Amargosa Desert, Desert region in Nye County and Inyo County, United States.
The Amargosa Desert is a dry region spanning Nevada and California with elevations between 2,600 and 2,750 feet. A seasonal river winds through the terrain and creates green bands of vegetation in otherwise sparse land.
Humans have inhabited this region for around 10,000 years, starting with early hunter-gatherer groups. The Southern Paiute and Western Shoshone became the dominant peoples and shaped the area's cultural story.
The name comes from Spanish and refers to the bitter taste of the water that flows through the region. Local indigenous peoples shaped their way of life around the water sources found scattered across this landscape.
The area is easily reached via US Route 95 and State Route 373, which connect visitors to Las Vegas and Death Valley. The best time to explore is in fall and spring when temperatures are more moderate.
The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge sits within this desert and protects some of North America's rarest fish. The Shoshone pupfish exists only in a handful of springs, showing how unique ecosystems emerge in arid places.
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