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The Chihuahuan Desert

The Chihuahuan Desert is largest of the North American deserts. From where the park is located, it extends almost 200 miles (322 km) north and 600 miles (966km) south.  Most of the 250,000 square mile desert is located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. This is where the desert got its name.

The climate of the Chihuahuan Desert is relatively mild compared with other deserts, partially due to an elevation that averages 4,500 feet (1,372 m) above sea level.  Summers are hot, while winters can be cold. The wet season (July through September) brings more than 50% of the average annual precipitation. In this region of the Chihuahuan Desert, the average annual precipitation is 8.9 inches (22.6 cm).

The Chihuahuan Desert is one of the most biologically diverse deserts on the planet. It ranks #1 among deserts for the number of aquatic species and the number of mammal species. More than 300 species of cacti are found here.