Death Valley: Attracting Visitors Even in the 120 Degree Heat
For over a hundred years, visitors have been flocking to the strange, secluded desert of fascinating Death Valley. Sharing sections of California and Nevada, this massive National Park is the largest in the lower 48 states by far, covering 3.4 million acres.
Considered inhospitable between the months of May and October, this park still draws thousands of eager visitors even then. Peak season is generally considered to fall between November and early April, when temperatures are the most welcoming and make for an enjoyable hike.
Picture by 4gott.
Death Valley Dunes
The famous, beautiful rolling dunes of Death Valley NP
Some of the most famous and recognizable photography of Death Valley are its prized sand dunes. Located in various spots in the valley, they make for especially interesting pictures in the late day hours before sunset, or very early morning hours just before the sun comes up or immediately after. Driving winds have deposited these dunes grain by grain to these locations, piling up into what we know as the Panamint Dunes, Eureka Dunes, and Saline Valley Dunes.
Sunset light and storm clouds over sand dunes at Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley N...
Death Valley Dunes, Sunrise. Death Valley National Park, California. April 4, 20...
Visiting Death Valley reminded me of Ansel Adams' famous black and white shot of...
I have visited Death Valley before, but this was the first time I checked out &a...
Taken from Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National park. A manual blend of four ...
More than Just a Dry, Boring Desert!
Death Valley is filled with rolling sand dunes, weird rock formations, ancient dry salt beds, abundant wildlife, snow capped mountains, spring wildflowers, castles, palm trees and some of the most unusual sites in the world, like Badwater, the lowest elevation in North America.
Devils Golf Course
Strange formations in the dessert floor of Death Valley
Not an actual golf course, this large salt pan is comprised of ancient salt lake remnants that were leftover after the lake dried. Large salt spires stick into the air at low levels, making for a rocky hike...and a dangerous one! These spikes can hurt, and seriously cut you if you're not careful. If you gaze over the entire "course," you may think you are on another planet...the terrain is remarkable and unlike any other.
The Devils Golf Course is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA...
Death Valley National Park, California.Pools of water collect between the salt...
The insane terrain at Devil's Golf Course, Death Valley. This is ALL salt. I k...
Day 3: A visit to Devil's Golf Course yields interesting terrain.
This multiple exposure photograph was taken with two camera and only minutes apa...
Mars? No, it's the Devils Golf Course of Death Valley
Scotty's Castle
aka Death Valley Ranch
On the north side of Death Valley lies the huge Spanish style villa known as Scotty's Castle. Construction on Scotty's Castle began in 1922, and was halted due to some disputes over land rights with the US government. Built on land that was not actually part of the owner's property, the "castle" became entangled in legal battles. Today, the castle remains in the possession of the National Park Service, enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually.
Scotty's Castle in
Scotty's castle was built by Albert Johnson, a millionaire from Chicago in the i...
Scotty's Castle in Death Valley
Scotty's Castle in Death Valley
Scotty's Castle in Death Valley
Don't Underestimate the Heat
Heat kills in Death Valley!
The swealtering heat of Death Valley is not to be messed with. The comfort of car air conditioning can often mislead travelers when they step out of the car. 4 liters of water per day to replace sweat loss minimum is required in the desert. Hiking in the early morning hours is highly recommended because of the cooler temperatures. Besides, the sunrise shots of Death Valley often make the most amazing photos. The desert heat can kill in only an hour without the proper equipment and hiking at the proper times.
Before making your journey into Death Valley, be sure to check your tire pressure and fluid levels of your car, including the car radiator. If you have not-so-dependable car, consider renting one from a local dealership. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Badwater
The lowest elevation in North America
The lowest elevation in North America is Badwater, a section of Death Valley National Park. Easily accessible via the park's main roads, you can get out and plan a quick hike to the salt flats. If you're lucky, this area will be a little wetter in the weeks after a winter rain. Large geometric patterns are etched into the highly concentrated salt bed and make for an interesting view.
I really loved this moment... the clouds were very cooperative and the playa at ...
Badwater is a basin in California's Death Valley, noted as the lowest point in N...
Standing at Badwater (282 feet below sea level) in Death Valley at sunrise.
Sunset at the lowest point in the United States: the saltpan floor of Death Vall...
This is a unique image in terms of location. This is Badwater Lake (unoffical na...
Sea level sign on a mountain near the lowest point in North America.Wikipedia:...
Death Valley Baseball Jersey
Price: 19.99 
Dante's View
The beautiful view of Death Valley from this mountain peak
Dante's View is an impressive panoramic view of parts of Death Valley. Off Rt 190 you will find the marked turn near the eastern entrance.
