Death Valley National Park California

Death Valley National Park Overview

Death Valley National Park is the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the United States. Daytime temperatures have topped 130 °F (54 °C). It is also home to Badwater Basin, the lowest elevation in North America at -282 below sea level.

The park features a diversity of colorful canyons, desolate badlands, shifting sand dunes and sprawling mountains. There are also over 1000 species of plants populate this geologic region. Additional points of interest include salt flats, ghost towns, mines and other historic sites.

Camping options include backcountry, primitive and development campgrounds. Furnace Creek Campground (136 campsites / 18 with hookups) takes reservations and usually fills up in the spring and fall months. Sunset (270 sites), Texas Springs (92 sites) and Stovepipe Wells (190 sites) are the three other large developed campgrounds. More primitive and remote campgrounds include Mesquite Spring (30 sites), Emigrant (10 tent only sites), Wildrose (23 sites), Thorndike (6 sites) and Mahogany Flat (10 sites). Panamint City ghost town is also a popular backcountry camping destination for backpackers. It requires a 5.5 mile hike (3,675′ elevation gain) through beautiful Surprise Canyon.

Death Valley National Park – Outdoor Recreation & Activities

Outdoor recreation includes backpacking, hiking, exploring backcountry roads, OHVing, picnicking, stargazing, biking and horseback riding. Wildlife viewing is also popular. There are also many historic ghost towns and other sites to visit.

You can also see more information at the National Park Service website.