashlight, first aid, emergency fire starter (lighter in ziplock, storm proof matches), a small repair or tool kit, snacks, water, and emergency shelter like a bivy.

READ: Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

Looking for more beginner-friendly hiking tips, hiking guides, and real-life trail stories delivered to your inbox every sunday? Join the Hello Stranger newsletter below!

love reading about how to hike in the desert? share this article on social media!