Death Valley | region, California, United States | Britannica.com region, California, United States Death Valley National Park Death Valley, structural depression primarily in Inyo county, southeastern California , U.S. It is the lowest, hottest, driest portion of the North American continent. Death Valley is about 140 miles (225 km) long, trends roughly north-south, and is from 5 to 15 miles (8 to 24 km) wide. The valley is bounded on the west by the Panamint Range and on the east by the Black, Funeral, and Grapevine mountains of the Amargosa Range . It lies near the undefined border between the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert . The diverse landscapes of California, from Mount Whitney to Death Valley. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Death Valley National Park in the Great Basin, southeastern California, U.S. Joseph Sohm—Choromosohm/Photo Researchers Geologically, Death Valley forms part of the southwestern portion of the Great Basin. It is similar to other structural basins of the region but is unique in its depth.

Portions of the great salt pan that forms part of the floor of the valley are the lowest land areas of the Americas. About 550 square miles (1,425 square km) of the valley’s floor lie below sea level . A point in Badwater Basin, lying 282 feet (86 metres) below sea level, is the lowest area in North America . Less than 20 miles (30 km) west is the 11,049-foot (3,368-metre) Telescope Peak , the area’s highest point. Death Valley was an obstacle to movements of pioneer settlers (whence its name was derived) and later was a centre of borax exploitation; its extreme environment now attracts tourists and scientists. Physical environment For a short time after its christening in 1849 by a hapless party of emigrants who endured intense suffering while crossing it, Death Valley was little known except to Native Americans (primarily Shoshone ) of the area and to prospectors searching the surrounding mountains. The first scientific notice of the valley seems to have been a brief mention published in 1868 by a California state geologist.

The area remained seldom visited until the 1870s, when gold and silver were discovered in the surrounding mountains, and 1880s, when borax deposits were found in the valley. Borax production, notably at the Harmony Borax Works (1883–88), gave rise to the famous 20-mule team wagons, which hauled the product to Mojave, California. Several ghost towns are located around the valley, and some still contain ruined buildings. They sprang up from the late 19th to the early 20th century following gold, copper, and silver strikes in the area. Deserted when the mines were depleted, each existed for only a few years. For example, Rhyolite, founded in 1904, was a gold-mining boomtown of 10,000 people with its own stock exchange, electric plant, and opera; in 1911 the main mine was closed, and the town was deserted by 1916.

Similar Topics Central Valley The geologic history of Death Valley is extremely complex and involves different types of fault activity at various periods, in addition to crustal sinking and even some volcanic activity. Essentially, Death Valley is a graben, or rift valley, formed by the sinking of a tremendous expanse of rock lying between parallel uplifted, tilted-block mountain ranges to the east and west. A type of fault activity called block faulting , in which the movement is predominantly vertical, began to form the valley about 30 million years ago. As crustal blocks sank, they formed the great trough of the valley, and other blocks were uplifted to gradually form the adjacent mountain ranges. As the valley sank, it was filled by sediments that were eroded from the surrounding hills; in the central part of the valley the bedrock floor is buried beneath as much as 9,000 feet (2,745 metres) of sediment. The valley floor has continued to tilt and sink. USA Facts The floor of Death Valley is noted for its extremes of temperature and aridity.

A record world and North American high shaded air temperature of 134 °F (57 °C) was recorded in 1913, and summer temperatures often exceed 120 °F (49 °C). The hottest summer on record in the valley (1996) saw temperatures top 120 °F on 40 days. Ground temperatures as high as 201 °F (94 °C) have been reported. The high temperatures and low humidity contribute to an exceptionally high evaporation rate. Britannica Stories Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent Winter minimum temperatures rarely fall to the freezing point; the record lowest temperature was 15 °F (−9 °C). Most rainfall is blocked by the mountains to the west, so the valley is extremely arid. In a 50-year period in the 20th century, the average annual rainfall at Furnace Creek was only 1.66 inches (42.2 mm), the maximum annual rainfall was 4.5 inches (114.3 mm), and two years passed with no measurable rainfall.

