death valley national park
Death Valley National Park, which stretches across a tiny portion of western Nevada and eastern California, is renowned for its huge desert vistas, unusual geological features, and extremely high temperatures. With 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the biggest National Park outside of Alaska. Nearly a thousand kilometers of both paved and unpaved roads connect you to both well-known and remote destinations.With its varied landscapes and harsh conditions, Death Valley National Park provides an unparalleled and unearthly experience, making it a fascinating destination for adventurous travelers.
BASIC FACTS ON DEATH VALLEY
LOCATION: California & Nevada
SIZE: 3.4 million acres (biggest national park outside of Alaska)
FOUNDED: October 31, 1994
BEST TIME TO VISIT: January, April (for the superbloom), and December
HOW MANY DAYS: 1-2 DAYS
ROAD TRIP SUGGESTION: California’s Deserts Road Trip
NOTE: Reservations might be required to enter the park during peak seasons and you might need additional info about the park in order to have a smooth travel. Please VISIT HERE for latest information about the park.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette. One of Death Valley’s most distinctive sceneries can be seen on the 9-mile picturesque drive known as Artist’s Drive. While there are other locations to pause and appreciate the scenery, Artist’s Palette is the ideal area to observe the hills in shades of pink, turquoise, and purple. Although you don’t need to hike to enjoy the view, you can if you’d like. However, please take note that vehicles over 25 feet are not permitted to drive on this road due to its narrowness and curves.
Badwater Basin. With a height below sea level of 282 feet, Badwater Basin is the lowest spot in the United States. Wide, level trail leading into the salt flats begins near the parking lot. From here, you may capture some really original shots as this is also a really wonderful location for photography.
Dante’s View. Dante’s View offers a broad perspective of Death Valley and is located alongside the Black Mountains. In Death Valley National Park, this is one of the best viewing sites. This vantage point offers overhead views of Badwater Basin and sweeping views of the park. The parking lot is only a short stroll from the viewpoints.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. An enjoyable and breathtaking approach to see another varied terrain in Death Valley either by taking a stroll among these sand dunes, let the children enjoy sand dunes playground or take an incredibly picturesque scenes of the sand dunes encircled by purple mountains.
Zabriske Point. Zabriske Point is one of Death Valley’s best-known point to see breathtaking peaks and remarkable rocky formations. Also, the park’s badlands can be seen in their entirety from here. You might choose to hike one of the trails into the hills from here, where you can enjoy views across the Badlands.
Ubehebe Crater. Ubehebe Crater is half a mile broad and 600 feet deep. There are three ways to see the crater: from the parking lot, via hiking into it, or by taking a 1.5-mile stroll around its rim. However, remember that while the hike down is simple, the climb back up can be quite taxing.
Golden Canyon. This is one of the most popular trails in Death Valley. The journey, which is three miles in total, winds through expansive canyons and ends with the Red Cathedral. Star Wars fans might identify the canyon’s mouth as “Jawa Canyon” from Episode IV: A New Hope.
Devils Golf Course. Huge salt flats with rough, uneven surfaces can be seen at Devil’s Golf Course. The saying “only the devil could play golf” on such a surface gave rise to the area’s name.
Telescope Peak. Hike to the park’s highest point, Telescope Peak. It rises to 11,043 feet (3,366 meters). It’s a strenuous 14-mile trek to the summit, but once there, you can see Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the US.
Stargazing. As an International Dark Sky Park, Death Valley National Park provides fantastic stargazing opportunities. The night sky is clearly visible because there are no city lights present. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the Badwater Basin, and the Harmony Borax Works are all excellent locations to see the night sky.
TOP EXPERIENCE
Racetrack Playa. Racetrack Playa is known for its mysterious moving rocks that leave tracks in the mud flats. The playa is remote, and a high-clearance vehicle is must with 4X4 recommended to reach it.
