The Best Deserts to Visit and Remote Wilderness Areas

Lake Baikal in southern Siberia is the deepest lake in the world. It contains more than 20 percent of the fresh surface water on Earth. In winter, the entire surface freezes solid, turning the region into a cold, dry desert of ice. The best months to visit are January, February, and March for ice driving, or July and August for warmer weather. Winter temperatures regularly drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius. The dry air makes the cold feel sharp but manageable if you wear the correct layers. Getting here requires a long trip. You must fly to Irkutsk and then take a bus or private car to the lake. The remote location means tourist infrastructure is basic outside the main villages.

The Matterhorn is a steep mountain in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It rises to 4478 meters above sea level. The pyramid shape makes it easy to recognize. June, July, August, and September are the best months to visit. During these summer months, the snow retreats from the lower trails, allowing for hiking. The air at this altitude is thin and dry. The peak is often hidden by clouds, even on clear days. Accommodation in Zermatt is highly expensive, and you cannot drive private cars into the town.

Lake Louise is a glacial lake located within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The lake sits high in the mountains where the air is dry and cool. It was first documented by non indigenous explorers in 1882. The best time to visit is from June to September. During these months, the lake melts and shows its bright turquoise color. The summer weather is pleasant, though mountain nights remain cold. The main drawback is the extreme crowding. Parking lots often fill up by 6 AM during July and August, forcing visitors to use shuttle buses.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located on the flat Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. It consists of an outer ring of standing sarsen stones topped by horizontal lintels. The structure aligns with the summer and winter solstices. May, June, July, and August offer the best weather for walking around the open plains. The wind across the plain is constant and can make the site feel very cold even in late spring. Standard tickets only allow you to view the stones from a distance. You are kept behind a rope barrier, which disappoints some travelers.

Whistler is a resort town located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It sits about 125 kilometers north of Vancouver. The area attracts over two million visitors annually for outdoor sports. January, February, and March are ideal for winter sports, while July and August are best for summer mountain biking. The alpine air is crisp and dry during the peak summer months. Traffic on the single highway from Vancouver can cause long delays on weekends. Lift tickets and lodging are among the most expensive in North America.

The Okavango Delta is a massive wetland system in Botswana. It forms where the Okavango River flows into the dry Kalahari Desert basin. Almost all the water that enters the delta eventually evaporates or seeps into the ground. June, July, August, and September are the best months to visit. This is the dry season when wildlife congregates around the water channels. Temperatures are moderate during the day but cold at night. Travel here is highly expensive because most lodges are remote and require charter flights to reach. Mosquitoes are common, and malaria medication is highly recommended.

Itaipu Dam is a giant hydroelectric dam on the Parana River between Brazil and Paraguay. It is the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world by energy production. The name means sounding stone in the local Guarani language. May, June, July, and August are the best months to visit when the weather is cooler and less humid. This makes walking across the concrete structure more comfortable. The site is highly industrialized and lacks natural scenery. Security is tight, so you must join a guided bus tour to see the main areas.

The Dolomites are a mountain range in northeastern Italy. They are part of the Southern Limestone Alps and feature dramatic, sheer rock walls. The dry limestone cliffs absorb heat and create unique local weather patterns. June, July, August, and September are the best months for hiking and climbing. The summer paths are clear of snow, and mountain huts are open. The roads through the mountain passes are narrow with sharp turns, making driving difficult for nervous drivers. High season crowds can clog the narrow trails.

Lofoten is an archipelago in northern Norway, located above the Arctic Circle. It features steep mountains rising straight from the open sea. Despite the high latitude, the islands experience milder temperatures due to ocean currents. June, July, and August are the best months to visit. During this time, the midnight sun provides 24 hours of daylight for exploring. The air is fresh and dry when the wind blows from the east. The weather changes rapidly, and heavy rain can ruin outdoor plans even in July. Public transport between the islands is infrequent, making a rental car necessary.

Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith in the red desert of central Australia. It is located 335 kilometers southwest of Alice Springs. The area is sacred to the local Anangu people and contains ancient rock paintings. May, June, July, August, and September are the best months to visit. Summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius, making outdoor activity dangerous. The winter months bring warm days and very cold nights. Climbing the rock is permanently banned out of respect for the traditional owners. Visitors must pay an entry fee to enter the national park.