Most of the surface water in Death Valley is in the saline ponds and marshes around the salt pan. The Amargosa River brings some water into the southern end of the valley from desert areas to the east, but most of its flow is underground. Salt Creek, draining the northern arm of the valley, also has only short stretches of perennial surface flow. At times in the past, much more water reached Death Valley. During the Wisconsin Glacial Stage of the Pleistocene Epoch, perhaps about 50,000 years ago, a body of water ( Lake Manly) filled the valley to a depth of as much as 600 feet (180 metres). More recently, some 2,000 to 5,000 years ago, a shallow lake occupied the floor of the valley, its evaporation producing the present salt pan. Plant and animal life Lack of water makes Death Valley a desert, but it is by no means devoid of life. Plant life above the microscopic level is absent from the salt pan, but salt-tolerant pickleweed, salt grass, and rushes grow around the springs and marshes at its edges.

Introduced tamarisks provide shade around some of the springs and in the inhabited areas at Furnace Creek, but, because they crowd out native vegetation, eradication efforts are ongoing. Mesquite flourishes where less-saline water is available. Creosote bush dominates the gravel fan surfaces around most of the valley, giving way to desert holly at the lowest elevations. Cactus is rare in the lowest part of the valley but abundant on the fans farther north. Higher elevations support juniper and piñon pine. Spring rains bring out a great variety of desert wildflowers. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Animal life is varied, although nocturnal habits conceal many of the animals from visitors to the valley. Rabbits and several types of rodents, including antelope ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, and desert wood rats, are present and are the prey of coyotes, kit foxes, and bobcats. The largest native mammal in the area, and perhaps the best-studied member of the fauna, is the desert bighorn . Small herds of these sheep are most commonly found in the mountains surrounding Death Valley, but they occasionally visit the valley floor.

Wild burros , descendants of animals lost or abandoned by prospectors and miners, became so numerous as to threaten, through overgrazing, the natural vegetation on which other animals depend. Burro removal began in the 1960s, and live-capture efforts were subsequently attempted in hopes of eliminating the population. Though it may seem that the only birds present are the raucous and numerous ravens, the first biological survey of the valley, in the 1890s, reported 78 species of birds. More than three times that number are now known to inhabit or visit the area, the roadrunner being a particularly well-known resident. Lizards, snakes (including rattlesnakes such as sidewinders), and scorpions are common. Even native fish are to be found in Death Valley. Several species of pupfish of the genus Cyprinodon live in Salt Creek and other permanent bodies of water; the highly endangered Devils Hole pupfish (C. diabolis) lives in a single desert pool. Death Valley National Park Death Valley National Park covers some 5,270 square miles (13,650 square km) of the valley, primarily in California.

Much of the park’s northeastern border is the Nevada state line, but a small portion extends into Nevada’s Bullfrog Hills. Inyo National Forest and the Inyo Mountains border it to the west, the Panamint Valley and the Slate Range lie to the southwest, and the U.S. Army’s Fort Irwin and the National Training Center adjoin it to the south. The Amargosa River and the Greenwater Range constitute parts of the southeastern border. Death Valley was originally designated a national monument in 1933 and made a national park in 1994. Today’s national park covers considerably more area than the original national monument. The national monument was expanded several times, including in 1937 and in 1952, when Devils Hole, located in Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, was added. In 1994 the California Desert Protection Act added more than 2,000 square miles (5,100 square km) and redesignated it a national park, the largest in the 48 conterminous U.S. states. Tree in Death Valley National Park, California.

© William Lee Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies The park contains a number of unique landforms. The five dune areas include the 680-foot- (205-metre-) high Eureka Sand Dunes, California’s tallest. The northern section of the park is dotted with volcanic craters such as Ubehebe Crater, 700 feet (215 metres) deep and 0.5 mile (0.8 km) wide. At Racetrack Playa, rocks as large as 700 pounds (320 kg) leave trails as they mysteriously slide across a flat area; they are probably blown by wind when precipitation creates a moist, slippery clay surface. Other attractions include Scotty’s Castle , a mansion built in the 1920s by Chicago businessman Albert Johnson and named for his prospector friend Walter Scott, a spinner of tall tales known as “Death Valley Scotty.” Artist’s Drive is an 8-mile (13-km) loop through colourful mountains and canyons. Jagged pinnacles of salt form on the salt pan at Devil’s Golf Course.

