Death Valley National Park
National Park · Death Valley, California
Death Valley National Park is a huge desert park in eastern California, along the Nevada border, and one of the largest national parks in the lower 48 states. It is known for extremes: Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at about 282 feet below sea level, summer heat that can pass 120 F, salt flats, sand dunes, painted badlands, canyons and snow on high peaks in winter. Distances are long, and services are few, with a handful of small settlements such as Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. It suits drivers, photographers, hikers and anyone who likes open space and dark skies. It is a poor choice in midsummer unless you stay near the car and start before dawn. Most visitors drive between a few famous stops and park at each one, so even a short visit means several hours behind the wheel. Plan for fuel, water and little or no cell signal, and confirm road conditions and closures before you go.
Highway 190, Death Valley, California, 92328, United States
The park is open all day and night year-round, but individual roads, campgrounds and facilities close seasonally or after storm damage. The main visitor center at Furnace Creek is usually open daily with set hours, and smaller ranger stations have shorter hours. The high season for visitors runs from autumn to spring, and many lodgings, shops and campgrounds are quieter or closed in midsummer. Roads can wash out after flash floods, and some backcountry tracks need a high clearance vehicle. Confirm road status, fuel availability, lodging and any park alerts before you drive, because the nearest alternative can be 100 miles away.
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