Dante never saw the new world and never saw America and never visited Death Vall...
Sunrise, Dante's View
dante's view: maybe my favorite place among all the amazing places in death vall...
Taken during our June 2006 vacation. See the set:
Death Valley from Dante's View, September 1996
The HDR version of the vista from Dante's View at sunset.Have a look at the ...
HOT HOT HOT!
Death Valley is well known for its record breaking heat. The highest temperature ever in the valley was recorded on July 10, 1913, topping out at 134 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the hottest temperature in North America and the 2nd highest in the world. Who's #1? El Azizia in Libya at 136 degrees.
The Current Weather in Death Valley
Take it from the Reviewers...
Take the best photos possible on your trip to Death Valley!
Canon PowerShot SD1000 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver)
Amazon Price: $499.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $199.99
Over 700 reviews strong give this trusted Canon digital camera nearly a solid five stars. Ease of use, cool features, lightweight, easy storage, easy shots and reliability make this the perfect camera for a desert adventure. Perfect size for on-the-go people.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Death Valley National Park (Retro) Jr. Ringer T-Sh
Price: 24.99
Artists Palette
A suprisingly wonderful collage of impressive colors in Death Valley
A beautiful array of colors are displayed in the area known as Artist's Palette in Death Valley. The Artist's Drive will take you directly to this area. A combination of greys, browns, reds, greens, blues and oranges will be apparent when you have reached this mountainside destination.
as found at Artist's Palette overlook along Artist Drive in Death Valley Nationa...
Artist's Palette is part of the result of massive volcanic activity some six to ...
Artist's DriveArtist's Drive rises up to the top of an allu...
Coyote on the outskirts of Death Valley
The Racetrack at Death Valley
The fabled, mysterious, hard to get to area of the valley
In the Panamint Mountains section of Death Valley is the mysterious area known as "The Racetrack." The deep impressions of strangely placed rocks onto the playa (the ancient, dry lake surface) move every few years...mostly unnoticed, leaving a track behind it. These stones have fallen from a nearby mountain, leaving the deep grooves when they unexplainably move. 4 wheel drive vehicles with high clearance are a must to visit this region.
RacetrackOnce a ocean, then a lake, and now ...Added to
Deep in the heart of the California desert lies one of the natural world's most ...
Dry lake in Death Valley national park, called Racetracks. You can see more of m...
The sailing stones are a geological phenomenon found in the
The Racetrack is a unique attraction of Death Valley National Park that not many...
The Racetrack is a unique attraction of Death Valley National Park that not many...
Death Valley Natural Bridge
Precariously perched photo opportunity in the dessert
Four miles to the south of the Artist's Drive scenic loop is the Natural Bridge Canyon area of Death Valley. Wind and water erosion have created this natural bridge over the canyon, making for a great photographic opportunity.
Natural Bridge, Death Valley
Lorraine at the base of a dry waterfall-Natural Bridge in Death Valley, CA
Natural Bridge, Death Valley National Park [California (USA)]
Natural Bridge Trail, Death Valley. Turn around and look back the way I came t...
Natural Bridge Trail, Death Valley. Okay, turn around and head back the way I c...
Death Valley National Park (Bighorn) Ringer T
Price: 21.99
California's Most Visited National Park
Lush waterfalls, towering trees, and ice capped peaks: the opposite of Death Valley!
If you're in the mood to escape the heat of Death Valley, not too far away are the clean, cool mountain forests and waterfalls of Yosemite National Park. One of the most visited and popular parks in the country, it boasts grand, cascading falls, large granite domes, unbeatable hiking, large open meadows, and of course, the splendor of Yosemite Valley.-
Yosemite National Park
-
The Crown Jewel of the Sierra Nevada There are over 3.5 million visitors yearly that come to take in the awe-inspiring panorama of Yosemite National Park. The California National Park of the High Sierras is one of the best places to camp, kayak, sig...
The Death Valley Sand Dunes
Death Valley Wildlife
Unique wildlife that survives the harsh conditions of this inhospitable National Park
Wild Life near Charcoal Kilns
A coyote in Death Valley National Park, California. This is a slightly revised ...
Black Tail Jacks are all over Death Valley, not so much on the dunes or salt fla...
Wild Burros in Happy canyon, near the Panamint Mountains. Death Valley Nationa...
We hit the jackpot on this trip: an encounter with 14 wild Burros in the morning...
Not too Far Away...
