Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park lies east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the southeastern region of California on the Nevada border. Despite its name, the park contains both Death Valley and Panamint Valley, and stretches over 3.3 million acres. The park is geographically complex, with many unique canyon formations a nd fault lines. The multicolored badlands as here as well as sand dunes, rugged canyon, beautiful mountain tops of Telescope Peak and the hottest, driest and lowest place in North America. The Panamint Mountains are more then 11,000 feet above the lowest elevation at Badwater Basin which is at -282 feet. This vertical drop is twice the drop of the Grand Canyon. The park is included in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts Biosphere Reserve.http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=USA+39&mode=all

Climate

The region is notorious for its heat and lack of precipitation, with summer temperatures averaging between 86 and 114 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, the valley glistens from the heat and the heat does not relent for five months. The other months are somewhat better but very little relief can be found here anytime of the year from lack of rain. It's dryness is caused by a rain shadow effect from the Sierra Nevada, Panamint, and Argus mountain ranges that surround it.

Attractions and Activities

Ranger Programs - Mid -October through mid-April. Day and nighttime programs but check visitor centers as schedule varies.

Visitor Centers - There are two visitors centers, the Furnace Creek and Scotty’s Castle Visitor Centers. Furnace Creek has a bookstore, auditorium and the Death Valley Museum. Winter hours are 8am to 5pm, summer hours are 9am to 5pm. Scotty’s Castle is an ornate Spanish-style mansion built in the 1920’s. The castle and underground tunnels can be toured. There is also a museum, bookstore, snack bar and gift shopin the area. Winter hours 8:30am to 5:30 pm, summer hours are 9:00am to 4:30pm.

Borax Museum - Exhibits include a mineral collection and the history of Borax in Death Valley. A collection of mining and transportation equipment is located behind the building. Phone: (760) 786-2345

Hiking - Death Valley National Park has hiking from easy walks of 1/2 mile to strenuous and even adventurous hikes. All of the hikes have something interesting to see.

Backcountry Roads - Your own street legal vehicle or rentals are available at Farabee’s Jeep Rentals. If you want to have a tour, Pink Jeep Tours have in park service. Off -road driving is prohibited due to fragile environment. Taking emergency supplies as well as a backup supply of water (5 gallon container) is recommended. Current road conditions available at Furnace Creek visitor Center or the Morning Report.

Biking - All park roads that are open to public vehicular traffic is open to bicycles along with routes that have been selected for bicycle use. Bicycle are NOT allowed on closed roads, service roads, off roadways, in the wilderness or on any trails. Death Valley has hundreds of miles of roads suitable for Mountain Biking. http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/things2do.htm