Death Valley National Park

One of the hottest, driest, and least (apparently) hospitable places on Earth, Death Valley National Park is all about extremes. Its famous Badwater Basin is the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet below sea level, and its summertime temperatures regularly climb higher than 120 F -- in fact, the park’s Furnace Creek saw the world record highest air temperature of 134 F back in July of 1913. But despite the harsh realities of this landscape -- or perhaps because of them -- Death Valley National Park draws thousands of visitors each year, eager to experience this uniquely amplified environment. Brave explorers take to the desert’s severity to hike, bike, horseback ride, and birdwatch.

Death Valley is famous for its extreme weather, with daytime temperatures often presenting actual, physical danger. Although the park sees less than 2 inches of rain per year -- which is much less than what many other deserts experience -- violent late summer rain storms present the risk of flash floods. Spring and winter bring milder temperatures that only rarely dip below freezing, but high winds and cloud cover are common. The park varies tremendously in elevation, and higher areas are much cooler than lower ones; the National Park Service estimates that temperatures drop 3 to 5 F with every thousand vertical feet of elevation gain.

Straddling the California/Nevada border, Death Valley is fairly remote; visitors should ensure they have ample supplies (and fuel!) before they enter the property. However, there are some services available at the small communities within the park, such as Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek; you can also find facilities at area towns like Beatty, Nevada. For a bigger city excursion, the park is also within relatively easy driving distance of Las Vegas.

Although taking on strenuous activity during the hottest part of the calendar year is a dangerous venture at Death Valley, the park is a popular destination for hikers, bikers, bird watchers, and other outdoor recreational seekers. Along with a landscape providing endless opportunities for these diversions, the park also offers some of the darkest skies in the country, making it a prime target for hobby astronomers and star gazers. Park rangers lead an array of guided tours and educational lectures; check the park calendar for full and up-to-date details.