The result is a fascinating variety of desert plants, including the park's unmistakeable namesake, and animals - ranging from large herds of desert bighorn sheep and black-tailed jack rabbits to coyotes and kangaroo rats - make their homes in a land sculpted heat, strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. This national park has the distinction of encompassing two desert ecosystems: the Mojave and the Colorado. Hours: Day use and campground open 24 hours.Īdmission: Day use area, $7 campground, $20 boat launch, $5Īddress: 100-225 State Park Road, Mecca, CA (north shore)Ĭontact: 76 If you like the views and recreation of this state park, you'll love these Greater Phoenix lakes.Īlthough the national park has reopened for the public to enjoy, visitors are encouraged to review the alerts and conditions here. Of course, at this point you're asking why would this spot make our list, and the answer is simple: one-of-a-kind photo ops. While it's nothing like the resort town of decades past, the lake is an important stopover point for migrating birds, it's also the stage for spectacular sunsets and a variety of ever-changing public art ( think: small-scale Burning Man set against a post-apocalyptic landscape). But, in the '70s, heavy rain from a series of tropical storms caused the to flood its banks and devastated shoreline businesses and surrounding towns. The result was considered a "miracle in the desert." In the ’50 and ’60s it's warm water and sandy beaches drew droves of visitors – including Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis and other Hollywood elites – for a wide variety of recreation and relaxation activities. Hotels, motels, casinos and yacht clubs popped up along the lake’s 116-mile shoreline. While the history of this Basin dates back to ancient times, the lake was accidentally created by Colorado River runoff in 1905. Just about 30 minutes off of I-10 sits the Salton Sea. to 5:30 p.m.Īdmission: Adults, $13 children, $11 seniors and military, $10Īddress: 50770 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CAĬontact: 95 If you like the Cabazon Dinosaurs, you'll love Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs at Arizona Boardwalk. Bonus: Stop by Friday through Sunday and treat yourself to a prehistoric-themed ice cream treat from the Wafflesaurus Truck, which is open from 11:30 a.m. Rex's Dinosaur Adventure and the gift shop may be closed in accordance with CDC guidelines, the outdoor dinosaur trail and the photo ops are available seven days a week. No, seriously, the “world’s biggest outdoor display of prehistoric animals” debuted in 1975 and travelers of a certain age (though, not nearly as old) might recognize the super-sized tyrannosaurus rex and brontosaurus from such cult classics as “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” and “The Wizard.” Some roadside attractions can really withstand the test of time - which, in this case, is about 65 million years.
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