The main visitor centre is at Furnace Creek in the central part of the park and includes exhibits on history, geology , and nature; a second visitor centre is at Beatty, Nevada, outside the park’s eastern boundary. Nearby attractions include Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks, Manzanar National Historic Site (see Manzanar Relocation Center ), and Mojave National Preserve. Sand dunes in Death Valley, California. © Corbis Death Valley, the Lowest and Hottest Place in the U.S. By Amanda Briney Updated November 30, 2016. Death Valley is a large part of the Mojave Desert located in California near its border with Nevada. Most of Death Valley is in Inyo County, California and comprises most of Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is significant to the United States geography because it is considered the lowest point in the contiguous U.S. at an elevation of -282 feet (-86 m). The region is also one of the hottest and driest in the country.

The following is a list of ten important geographic facts to know about Death Valley: 1) Death Valley has an area of about 3,000 square miles (7,800 sq km) and runs from the north to the south. It is bounded by the Amargosa Range to the east, the Panamint Range to the west, the Sylvania Mountains to the north and the Owlshead Mountains to the south. 2) Death Valley is located only 76 miles (123 km) from Mount Whitney , the highest point in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet (4,421 m). 3) The climate of Death Valley is arid and because it is bounded by mountains on all sides, hot, dry air masses often get trapped in the valley. continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States Therefore, extremely hot temperatures are not uncommon in the area. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Death Valley was 134°F (57.1°C) at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913.

4) Average summer temperatures in Death Valley frequently exceed 100°F (37°C) and the average August high temperature for Furnace Creek is 113.9°F (45.5°C). By contrast, the average January low is 39.3°F (4.1°C). 5) Death Valley is a part of the U.S. Basin and Range province as it is a low point surrounded by very high mountain ranges. Geologically, basin and range topography is formed by fault movement in the region that causes land to drop down to form valleys and land to rise up to form mountains. 6) Death Valley also contains salt pans which indicate that the area was once a large inland sea during the Pleistocene epoch. As the Earth began to warm into the Holocene , the lake in Death Valley evaporated to what it is today. 7) Historically, Death Valley has been home to Native American tribes and today, the Timbisha tribe, which has been in the valley for at least 1,000 years, inhabits the region. 8) On February 11, 1933, Death Valley was made a National Monument by President Herbert Hoover .

In 1994, the area was re-designated as a National Park. 9) Most of the vegetation in Death Valley consists of low-lying shrubs or no vegetation unless near a water source. At some of Death Valley's higher locations, Joshua Trees and Bristlecone Pines can be found. In the spring after winter rains, Death Valley is known to have large plant and floral blooms in its wetter areas. 10) Death Valley is home to many different types of small mammals, birds, and reptiles. There are also a variety of larger mammals in the area which include Bighorn Sheep, coyotes, bobcats, kit foxes and mountain lions. To learn more about Death Valley, visit the official website of Death Valley National Park and the Guide to Death Valley from Go California at About.com. References Wikipedia. (2010, March 16). Death Valley - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: Wikipedia. (2010, March 11). Death Valley National Park - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: Directions - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Directions Highway routes into Death Valley.

Traveling by Car The main road transecting Death Valley National Park from east to west is California Highway 190. On the east in Nevada, U.S. Route 95 parallels the park from north to south with connecting highways at Scotty's Junction (State Route 267- Access closed until further notice), Beatty (State Route 374), and Lathrop Wells (State Route 373). The most direct route from Las Vegas (via Pahrump, NV) and other options are available by downloading Routes From Las Vegas (191kb PDF file) Coming from the west, State Route 14 and U.S. Route 395 lead to Ridgecrest, CA where State Route 178 heads east into the park. Further north on Hwy 395 at Olancha, CA you can join Hwy 190 to the park, or north of that at Lone Pine, CA, Hwy 136 will also join Hwy 190 heading east into the park. South of the park, Interstate 15 passes through Baker, California on its way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

