List of mountain ranges of the Sonoran Desert facts for kids
The Sonoran Desert is a huge desert area in North America. It covers parts of Arizona and California in the United States, and Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. This desert is famous for its unique plants, like the giant saguaro cactus, and its many animals. But it's not just flat desert land! The Sonoran Desert is also home to many amazing mountain ranges. These mountains are like islands of rock and dirt rising from the desert floor. They create different habitats for plants and animals.
This article lists some of the main mountain ranges found in the Sonoran Desert. It focuses on mountains in southern Arizona and parts of California. It also includes some ranges from the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.
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What Makes Desert Mountains Special?
Desert mountains are unique because they often get more rain than the flat desert floor. This extra water allows different kinds of plants and animals to live there. The mountains can be cooler at higher elevations, providing a break from the desert heat. They also create different types of soil and rock, which affects what can grow. Many of these ranges are "sky islands" where cooler, wetter conditions create unique ecosystems.
Mountains in the Sonoran Desert
Many mountain ranges stretch across the Sonoran Desert. They are found in different states and regions. Here's a look at some of them, grouped by location.
Mountains in Arizona
Arizona has many mountain ranges that are part of the Sonoran Desert. These mountains are important for wildlife and offer beautiful views.
La Paz County Ranges
La Paz County, Arizona is in western Arizona. The Bill Williams River generally marks the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert here.
- Buckskin Mountains (Arizona)
- Chocolate Mountains (Arizona)
- Dome Rock Mountains
- Granite Wash Mountains
- Harcuvar Mountains
- Harquahala Mountains
- Kofa Mountains
- Little Buckskin Mountains
- Little Harquahala Mountains
- Little Horn Mountains
- Middle Mountains
- New Water Mountains
- Plomosa Mountains
- Trigo Mountains
Maricopa County Ranges
Maricopa County, Arizona is a large county in central Arizona, home to the city of Phoenix.
- Belmont Mountains
- Big Horn Mountains (Arizona)
- Crater Range
- Eagletail Mountains
- Gila Bend Mountains
- Goldfield Mountains
- Hieroglyphic Mountains
- Maricopa Mountains
- Mazatzal Mountains
- McDowell Mountains
- Painted Rock Mountains
- Phoenix Mountains
- Sand Tank Mountains
- Salt River Mountains
- Sierra Estrella
- Usery Mountains
- Vulture Mountains
- White Tank Mountains
Pima County Ranges
Pima County, Arizona is in southern Arizona and includes the city of Tucson.
- Agua Dulce Mountains
- Ajo Range
- Alvarez Mountains
- Artesa Mountains
- Baboquivari Mountains (Arizona)
- Batamote Mountains
- Bates Mountains
- Brownell Mountains
- Castle Mountains (Arizona)
- Cerro Colorado Mountains
- Cimarron Mountains
- Coyote Mountains (Arizona)
- Crooked Mountains
- Diablo Mountains (Arizona)
- Empire Mountains
- Gakolik Mountains
- Granite Mountains (Arizona)
- Growler Mountains
- John the Baptist Mountains
- La Lesna Mountains
- Las Guijas Mountains
- Little Ajo Mountains
- Mesquite Mountains
- North Comobabi Mountains
- Pozo Redondo Mountains
- Puerto Blanco Mountains
- Quijotoa Mountains
- Quinlan Mountains
- Roskruge Mountains
- San Luis Mountains
- Santa Rosa Mountains (Arizona)
- Sauceda Mountains
- Sheridan Mountains
- Sierra Blanca Mountains
- Sierra de la Nariz
- Sierra de Santa Rosa
- Sierrita Mountains
- Sikort Chuapo Mountains
- Silver Bell Mountains
- Sonoyta Mountains
- South Comobabi Mountains
- Tortolita Mountains
- Tucson Mountains
- Waterman Mountains
- West Silver Bell Mountains
Pinal County Ranges
Pinal County, Arizona is located south of Maricopa County.
- Mineral Mountains, Arizona
- Sacaton Mountains (Arizona)
- Tortolita Mountains
- West Silver Bell Mountains
Yavapai County Ranges
Yavapai County, Arizona is north of Maricopa County.
Yuma County Ranges
Yuma County, Arizona is in the southwest corner of Arizona.
- Agua Caliente Mountains
- Aguila Mountains
- Bryan Mountains
- Butler Mountains
- Cabeza Prieta Mountains
- Castle Dome Mountains
- Copper Mountains
- Gila Mountains (Yuma County)
- Kofa Mountains
- Laguna Mountains (Arizona)
- Little Horn Mountains
- Middle Mountains
- Mohawk Mountains
- Muggins Mountains
- New Water Mountains
- Palomas Mountains
- Sierra Arida
- Sierra de la Lechuguilla
- Sierra Pinta
- Tank Mountains
- Tinajas Altas Mountains
- Tule Mountains
Mountains in California
The Colorado Desert is a part of the Sonoran Desert located in southeastern California.
- Big Maria Mountains
- Cargo Muchacho Mountains
- Chocolate Mountains
- Chuckwalla Mountains
- Little Maria Mountains
- Little Mule Mountains
- McCoy Mountains
- Mule Mountains (California)
- Nopah Range
- Riverside Mountains
- Turtle Mountains (California)
- Whipple Mountains
Mountains in Mexico
The Sonoran Desert also extends into Mexico, especially in the states of Baja California and Sonora.
See also
- List of Madrean Sky Island mountain ranges - Sonoran - Chihuahuan Deserts
- List of mountain ranges of Arizona
