Domed peaks and dramatic, eroded pinnacles tower to more than 4,000 feet above valley floors and steep-walled canyons. From the heights, you'll see the Colorado River flowing placidly to the east. The bajadas that flow westward from the mountains are broken by isolated lava rock masses and red sandstone outcroppings. Sonoran creosote bush scrub and Sonoran thorns are scattered throughout the area, as are dense clusters of paloverde, ironwood, smoke tree, and cholla. Saguaro, foxtail, and Mojave prickly pear cactuses all grow here.
Seasonal rains pour down numerous washes that are typically dry.
The Whipples support a variety of desert wildlife.