Southwestern Gems: Our Desert National Parks (full documentary)

This Emmy-winning documentary showcases the top national parks, monuments, preserves and historic sites within the four major North American deserts. Stunning high-definition footage brings to life the majestic landscapes of The Great Basin Desert of Nevada and Utah; the Mojave Desert of California; the Sonoran Desert of Arizona; and the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico and Texas. The film captures the defining features and distinct character of each of these major desert areas, including the great temperature fluctuations of Great Basin National Park, the incredible cache of Jurassic-era fossils within Dinosaur National Monument, the geological riches of Death Valley National Park and the awe-inspiring spectacle of the world’s largest (and oldest) living trees in Sequoia National Park. Throughout, experts, researchers and rangers from national parks guide viewers through the biology, geology and research that inspired the protection and preservation of these natural treasures. This documentary originally aired in 2010.