State Route 127 travels north from Baker to Shoshone and Death Valley Junction with connections to the park on State Route 178 from Shoshone and connection with California Highway 190 at Death Valley Junction. Using GPS Navigation GPS Navigation to sites to remote locations like Death Valley are notoriously unreliable. Numerous travelers have been directed to the wrong location or even dead-end or closed roads. Travelers should always carry up-to-date road maps to check the accuracy of GPS directions. DO NOT DEPEND ONLY ON YOUR VEHICLE GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM. There is no specific street address for the park or the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Many GPS users have had success using the street address for the Death Valley Post Office which is located about 400 meters south of the visitor center. The post office address is: 328 Greenland Blvd. Map coordinates for the visitor center are: N 36°27.70 W 116°52.00 By Private Plane There is a small public airport at Furnace Creek. Fuel is NOT available at the airport. There is also a rough paved strip at Stovepipe Wells. No fuel is available. We recommend airport information manuals for further details.

Public Transportation Death Valley National Park travel guide - Wikitravel 0.18 0.30 Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, and holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded. Air temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C) are common during the summer months of June, July, August and September. Death Valley claimed the world record in 2012, after the 136 °F (58 °C) temperature taken in Libya in 1922 was de-certified by the World Meteorological Organization. Fortunately, temperatures from November through March are mild with highs averaging in the 60s and 70s (15-25) with winter nighttime lows usually in the 40s (5-10). This makes the winter and early spring the best seasons to visit. Sun-baked sand in Death Valley 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 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 11,049 feet (3,368 m) at Telescope Peak and are usually covered with snow from November to May, making a breathtaking backdrop to this unique desert climate. 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. As far as US phenomena occur, not only does it feature the hottest recorded temperature, but also reports the lowest annual precipitation, the tallest sand dunes, and at 13,628 square kilometers, is the largest National Park in the 48 contiguous United States.

By plane[ edit ] McCarran International Airport ( IATA : LAS) [2] in Las Vegas is the closest commercial airport to Death Valley. The next closest large airport is Los Angeles International Airport ({{IATA|LAX}) [3] in Los Angeles . There are also two small airstrips within the park for private plane access at Furnace Creek and Saline Springs. By train[ edit ] The nearest city with an Amtrak station is Barstow , which is served by the Southwest Chief [4] Chicago - Los Angeles route. By car[ edit ] From Las Vegas or Barstow you will need to rent a car as there is no public transportation to and from the park. (If you get stranded in the park, you can have a rental car delivered from Pahrump, about one hour away in Nevada.) From the East: Take CA 190 west from Death Valley Junction 20 miles into the park. From US 95 in Nevada, take NV 374 west from Beatty 19 miles into the Valley.

From the West: Going north on US 395 take CA 190 east from Olancha, through Panamint Springs and over Towne Pass (elevation 4956 feet). This road is steep and narrow along some sections and is slow going for vehicles pulling trailers. 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 26 miles towards Scotty's Castle. When traveling from Las Vegas, proceed north on US 95 to Lathrop Wells. Then proceed south on NV 373 for 23 miles to Death Valley Junction. Then proceed west on CA 190 for 20 miles to the park entrance. 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: From I-15 take the exit for CA 127 when you reach the tiny town of Baker. Proceed north on CA 127 for 56 miles to the microscopic town of Shoshone. Just one mile 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 56 more miles. 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 27 miles 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: As of mid Dec 2013 highway CA-178 is closed a few miles to the east of Ridgecrest. If you want to get to furnace creek do not take CA-178 after Ridgecrest. You need to take CA-395 Noth followed by CA-190 East. Lack of cellphone coverage around this area also complicates matters. Note: Some roads in the park can occasionally be snowed in at the passes and may require chains in the winter. Please reference the Death Valley Morning Report [5] for current weather and road conditions. Note on routes: "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/Permits[ edit ] A seven day pass with unlimited re-entry is $20 for a standard vehicle (car/truck/van) and $10 for each individual traveling on foot, motorcycle, or bicycle. However, individuals planning to visit many different National Parks in the USA may save money by purchasing an America The Beautiful, The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for $80; this pass allows free entry to all federal fee areas in the USA . 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[ edit ] 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 Death Valley Weather [6] forecast prior to entering and plan your activities accordingly.

It is also important to note that this and most other 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 kind, but dirt roads (with the exception of the west side around 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. See[ edit ][ add listing ] Death Valley and Furnace Creek[ edit ] Artist Drive. The rocks within this section of the park have been stained myriad colors by minerals within, creating a view that resembles an artist's palette. Badwater. At 282 feet below sea level, it's the lowest point in North America. A boardwalk and signs provide info on the local environment, and a trail leads out onto the salt flats.

