No.
Deserts can be found north and south of the equator.
Mainly in the western parts
deserts
These deserts extend into the state of Utah: Great Basin Desert Colorado Plateau Desert Mojave Desert
They most likely would not. They would be far more likely to settle by a source of water, fertile land and ample game.
Nevada - it is almost entirely covered in deserts.
deserts
The major deserts of the United States are in the southwestern region in the states of:CaliforniaNevadaArizonaNew MexicoTexasUtahColorado
In the desert, most likely in Southern Utah somewhere
Northern Mexico, as it is dominated by the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.
All the major deserts are located in the southwestern states of: California Nevada Arizona New Mexico Texas Utah Colorado.