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 e6acre. 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 long, between 6 and 13 mi 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 e6acre of wilderness and rich cultural history make it a lifetime's work to explore all that the valley has to offer.

Understand
A land of extremes and superlatives, there are locations within the park that allow the visitor to see both the lowest and highest elevations in the 48 contiguous United States on a clear day. For a bit of comparison on how diverse the park actually is, the park's highest and lowest points of elevation are both higher and lower than Australia's highest and lowest peak.

It features the hottest recorded temperature, reports the lowest annual precipitation, and the tallest sand dunes.

History
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 e6acre and declared a national park.

Landscape


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 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 above sea level and lies  from the lowest point in the United States in the Badwater Basin salt pan,  below sea level. The California Desert Protection Act added most of the Saline, Eureka, northern Panamint, and Greenwater valleys to the Park.

Flora and fauna
Animal life is varied, and numerous species of reptiles, birds and mammals populate Death Valley, adapting well to the desert environment. However, many of these animals have a nocturnal lifestyle in order to escape the searing climate and can be difficult to spot.

The largest native mammal in the area, and perhaps the best studied member of the fauna, is the desert bighorn sheep. Small herds of sheep are most commonly found in the mountains surrounding Death Valley but at least occasionally visit the valley floor. Look for these animals near the springs and seeps that can be found throughout the park.

Over 350 species of birds are now known to inhabit or visit the area. And even native fish are to be found in Death Valley - several forms of desert pupfish of the genus Cyprinodon live in Salt Creek and other permanent bodies of water.

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.

Very little rain falls in the valley, but rainfall in the mountains often sends floodwaters roaring down narrow canyons, scouring boulders, rocks and soil along the way and eventually depositing them in the valley. These deposits are evident in the form of gigantic alluvial fans seen throughout the valley. Many of these fans reach over a mile (1.6 km) wide and are the product of hundreds and thousands of years of this process. The granular structure of these fans is also interesting to note as you will commonly see the larger boulders near the top of these structures and as you go further and further down, the granularity becomes finer and finer until you are finally left with the salts on the valley floor.

The higher elevations of the Panamint Range reach up to at Telescope Peak and are usually covered with snow from November to May, making a breathtaking backdrop to this unique desert climate.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By plane
Las Vegas at Harry Reid International Airport is the closest commercial airport to Death Valley, about a, 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.

By train
The nearest city with an Amtrak station is Barstow, which is served by the Southwest Chief Chicago - Los Angeles route.

By car
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):
 * via Pahrump and Death Valley Junction - most direct to Furnace Creek: take NV 160 west (Blue Diamond Road) to Pahrump; continue north on NV 160 from Pahrump to Belle Vista Ave., continues into California and becomes State Line Rd; from Death Valley Junction take CA 190 west into the park towards Furnace Creek.
 * via Beatty and Lathrop Wells - most direct to Stovepipe Wells: take US 95 north from Las Vegas; in Beatty, from US 95 take NV 374 south, continues into California and becomes Daylight Pass Rd.; Daylight Pass Rd. ends at CA 190 about east of Stovepipe Wells and  north of Furnace Creek.
 * via Amargosa Valley: take US 95 north from Las Vegas; from US 95 take NV 373 south, continues into California, becomes CA 127; just north of Death Valley Junction take CA 190 west into the park towards Furnace Creek.
 * via Pahrump and Shoshone: take NV 160 west (Blue Diamond Road) to Pahrump; take NV 372 south, continues into California, becomes CA 178; at Shoshone, continue with the "from the south" directions.

From the west:


 * Going north on US 395 take CA 190 east from Olancha, through Panamint Springs and over Towne Pass (elevation ). This road is steep and narrow along some sections and is slow going for vehicles pulling trailers.
 * Alternate shorter route (by ) going north on US 395 take Trona Rd from Johannesburg. This becomes Trona Wildrose Rd after the town of Trona. Turn left onto Panamint Valley Rd, then turn right onto CA 190 east into the valley.
 * Going south on US 395 take CA 136 east from Lone Pine to CA 190 east through Panamint Springs and proceed as above.

From the north:


 * From US 95 in Nevada, take NV 267 west from Scotty's Junction towards Scotty's Castle.

Many other more adventurous routes into the park are also available particularly for high clearance and 4x4 vehicles. The route in from the Eureka Dunes in the north is notable along with the route from the Panamint Valley through Emigrant Pass from the southwest and the southern route on CA 178 west from Shoshone.

From the south (via Shoshone):


 * From I-15 take the exit for CA 127 when you reach the tiny town of Baker. Proceed north on CA 127 for to the microscopic town of Shoshone. Just one mile (1.6 km) north of Shoshone is the turnoff for CA 178 which leads you into the Park.
 * If you want to go to Badwater go west on CA 178 for more. The road will cease to be CA 178 after several miles. Although in earlier years the condition deteriorated quickly, many portions of this road both outside and inside the park have been resurfaced. High speeds are not advised in most areas, since there are usually no shoulders and the surface may suddenly change as you move from new to old pavement. Avoid using this route at night if possible. This road also passes the Artists Drive formation loop.
 * If you don't want to take the shortcut to Badwater you can continue north on CA 127 for when it meets with CA 190 and enter the park from there. This road passes Zabriskie Point, and meets the Badwater Road just before Furnace Creek.

Note on route designations: "CA 127" means "California State Route 127" and "NV 373" means "Nevada State Route 373." The signs for each state are different. Nevada has a rectangular sign with a white shape of the state with black numbers while California's signs are in the shape of a spade and green with white numbers.