When photographing Badwater Basin, walk out on the flats a bit and shoot back at the pool of water for reflection photos. Devil's Golf Course Greenwater Ruins Grotto Canyon Marble Canyon. A popular hiking destination. While accessible only by a long, sandy road followed by a techincal rock crawl through a wash, this hike is worth the headache (or fun) of getting to the base of the trail. Before you go, consult rangers about the location of various petrogylphs along the canyon walls. Though some have been vandalized recently, many are in pristine condition. Mosaic Canyon. This popular hike in the center of the park winds through a narrow, marbled canyon. Some climbing and scaling of slick marbled rock is required. Sand Dunes. Near Stovepipe Wells. Most people think sand dunes are common in the desert. They aren't. There are two interesting areas of sand dunes in Death Valley. The largest is Eureka Dunes, accessible only to adventurous backcountry folks. This smaller set of dunes near Stovepipe Wells is still quite impressive. Stovepipe Well Scotty's Castle and Vicinity[ edit ] Scotty's Castle (Death Valley Ranch).

A strange story about the creation of elaborate mansion in the valley involving sickness, fraud, and tall tales. Titus Canyon. An unimproved road into Death Valley that begins just west of Beatty (the road to Titus canyon heads north from the normal paved route from Beatty into Death Valley). Titus canyon is narrow, deep and spectacular. Due to narrowness, parts of this road are one-way, so you really need to start from the east end of the road. You don't need an off-road vehicle for this, normal cars should do fine, but don't bring the RV. Ubehebe Crater. Located in the northern part of the park near Scotty's Castle, this giant crater was formed by volcanic activity. Walking trails lead into and around the crater, but be warned - going down into the crater is a difficult undertaking, and it may be best to enjoy the view from the top. Backcountry Sights[ edit ] Eureka Sand Dunes Barker Ranch. Charles Manson and his followers were captured here in 1969. The backcountry road up - which includes several rock falls - will make you wonder how Charles Manson got a school bus through.

Many visitors who make the difficult trek stay overnight in the cabin here. Charcoal Kilns Crankshaft Junction Desolation Canyon. Because it is not marked from the road, and not well marked on the map, a hike through this canyon offers solitude even beyond that of what is a very quiet park to begin with. The canyon isn't much to look at for the first 1/2 mile of the hike from the parking area, but beyond that, there is much to explore. Emigrant Canyon Eureka Sand Dunes. Tucked away in the north part of the park, accessible only by tens of miles of dirt road, these are the second tallest dunes in the United States. Don't let their out-of-the-way location deter you from visiting, however. The solitude only adds to the otherworldliness of the wind-swept sands, the highly rare Eureka Grass blades grasping for life in the dry mounds, and the panoramic view of the colorful Last Chance and Saline Ranges which flank the dunes on either side. Ibex Dunes. Well off the beaten path in the Southern end of the park, these are some of the most remote sand dunes in the American West.

Mountains flank the dunes to the west and east, making both sunrise and sunset an event. The backcountry road here is rutted with arroyos, and like so many other places in the park, requires a four-wheel drive. Racetrack Playa Pleasant Canyon and South Park Canyon 4wd Loop. The South Park Canyon portion near the Panamint Valley should be attempted only by experienced drivers with high clearance vehicles. Racetrack Playa. As with many points of interest within the park, this one is not easily accessible. The main route consists of 27 miles of dirt road, beginning at the Ubehebe Crater in the northern part of the park. However, the effort is well-rewarded with a site of twilight-zone proportions. The Plestiocene-era lake bed, nearly three miles long and a mile wide, is so flat that it once used as a landing strip for drug smugglers. But the Racetrack is most famous for its "moving rocks": boulders whose erratic tracks remain visible for years. Though their movement has been tracked with GPS, no adequate explanation for it has been found.

