Death Valley National Park

National Park Service, California.

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

Camping and Day Use

  • Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
  • Furnace Creek Campground

Activities and Experiences

  • Death Valley National Park Ranger Programs
  • Death Valley National Park Wilderness Permits
  • Scotty'S Castle - Death Valley National Park

Site Passes

  • Death Valley National Park Site Pass

Nearby Activities

  • Auto Touring
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Wildlife Viewing

Directions

There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.

Additional Information

  • Death Valley National Park Map
  • Death Valley National Park Official Website

Photo Gallery

  • Artists Drive Scenic LoopColors from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite, creating a rainbow effect, and a stunning drive through the most colorful geology in Death Valley!
  • Sunset at Dantes ViewA mile above the salt flats in the valley below, Dantes View provides breathtaking vistas. In a scene from the original Star Wars film, Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi surveyed Mos Eisley from this same viewpoint.
  • CoyoteCoyotes are often sighted along park roadways.
  • Salt Pan Polygons & Stormy SkyBadwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.
  • Artists Drive Scenic LoopColors from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite, creating a rainbow effect, and a stunning drive through the most colorful geology in Death Valley!
  • Wildrose Charcoal KilnsNearly a century and a half old, these are some of the best preserved kilns in the western U.S.
  • Rainbow over Devil's Golf CourseFormations at Devil's Golf Course are graced with a full rainbow.
  • Winding canyons awaitThere are numerous canyons to explore across this vast park.
  • Lupine and Tortoiseshell ButterflyHigher elevations provide a respite from the heat in this alpine ecosystem.
  • Mesquite Flat Sand DunesSunrise or sunset at the Mesquite Dunes is a quintessential Death Valley experience. The dunes also make a wonderful stargazing spot.
  • Hottest Place on EarthSummers are infamously hot, as for 6 months of the year temperatures above 120 degrees are regularly recorded.
  • A rare superbloom of Desert Gold.About once a decade, rains at the right times can lead to a rare superbloom!
  • Greater RoadrunnerRoadrunners are often sighted around the Furnace Creek Visitor Center grounds.
  • Sunset from Zabriskie PointThe warm light of sunset covers the badlands at Zabriskie Point.
  • Bighorn SheepBighorn sheep are named for the large, curved horns borne by the rams (males). Ewes (females) also have horns, but they are shorter with less curvature.

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Login

Sign Up

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!

Get to Know Us

  • About Us
  • Rules & Reservation Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Media Center
  • Site Map

Plan with Us

  • Find Trip Inspiration
  • Build a Trip
  • Buy a Pass
  • Enter a Lottery
  • Checkout our Mobile App
  • Rent Gear

Join Us

  • Get Involved
  • Use Our Data
  • Add Your Facility

Let Us Help You

  • Contact Us
  • Help Center
  • Submit Feedback
  • Responsible Disclosure
Español
Powered by Localize
English