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Cactus Be Damned! We’ve Found 12 Very Cool Desert Dwellings

Deserts often evoke barren landscapes with occasional cacti and tumbleweeds. But they can also provide a breathtaking backdrop to call home. Areas where prospectors and ranchers once flocked are now drawing artists inspired by the remote locales and stunning surroundings.

Six states are lucky enough to be touched by desert climes. As winter winds down, it’s time to consider the drier side of the United States for a vacation rental, or even to live year-round. Bonus: You’ll escape the soul-crushing weather most other parts of the country must endure. (Of course, the summer heat is another story…) While some of these deserts offer natural wonders aplenty, many are close to lively communities and offer eye-catching architecture as well.

We’ve rounded up 12 of the coolest homes in the hottest places. Bring along plenty of water and journey with us into these dynamic desert dwellings.

12237 W Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ

Price: $545,000
Hot habitat: Custom-built in 2012, this 2,205-square-foot home comes with  8 saguaro-studded acres. The home features beamed cathedral ceilings, walls of glass, a kitchen with breakfast bar, master suite with spa, and spacious patio. Nature lovers will appreciate being minutes from Saguaro National Park West.

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613 Indian Head Ranch Rd, Borrego Springs, CA

Price: $799,000
Hot habitat: No, this isn’t a mirage. This desert oasis is the ultimate SoCal retreat. The four-bedroom, Spanish-style abode comes with 8 acres of desert landscaping. The outdoor space features multiple courtyards, a roof deck, and a pool. Indoors, there’s a large living area with stone floors, a kitchen that opens to a family room with built-in book shelves, and a fireplace.

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9332 E Grapevine Pass, Scottsdale, AZ

Price: $2,998,000
Hot habitat: This brand-new contemporary measures 4,700 square feet and sits on 2.41 acres adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. Designed by Terry Kilbane, the home boasts clean lines and open living spaces. There’s a master suite, three guest suites, and an office. Outside there’s a pool and patio with lounging and dining spaces and, of course, mountain views.

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434 E Ridgeview Cir, Ivins, UT

Price: $649,000
Hot habitat: On the northern edge of the Mojave Desert, you’ll find this Pueblo-revival style home. The modern, open layout measures 2,800 square feet and has three bedrooms and a chef’s kitchen.

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61875 Anaconda Dr, Joshua Tree, CA

Price: $585,000
Hot habitat: Think Joshua Tree is just for car camping? Think again. This cute contemporary home is perched on 2 acres and is within view of the Joshua Tree National Park west entrance. Built in 1983, the home has been redone with ultramodern touches, including concrete floors, sliding glass doors, and sleek cabinetry. Walk out the door and onto a hiking trail, then return and rinse off in the outdoor shower. When it cools down at night, take a soak in the outdoor hot tub and gaze at the stars.

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53075 Boulder View Dr, Pioneertown, CA

Price: $595,000
Hot habitat: The newer build is a “stellar desert-getaway property” that’s currently a popular rental known as the Black Lava Lodge. The property “fuses function with fun” and is located close to hiking trails and nature. The two-bedroom abode sits on 3.77 acres and offers breathtaking views and indoor-outdoor living spaces. The space includes a bunkhouse, custom-stained concrete decking, gas fire pit, spa, and RV hookups. Best of all? You can rent it out when you’re not using it.

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4935 E New River Rd, Cave Creek, AZ

Price: $525,000
Hot habitat: Get a feel for the Old West in this log cabin in the Sonoran Desert. The layout includes vaulted pine ceilings, exposed beams, and a stone fireplace. And be sure to bring along your horses. The spread includes an arena, round pen, and five-stall barn.

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8402 E Carefree Dr, Carefree, AZ

Price: $1,025,000
Hot habitat: For those who want a respite from the snow, here’s a low-maintenance option in the Sonoran Desert. This remodeled contemporary has $800,000 invested in custom finishes and design. The 5,880-square-foot home has new wood floors, a new kitchen with high-end appliances, and a living room with sliding glass doors that open to a pool.

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309 N Highland Ave, Marfa, TX

Price: $950,000
Hot habitat: Go modern in Marfa! The high-desert town in West Texas is located between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. And you can live in a masterwork of design—a 1905 home that was “extensively renovated” in 2005. With clean and sleek lines, the effect, according to the New York Times, is “of overwhelming serenity, as if everything is precisely where it should be.”

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5048 Rock House Rd, Las Cruces, NM

Price: $536,000
Hot habitat: This Southwest-style retreat on 2.5 acres has a formal living and dining area, eat-in kitchen, colorful tile, and family room with wet bar. There’s also a workout room and a relaxation room with a sauna. Sit out on the covered patio and enjoy views of the Organ Mountains.

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30 Sandia Heights Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM

Price: $650,000
Hot habitat: Say hello to your adobe abode. Take the edge off in the round living room, which features a bank of windows, a beamed ceiling, and fireplace. The 3,765-square-foot home has four bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, and master retreat. The lower level has a second living area and walkout to a private patio.

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6701 N Thimble Pass, Tucson, AZ

Price: $975,000
Hot habitat: This rustic retreat has a serious “wow” factor. It’s perched high above Ventana Canyon on almost 7 acres with views of the city, canyon, and stars. Drink in the desert views with floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. The layout also includes an updated kitchen, wood floors, fireplace, and stone entry wall with a waterfall.

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