In the spring months, brine shrimp - which hibernate when the water dries up, only to emerge months or even years later - are sometimes visible in the muddy puddles here. Tea Kettle Junction. Located in the backcountry near the Racetrack Playa, this signpost is decorated with numerous tea kettles and makes for a rather odd sight in the vast desert. Telescope Peak. Highest point in the park at 11,049 feet. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Hiking. There are numerous 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. 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. Stargazing. 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. Four-wheel driving.

Death Valley has numerous high-clearance roads that offer a challenge for four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Driving off-road is not permitted. Bicycling. 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. Scotty's Castle Tours. Tours of the home of an eccentric resident of Death Valley are offered daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, departing at least once an hour and lasting for fifty minutes. Costs are $11 per person (discounts for seniors and children) and there may be a wait for tickets, so try to purchase them several hours in advance of your preferred tour time. Note that tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Badwater ultramarathon. Only for the truly insane, the 135 mile course from Badwater (elevation -282 feet) to the Mt. Whitney trailhead (elevation 8360 feet) is billed as the world's toughest race. Adding to the difficulty, the race is held annually during July, the hottest month of the year.

In 2004, 72 people toed the starting line, and 57 battered, burned, and exhausted souls officially finished by crossing the finish line within 60 hours (the course record is just over 25 hours). For those with a death wish, more info can be found at [7] . Gas[ edit ] 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. But once in the park, don't try to squeak out with just enough gas as the results can be fatal if you are stuck in the wilderness or just plain 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 SR 190 Stovepipe Wells Gas Station, 7AM-9PM only!

On SR 190 (regular gas only, usually cheapest in Death Valley proper) Scotty's Castle Gas Station, 7AM-6PM on SR 267 (Currently Closed, Call NPS for More Information) Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Furnace Creek Inn Dining Room. The only upscale restaurant in Death Valley, very elegant, with a somewhat laid back dress code. Closed for summer season. Reservations are required for dinner and Sunday brunch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served. Call 760-786-2345 for reservations. 49'er Cafe. Located in Furnace Creek Ranch, this restaurant is less upscale than the Furnace Creek Inn or the Wrangler Steakhouse, but offers decent food with dinner entrees starting around $10. Wrangler Buffet. Located in Furnace Creek Ranch at the ranch, the buffet is served daily for breakfast and lunch and offers a variety of hot and cold items. Wrangler Steakhouse. Located in Furnace Creek Ranch, this upscale restaurant offers steaks and other entrees starting around $25. Open for dinner only. Stovepipe Wells. Restaurant and convenience store.

Within the park[ edit ] There are 4 in-park lodging facilities in Death Valley National Park. Furnace Creek Inn. [8] This inn advertises itself as a first class, AAA Four Diamond historic resort with 66 rooms and full amenities. Rates range from $250-$370 per room with $20 per each additional person. Closed during summer season. 760-786-2345 Furnace Creek Ranch. [9] Located in Furnace Creek, this establishment is the ranch style family oriented version of the above Inn with 224 rooms and rates ranging from $105 to $174 depending on the season and type of room. 760-786-2345 Panamint Springs Resort. [10] Located just inside the west entrance, this resort is the most economical lodging option. The rooms are small and very out dated. Rates range from $79 to $149. 775-482-7680 Stovepipe Wells Village. [11] Motel-style lodging in Stovepipe Wells.

This place used to be managed by Xanterra but is now run by Death Valley Lodging. The rooms are not fancy, and the running water in some rooms is not potable, but it is a perfectly comfortable and convenient place to stay. Rates tend to be cheaper than at Furnace Creek ($111 for a Deluxe room). Beware of the restaurant at Stovepipe Wells, though; it tends to be wannabe fancy and overpriced. Call early for reservations at the lodge. 760-786-2387 Outside of the park[ edit ] Death Valley Junction is the closest town outside of Death Valley, about thirty minutes away from the visitor's center it has one hotel, and a theatre. Beatty is a town outside (northeast) of Death Valley. It's a very cheap option. Lone Pine is two hours west of the park in California. Shoshone is an hour southeast of the park in California. Camping[ edit ] Furnace Creek (Year round). Located 196 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek has 136 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station.

