Death Valley National Park
Discover Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a national park that is mostly in the Southern California Desert, with a small portion extending into Nevada. Many potential visitors ignore the park due to the misconception that it is a lifeless, empty landscape, but this park covers 3.4 million acres (1,400,000 ha; 14,000 km). It is the largest national park in the contiguous 48 states of the USA and the second largest park in the contiguous 48, only behind Adirondack State Park in New York. The valley is 130 mi (210 km) long, between 6 and 13 miles (9.7 and 20.9 km) wide, and is surrounded by steep mountain ranges: the Panamint mountains to the west, and the Black, Funeral, and Grapevine mountains to the east. Its 3 million acres (1,200,000 ha) of wilderness and rich cultural history make it a lifetime's work to explore all that the valley has to offer.
What to Experience in Death Valley National Park
Taste of Death Valley National Park...
Drinks are available at the Inn at Death Valley in Furnace Creek. Water is available in developed areas; during spring, summer and autumn be sure to stock up before attempting even a short hike. There are 4 in-park lodging facilities in Death Valley National Park. Backcountry camping is allowed 2 mi (3.2 km) away from any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area. Due to the rough dirt roads, backcountry roadside camping is generally only accessible to visitors with high clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles, or well-equipped mountain bikes. Follow Desert Survival guidelines. The name of the park says it all. Unprepared tourists die each year within the borders of the park. Make sure you have plenty of water (at least 1 gallon/4 liters per day, per person) for your activities, whether it be on a back-country trail, or on the main highway. A good rule of thumb is to always carry enough food and water for an additional 3–4 days longer than you intend to visit. Should you become stranded while driving, stay with your vehicle as it is likely to provide the only shade in the area and is more likely to be spotted. Pack plenty of water for your car in case of overheating, especially in summer. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders are present in the park. Never place your hands or feet where you cannot see first.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Death Valley National Park into what it is today.
The first non-Native Americans arrived in Death Valley in 1849 looking for a shortcut to the California gold fields. Although only one member of their party died, the name Death Valley was given to the area. Various mining operations used the valley afterwards, most notably for borax mining. When mining prospects went sour, the Pacific Coast Borax Company lobbied for federal protection of Death Valley, in order to develop tourism. President Hoover declared about two million acres of the area a national monument in 1933. In 1994 the monument was expanded by 1.3 million acres (530,000 ha) and declared a national park. Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in North America and one of the hottest places in the world. It is also a vast geological museum, containing examples of most of the earth's geological eras. Death Valley National Park includes all of Death Valley, a 130 mi (210 km) long north/south-trending trough that formed between two major block-faulted mountain ranges: the Amargosa Range on the east and the Panamint Range on the west. Telescope Peak, the highest peak in the park and in the Panamint Mountains, rises 11,049 ft (3,368 m) above sea level and lies 15 mi (24 km) from the lowest point in the United States in the Badwater Basin salt pan, 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. The California Desert Protection Act added most of the Saline, Eureka, northern Panamint, and Greenwater valleys to the Park....
Climate
Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world during summer, and air temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C) are common during June, July, August and September. The hottest recorded temperature in the world was measured in the park in 1913 at a blazing 134 °F (57 °C) (a measurement of 136 °F recorded in Libya in 1922 has since been dismissed due to questions over its accuracy). Since it is often up to four degrees hotter near Badwater than it is near Furnace Creek where the official record was recorded, it is entirely likely that Death Valley should hold the title as the hottest place on Earth. Fortunately, temperatures from November through March are mild with highs averaging in the 60s and 70s °F (15-25°C) with winter nighttime lows usually in the 40s °F (5-10°C). This makes the winter and early spring the best seasons to visit.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsLas Vegas at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the closest commercial airport to Death Valley, about a 120 mi (190 km), two-hour drive from Furnace Creek. There are also three small airstrips within the park for private plane access at Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek, and Saline Valley. The nearest city with an Amtrak station is Barstow, which is served by the Southwest Chief Chicago - Los Angeles route. There is no public transportation to and from the park. You would need to rent a car from Las Vegas, Barstow or Pahrump. If you get stranded in the park, you can have a rental car delivered from Pahrump, Nevada, about one hour away from Furnace Creek. From the east (Las Vegas; with several routes, you may want to consider your destination within the part to determine a suitable route): Many other more adventurous routes into the park are also available particularly for high clearance and 4x4 vehicles....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
A car is highly recommended although during the more temperate seasons such as the fall and spring a nice bike ride may be in order. But beware that climatic conditions in the park can be extreme so always check the weather forecast prior to entering and plan your activities accordingly. Note that most weather forecasts for the park refer to locations within the low altitude portion of the park and weather conditions at higher elevations can be dramatically different. The paved roads within the park are well-maintained and accessible to vehicles of all kinds, but dirt roads (with the exception of the west side around the Badwater Salt Flats) are rough. Many use a vehicle with moderately high clearance such as a four-wheel drive, but a 4-wheel drive is not essential to visit any of the main sights listed below (except Echo Canyon). Expect excessive washboarding, erosion, large rocks, and uneven surfaces when traveling on the park's dirt roads.
Where to Stay
There are 4 in-park lodging facilities in Death Valley National Park. Backcountry camping is allowed 2 mi (3.2 km) away from any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area. Due to the rough dirt roads, backcountry roadside camping is generally only accessible to visitors with high clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles, or well-equipped mountain bikes. Follow Desert Survival guidelines. The name of the park says it all. Unprepared tourists die each year within the borders of the park. Make sure you have plenty of water (at least 1 gallon/4 liters per day, per person) for your activities, whether it be on a back-country trail, or on the main highway. A good rule of thumb is to always carry enough food and water for an additional 3–4 days longer than you intend to visit. Should you become stranded while driving, stay with your vehicle as it is likely to provide the only shade in the area and is more likely to be spotted.
Money & Budget
Although you can get gas in the park it typically costs up to a dollar more per gallon than outside the park. It is recommended to fuel up right outside the park before coming in. If coming from the east (Nevada), fuel up before crossing the state line into California, due to less gas tax in Nevada. But once in the park, don't try to eke out with just enough gas. The results can be fatal if you are stuck in the wilderness or can just be costly if you need to get gas brought to you by a tow truck. Drinks are available at the Inn at Death Valley in Furnace Creek. Water is available in developed areas; during spring, summer and autumn be sure to stock up before attempting even a short hike. There are 4 in-park lodging facilities in Death Valley National Park.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Follow Desert Survival guidelines. The name of the park says it all. Unprepared tourists die each year within the borders of the park. Make sure you have plenty of water (at least 1 gallon/4 liters per day, per person) for your activities, whether it be on a back-country trail, or on the main highway. A good rule of thumb is to always carry enough food and water for an additional 3–4 days longer than you intend to visit. Should you become stranded while driving, stay with your vehicle as it is likely to provide the only shade in the area and is more likely to be spotted. Pack plenty of water for your car in case of overheating, especially in summer. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders are present in the park. Never place your hands or feet where you cannot see first.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Death Valley National Park
Artists Palate
centralized photography of asphalt road
a view of a mountain range in the desert
brown rock formation during daytime
brown and white rocky mountain
2 for the view
A beautiful lookout point from one of the many off-road trails in Death Valley National Park.
a full moon rises over a desert landscape
Death Valley rolling hills.
a landscape with hills and trees
Artists Palate
centralized photography of asphalt road
a view of a mountain range in the desert