Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is world renowned for its colorful and complex geology. Its extremes of elevation support a great diversity of life, and provide a natural geologic museum that represents a substantial portion of the earth's history. This region is also the ancestral homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. The Timbisha took advantage of the natural order of this region, establishing a pattern of life in concert with nature.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: J T ReynoldsPhone Number: 760-786-3200
Entrance Fees: Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10
Sights: Scotty's Castle; Rhyolite Ghost Town; Ballarat; Chloride City; Greenwater; Harrisburg; Leadfield; Panamint City; Skidoo
Endangered Species: Devils Hole Pupfish; Eureka Dunes Evening-Primrose; Western Snowy Plover; California Least Turn; Southwestern Willow Flycatcher; San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike
Important Dates
Established as Park: October 31, 1994By The Numbers
Acres: 3,372,400.00Highest Point: Telescope Peak (11048 feet)
Annual Visitation: 744,440 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :36.560440 / -117.024640 (map it)
State: CA
Nearby Big City: Death Valley, CA
Gateway Communities: Death Valley, CA; Darwin, CA; Amargosa Valley, NV; Beatty, NV; Keeler, CA
Nearby Airports: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS); Furnace Creek (LO6)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Coyote Prowl
Tom O'Neil
Desert Plant
Igor Karon
Manley Beacon Sunrise
Mike Norton
View More Death Valley Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Regardless of the season, there's always a lot to do at Death Valley—not surprising when you consider the park includes a 156-mile stretch between two mountain ranges, numerous archeological and ... read more.
At A Glance Death Valley, the largest national park in the contiguous United States, comprises more than 3.3 million acres of desert wilderness. Bound on the west by the towering 11,049-foot Telescope Peak, and ... read more.
At Your Fingertips General Park Information: (760) 786-3200 www.nps.gov/deva Commercial Permits: (760) 786-3241 Lodging within the Park: Xanterra Parks & Resorts® Furnace Creek (760) 786-2345 Stovepipe We ... read more.
Campgrounds Flush Pit Dump Fee Per Campground Open Closed Elevation (ft) Sites Water Tables Fireplaces Toilets Toilets Station Night Emigrant All Year 2,100 10 Yes Yes No Yes No No None Furnace Al ... read more.
Camping Visitors with a calling to enjoy the great outdoors can experience desert grandeur up close in one of Death Valley National Park's many public campgrounds, or in its backcountry. The park has nine pu ... read more.
Desert Driving Tips We recommend that you remain on paved roads, especially during the summer. However, if you do venture into the backcountry any time of the year, heed these important tips: • Make sure your ca ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Death Valley—one of the hottest and driest places in North America—is surprisingly home to an abundance of uniquely adapted life forms. A total of 1,042 plant species, 51 species of nativ ... read more.
Geology The geologic history of Death Valley is complex: it involves not only fault activity at various times, but also crustal sinking, volcanic activity and erosion. In literal geological terms, Death Vall ... read more.
Hiking Trails Golden Canyon Trail: Moderate, two miles round-trip (two hours). Starts from Badwater Road, three miles south of the visitor center. Gradual uphill through colorful badlands that extends to Zabriskie ... read more.
History Along with its stunning natural splendor, Death Valley can lay claim to a rich and colorful human tale that begins at least 10,000 years ago. This fascinating story features ancient hunters and gathe ... read more.
In A Nutshell Here's a quick rundown of the basics you need to know when planning a visit to Death Valley National Park: Entrance Fees Death Valley National Park is open every day of the year. Entrance fees vary. ... read more.
Just For Kids Death Valley National Park has a host of activities to entice visitors of all ages—including programs just for kids. Visiting the park presents a great opportunity to have fun and learn somethi ... read more.
Lodging & Dining There are a variety of dining and lodging options beyond the boundaries of Death Valley; within the park, however, Xanterra Parks & Resorts® the nation's largest park and resource management ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! The first time I came to Death Valley I was entranced by the color of the rocks, the quiet of the desert, the immense scale of the valley. It made me feel insignificant, yet it seemed inviting to me ... read more.
Only A Day Since Death Valley is so large, packing all your sightseeing into a single day can be a challenge. If you plan carefully and start early, you can get a true flavor of what the park has to offer in a ... read more.
Park Regulations Safety Tips Water: During the heat of summer, drink at least one gallon of water per day to replace loss from perspiration. Carry plenty of extra drinking water in your car and while hiking. Heat and ... read more.
Preserving Death Valley Although the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 formally protected millions of acres in Death Valley, the park's unique biologic and geologic assets continue to face degradation from numerous s ... read more.
Sights To See There is a lot to do and see in Death Valley National Park—just make sure you have access to a car because you will want to cover a lot of ground! The park's long list of attractions includes m ... read more.
Timbisha Shoshone Few people realize that an American Indian tribe currently lives and thrives in the heart of Death Valley National Park. For thousands of years, the Timbisha Shoshone people have resided in Southeas ... read more.
Visitor Services Despite Death Valley's fearsome reputation and famously barren landscape, the National Park Service and a number of concessioners have taken steps to ensure that your trip is as smooth as it is inspi ... read more.
Recent News
- ‘It was life-changing' July 29, 2008, 11:49 am
- No human remains found at Manson ranch May 21, 2008, 9:56 pm
- Way cool: Death Valley National Park charms families May 14, 2008, 2:18 pm
Death Valley In Depth
News from the Parks
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