No showers, but nearby Furnace Creek Ranch offers pool and shower for $5 per day. Furnace Creek is $18 per night during the winter season and $12 a night during the summer. Mahogany Flat (Closed in winter). Mahogany Flat is located at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountains and is accessible to high clearance vehicles only. Depending upon road conditions, 4-wheel drive may be necessary. The campground has 10 sites, tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Mahogany Flat is free. Mesquite Spring (Year Round). Located at 1,800 feet 3 miles from Scotty's Castle, Mesquite Spring has 30 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and a dump station. The fee is $12 a night. Stovepipe Wells (Closed in summer). Located at sea level, Stovepipe Wells has 190 sites with water, some tables, some fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station. $12 per night. Stovepipe Wells RV Campground (Year Round). This RV campground is managed by the Stovepipe Wells Resort.

It has 14 sites with full hook-ups and no tables or fireplaces. A swimming pool and showers are available. No Reservations, first come first served, and the sites are $23 a night. Sunset (Closed in summer). Located at 190 feet below sea level, Sunset has 270 sites with water, flush toilets, and dump station. NO Fires Allowed. Sunset is $12 per night. Texas Spring (Closed in summer). Located at sea level, Texas Spring has 92 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station. Texas Spring is first come first served with self registration. From March 17th through April 15th, Texas Spring is designated primarily for tent camping with a limited number of RV sites. The fee is $14 per night. For the summer, reservations for the two Texas Springs campground group sites are available by calling (760) 786-3247. Thorndike (Closed in winter). Thorndike is located at 7,400 feet in the Panamint Mountains and is accessible to high clearance vehicles only. Depending on road conditions, 4-wheel drive may be necessary.

Thorndike has 6 sites, tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Thorndike is free. ATTN: Due to extreme fire danger, campfires are prohibited at Thorndike Campground until further notice! Wildrose (Year round). Located at 4,100 feet in the Panamint Mountains, Wildrose has 23 sites, with tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets. Drinking water is available during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Although it is windy enough that you'll need to take care to secure your campsite, it is still high enough in elevation that it presents more pleasant weather for camping than the valley floor. Being farther away from the more popular areas of the park induces a quieter setting as well. Wildrose is a free campground. Backcountry[ edit ] Backcountry camping is allowed 2 miles 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[ edit ] 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 a gallon (4 liters) per day, per person) for your activities, whether it be on a backcountry trail, or on the main highway. Should you become stranded while driving, stay with your vehicle as it is likely to provide the only shade in the area. 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 (760-786-2342) 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.

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. Cell phone service does not exist in most of the park, don't count on being able to use it in an emergency. Contact[ edit ] Free Wi-Fi internet access is available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, but only when it is open. There is no mobile phone access for most phones. Analog reception for Verizon Wireless customers is available close to Furnace Creek, but most modern phones are not capable of using the old analog system. As of January, 2012, decent coverage was found near Furnace Creek for T-Mobile phones, for text and phone (no data coverage) Get out[ edit ] Mount Whitney . The tallest mountain in the lower forty-eight states, Mt Whitney is located west of the park on highway 190. Eastern Sierra . The Sierra Nevada mountains west of the park on highway 190 provide an ideal region for backpackers. Las Vegas .

America's playground, Sin City can be reached via numerous routes from the south and east exits of the park. Routes through Death Valley National Park Death Valley Facts & Information - Beautiful World Travel Guide United States Death Valley Death Valley is a desert valley situated within the Mojave Desert. Aptly named due to its harsh conditions, it is the lowest, hottest and driest place in the United States. Inaugurated as a national park in 1994, Death Valley is in fact the largest national park in the United States, spanning an impressive 3.4 million acres. Fetching directions...... Print directions Fascinating Facts about Death Valley Scientists postulate that the saltpans in existence at Death Valley today provide evidence that the entire area was a gigantic inland sea during the last ice age. Over the years, as the Earth gradually warmed, the water evaporated leaving what remains to this day. Freakishly hot temperatures are not uncommon, as mountains border all sides of Death Valley, leaving hot and dry air masses with nowhere to escape. The hottest temperature to date has been 134 degrees Farenheit (56.7 degrees Celcius) recorded in 1913.