..is Las Vegas. Vegas is often the starting point for Death Valley roadtrips. Relatively close at only 141 miles or 2.5 hours of driving, it can be easily reached via US I-95 in Nevada, then taking route 373 to the final route of 190.-
Las Vegas Hotels
-
Spend Some Time in Paradise! No really! If you're headed to Las Vegas, you're technically headed to Paradise. Tell your friends. The majority of the Las Vegas strip is in an unincorporated town called "Paradise," which is right beside the city of La...
Death Valley Links
- NPS Death Valley
- A land of extremes: Death Valley National Park official home page.
- Death Valley WebCam
- Get daily updates on what's going on live from Death Valley on this webcam!
- Death Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Find out what's new at Death Valley, what there is to do, road closures, tours and more.
The Best Death Valley Guide
Road Guide to Death Valley National Park, Updated Edition
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $6.95
The largest National Park in the lower 48 states will deserve your utmost attention and some prior research. This easy to read guide is full of maps, facts and best of all, beautiful full-color photography focusing on the finer points of the park. Don't miss out on some of the hidden gems tucked away in the park, get this guide.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Guestbook
If you've been to Death Valley (or would like to go) tell us about it!
AlishaV wrote...
Great lens! Death Valley is one of my favorite places in the world. There's so much beauty there.
Posted May 07, 2009
awelldressedbullet wrote...
Beautiful, just beautiful, thank you for the trip! Definitely more than a boring desert! The pictures blew me away! - Kathy
Posted February 14, 2009
Tipi wrote...
I didn't know that Death Valley was a national park, lens-roll! Great information 5*'s
It would be fun going out on a dune buggy on the dunes.
Posted January 07, 2009
EverythingMouse wrote...
I visited about 10 years ago in October and it was still very very hot. It is certainly an amazing place. The contrast in landscapes is incredible. Angel Blessings to you
Posted December 09, 2008
naturegirl7 wrote...
Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
Posted November 24, 2008
Lady_Gotrocks wrote...
Great lens! Lots of good info. Ihave been to Death Valley several times and it is always fasinating!
Posted June 08, 2008
Cool, Unique Death Valley Stuff
Hand picked by us, here are some of the most unique Death Valley items for sale out there. Enjoy!
Death Valley Greetings Tote Bag
Price: 17.99
Death Valley NP (Coyote) Women's Polo
Price: 37.99
Death Valley (Rattlesnake) Sticker (Rectangular)
Price: 4.99
Death Valley National Park (Arch) Dark T-Shirt
Price: 25.99
Planning a Road Trip?
Be sure to check out these cool lenses on road trips for some handy facts, pictures and tips.-
Northern U.S. Road Trip
-
When planning a road trip in the United States, there are two popular options: the northern route and the southern route . We'll be analyzing the northern route here, covering the states from Maine to Washington state. If a road trip is in your futur...
-
Planning a US Road Trip: The Southern Route
-
If you love warmth and sunshine, this is the perfect US road trip for you where you'll get to see 8 different states. Some of the most unique areas of the country are all easily accessible from I-10, a highway that begins in Los Angeles and ends in...
-
What to Bring on a Road Trip
-
There are the necessities for road trips, and there are the items that will improve the quality of your road trip. Both can be equally important to have a good time on your trip...from technological help like navigation systems to old, trusty road at...
-
How to Plan a US Road Trip
-
There's nothing like taking a road trip across the USA. Going by car gives you a greater appreciation for the vastness and wide array of parks, forests, cities, museums, beaches and cultures the United States has to offer. By taking a cross country r...
Recommended Death Valley Books
Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $13.50 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $18.00
Death Valley and the Northern Mojave: A Visitor's Guide
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $17.90 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $22.95
A FalconGuide to Death Valley National Park (Exploring Series)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $14.95
Hiking Death Valley: A Guide to Its Natural Wonders & Mining Past
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $19.95
The National Parks of America
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $39.95
Las Vegas is the Closest International Airport...
...and your best bet to fly into. At only 2 1/2 hours drive time, you can make it to Death Valley in no time.
One of America's most beloved treasures is Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Read here why this is an absolute must to travel to.
-
Yellowstone National Park
-
First established as a National Park in 1872, Yellowstone remains America's best-known National Park for its geothermal features, array of wildlife and stunning scenery. It covers three states--Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana--however, most of the park l...
Death Valley Shirts on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
More Cool National Parks Apparel
-
National Parks T-Shirts
-
Looking for some unique, cool National Parks apparel? A retro style National Parks t-shirt? A vintage feeling shirt from Yellowstone? A trendy new design featuring the Everglades? Here you'll find all of that, plus cool gift National Parks gift ideas...
