1. Know your desert. Read up on it before you go. Plan accordingly.

2. Check weather. It can be cold and hot in the same 24 hours.

3. Have portable shade at all times (umbrella, poncho shelter,etc).

4. Wear white, long sleeves, cotton blend shirts.

5. Never trust water reports, even on the same day.

6. File a flight plan with someone. A national park camping permit is not a flight plan.

7. Learn the prominent plants in the area.

8. Tweezers/pliers. (nuff said)

9. If hiking, go slow. It's a macro environment and lots of cool desert things are small and you might miss them.

10. If car camping...chill, lay in some shade all day, and soak in the solitude. You should be able to hear the soda/beer bubbles in your mouth like a distant applause.