Weather wise, it’s not just the temperature that’s peculiar; back in 1929, an entire calendar year passed without a drop of rain being recorded. Perhaps even more impressive is that from 1931 through to 1934, only 0.64 inches of rain fell. Only 15 miles separate the lowest area in the park, Badwater Basin (282 ft. below sea level) and Telescope Peak (11,049 ft. above sea level), the highest elevated peak. Badwater Basin is in fact, the lowest place in North America, and one of the lowest on the planet. Interestingly, Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States, lies only 84 miles (135km) to the East. The name Death Valley originates from a group of black forty-niners who had hoped to cross the desert as a shortcut to finding gold in California. Dehydration tragically took one of the men’s lives. The others, close to meeting the same fate, were rescued just in time. Prior to leaving the desert, a friend of the man turned and said the words, “Goodbye, Death Valley”.

Despite it’s name, life is actually quite abundant in the park. More than 300 species of birds inhabit the area, including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and the house finch. Larger mammals such as sheep and coyotes are also present, as well as a variety of smaller amphibians and reptiles. We know that a number of different Native American tribes have inhabited Death Valley for at least the past 10,000 years, with examples of rock art and other various artefacts providing sufficient evidence. Today, the Timbisha tribe, are the only ones to remain. A number of movie and television shows have been shot in the park. Among those, the most famous examples include Zabriskie Point (1970) and some of the Star Wars movies, where several Tatooine scenes were filmed. Death Valley Park Fees To obtain access to the park, entrance fees apply. Such fees vary depending on whether you are entering the park by car or on foot. Standard entry fees allow access for 7 days, though an annual pass exists, allowing unlimited access for a 1-year period. For up-to-date fee information, please visit the official National Park Service website here .

The fees aforementioned cover park access only. Should you wish to conduct business within the park (e.g. filming, research), you will need to register an application for the relevant permit (see NPS website for details). How to get to Death Valley There are no public transportation options available for visitors to Death Valley, leaving driving as the only means of access. Due to signal/reliability issues, you are advised not to rely upon GPS navigation, but rather to purchase a paper map. If you are an international traveller, the closest airport from which you could hire a car is the Las Vegas International Airport (130mi/209km). Death Valley National Park - National Geographic Death Valley National Park Established: October 31, 1994 Size: About 3.4 million acres The largest national park south of Alaska, Death Valley is known for extremes: It is North America's driest and hottest spot (with fewer than two inches/five centimeters of rainfall annually and a record high of 134°F), and has the lowest elevation on the continent—282 feet below sea level. Even with its extremes, the park still receives nearly a million visitors each year.

In 1849 emigrants bound for California's gold fields strayed into the 120-mile long basin, enduring a two-month ordeal of "hunger and thirst and an awful silence." One of the last to leave looked down from a mountain at the narrow valley and said, "Good-bye, Death Valley." Related Stories The Ultimate Southern Adventure: Explore the Parks The moniker belies the beauty in this vast graben, the geological term for a sunken fragment of the Earth's crust. Here are rocks sculptured by erosion, richly tinted mudstone hills and canyons, luminous sand dunes, lush oases, and a 200-square-mile salt pan surrounded by mountains, one of America's greatest vertical rises. In some years spring rains trigger wildflower blooms amid more than a thousand varieties of plants. Native Americans, most recently the Shoshone, found ways to adapt to the more recent and forbidding desert conditions that exist here now. Rock art and artifacts indicate a human presence dating back at least 9,000 years.

From 1883 to 1889, wagon teams hauled powdery white borax from mines since fallen to ruin, an enterprise that spread word of Death Valley's striking landscapes, deep solitude, and crystalline air. As night falls, Death Valley's elusive populations of bobcats, kit foxes, and rodents venture out. Far above on steep mountain slopes, desert bighorn sheep forage among Joshua trees, scrubby junipers, and pines, while hawks soar on thermals rising into vivid blue, cloudless skies. Did You Know? The highest mountain in the park, 11,049-foot Telescope Peak, lies only 15 miles from Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the U.S. The vertical drop from the peak to Badwater Basin is twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. Named by gold prospectors struggling through the area in 1849, Death Valley has been inhabited by Timbisha Shoshone Native Americans; gold prospectors, including slaves; Chinese immigrants mining for silver and borax; Basque immigrants who settled here at the turn of the 20th century; and Japanese Americans temporarily interned here during World War II.

Question: Death Valley is in which US state?
Answer: California