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Posted in Wyoming May 05, 2020 by Kim Magaraci

The Red Desert Is A Startling Wasteland In Wyoming That’s Visible From Space

When you take a look at the Cowboy State from space, you’ll notice that the sage brush flats and rocky peaks of Wyoming are broken up by one large red stripe jutting up from the southern border.

This remarkable sight is Wyoming's Red Desert - and it's a fascinating and remote place.

The desert stretches for more than 9,300 miles across the Great Divide Basin, and if you head into this wasteland, be prepared! There are no services for miles, the road can be rough, and the sun is unforgiving.

Chances are, you won't see another soul. This is one of the most barren and remote parts of an already pretty remote state.

You won't be completely alone, though. The Red Desert is home to a fascinating ecosystem that includes feral horses, pronghorn, mule deer, and more.

These horses are the ancestors of European horses that escaped their human counterparts years ago and have learned to live off the land.

Part of the Red Desert extends into the Upper Green River Valley, shown here. Every year, elk, Pronghorn, and mule deer head from the Green River Basin into the Tetons along a Migration Corridor.

This migration path is actually one of the longest-distance deer corridors documented so far! So, even though Wyoming's Red Desert may look pretty empty to you, it's an important part of the Rocky Mountain ecosystem.

If the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a desert is a flat wasteland, the Red Desert might blow your mind. You'll find mountains, canyons and more in this dry desert space.

The Killpecker Sand Dunes are part of the northernmost corner of the Red Desert. These "singing" sand dunes are considered a wonder of the world.

Make plans to explore Wyoming's Red Desert this year and you'll discover a corner of the Earth that's remained unchanged for centuries.

You can learn more about the remarkable Red Desert on the ArcGIS website, here, where you’ll also find satellite views that showcase just how vast this wild region is when you view it from space.

Address: Red Desert, WY 82336, USA

Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com