Fees and permits
Entrance fees valid for seven days. Fees as of 2020 are:
 * $15 - per individual on foot or bike
 * $25 - per motorcycle
 * $30 - per vehicle
 * $55 Death Valley Annual Pass

Unlike other national parks, few of the roads into Death Valley National Park have road-blocking ranger-manned fee booths. You are expected to pay the entrance fee though, and there are automatic kiosks at several places in the park.

Get 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.

While well maintained paved roads traverse the park from east to west and to the south, most park features other than the visitor center will require some degree of off road travel. In most cases, this will consist of graded dirt or gravel roads. This should not be a problem for a sensibly driven SUV but all drivers should exercise caution: don't leave Furnace Creek without a full tank of gas, make sure your spare tire is serviceable, carry enough water for all passengers to last at least 24 hours (1 quart / 1 litre per person minimum), don't rely on a cell phone in an emergency, carry a detailed park map and know how to read it. There is likely no other place in the lower 48 states where a traveller could so easily fall off the beaten path than in Death Valley. This advice is not meant to scare you but to remind you that overland travel in the park is serious business. The best way to travel in the park and to see the most is a with a high-clearance 4x4. This designation is used throughout the park maps to describe what vehicles should or could attempt certain routes. Only short sections of some routes might be classified as hard core but what makes the park so challenging is the length of some of the roads. Most tours into remote areas require at least an 8-hour commitment if starting from Furnace Creek, so plan accordingly. Before planning any driving off of the paved roads check with the visitor center or the park website for the latest road condition updates.

The most important thing you can do is let someone you trust know about your travel plans, and when they should expect to hear from you when you get back to civilization.

Death Valley and Furnace Creek






Backcountry sights








Do
There are numerous hiking trails within the park, ranging in difficulty from short loops to overnight, mountainous treks. Always bring sufficient water when hiking in Death Valley; the heat can kill.

Photography is another popular activity. The odd geologic formations in the park are great for early morning and late evening photography, although during the day the harsh sun tends to wash out most photographs. During March and April the wildflowers within the valley bloom, making it a particularly photogenic time of year.

The clear desert air, scarcity of clouds, and a great lack of nearby light pollution makes Death Valley an ideal spot for stargazing. Ideally come during a new moon to fully appreciate the darkness of the night sky.

Death Valley has numerous high-clearance roads that offer a challenge for four-wheel driving enthusiasts. Driving off-road is not permitted.

Bicycles are allowed on all roads in the park, including the many rough, trail-like backcountry roads that attract four-wheel drive enthusiasts. As with motor vehicles, riding off-road is not permitted.

Other park activities include:



Gas
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.
 * Furnace Creek Gas Station, 8AM-6PM (24 hours a day by credit card) on CA 190.
 * Stovepipe Wells Gas Station, 7AM-9PM. On CA 190 (regular gas only, usually cheapest in Death Valley proper).
 * Panamint Springs, on CA 190 west.

Drink
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.

Within the park
There are 4 in-park lodging facilities in Death Valley National Park.

Outside of the park

 * Death Valley Junction is the closest town outside of Death Valley, about 30 minutes away from the Furnace Creek visitor's center. It has one hotel and a theatre.
 * Beatty is a town outside (northeast) of Death Valley located in Nevada, about 45 minutes from Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells. It's a very cheap option.
 * Lone Pine is two hours west of the park (from Stovepipe Wells), located in California.
 * Shoshone is an hour southeast of the park (from Furnace Creek), located in California.
 * Pahrump is about an hour east of the park (from Furnace Creek), located in Nevada.

Camping




Backcountry
Backcountry camping is allowed 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.

Stay safe
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.

If you are going a significant distance on any of the unpaved roads, phone a friend and tell them where you are going, when you will be back, when you will phone them again to tell them you are safe, and give them an emergency number to call if you don't get back in touch with them by a chosen deadline. Some of the unimproved roads eat tires for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you could lose your spare tire too. If a road advises high clearance, 4WD vehicles, take that seriously. In addition, make sure you have more than enough fuel; roads may be impassable and can require unforeseen detours. Don't rely on a GPS routing alone. Figure out where you're going on the official national park map first, then make sure the GPS device precisely follows the same route. If in doubt as to a route's safety or your vehicle's ability to make it, return to established paved roads sooner rather than later.

While it rarely rains in Death Valley, when it does, it can rain quite heavily and the sun-baked ground has little capacity to absorb it, sometimes leading to flash floods. Don't enter any narrow canyons if rain or storms are forecast. Flash flooding can occur in areas without rain in the immediate vicinity due to rain further up the canyon.

Cell phone service does not exist in most of the park, so don't count on being able to use it in an emergency. However, in an emergency, try 911 anyway: even if you have no service it may connect with another carrier. If using maps on your phone, download maps before you go. Take a paper map with you, and know how to read it.

Connect
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, but only when it is open.

Furnace Creek has reliable 3G service for Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint (others may function but, there is no confirmation of this).

Some high peaks do receive signal, however, this is not to be counted on but, should be attempted in an emergency.

Go next

 * Mount Whitney (west) - the tallest mountain in the lower forty-eight states, Mt Whitney is west of the park on CA 190.
 * Eastern Sierra (west) - the Sierra Nevada mountains west of the park on CA 190 provide an ideal region for backpackers.
 * Mojave National Preserve (south) in the Mojave Desert south of Death Valley. And Joshua Tree National Park further south of Mojave National Preserve.
 * Las Vegas (east) - America's playground, Sin City can be reached via numerous routes from the south and east exits of the park.