"Alive and well in Death Valley " a Death Valley National Park Travel Page by mht_in_la

Covering more than 3.3 million acres, Death Valley National Park is the biggest national park in the continental United States. It has the lowest elevation in the western hemisphere (Badwater at 282 feet below sea level), and also mountain range above 11,000 feet (highest peak Telescope at 11,049 feet). It has unique geological wonders such as craters and salt flats, and one-of-a-kind animals you won't find elsewhere like pupfish.

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Little Crater

Not an all-season park

I first visited Death Valley National Park in August 2001, and boy what a mistake. It was so hot that I couldn't wait to drive myself out of there. Before I went I asked my friend how hot the desert gets in August and he said it's not too bad. Little did I know my friend runs Badwater marathon every year and has a different tolerance level. So be warned, it can get hot in the summer, often above 120 degree F.

In year 2003 I made a second visit in late November. Despite the short daylight, the weather was comfortable (still dry). Death Valley is by no means an all-season park. In my opinion, spring is the best time to visit -- weather is nice, daylight not too short, and you get to see wild flowers and pupfish (start to come out in February). Only visit here in the summer if you want to test yourself and your car in the heat.

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Morning has broken in Death Valley

Things to see...

Death Valley has diversified geological features and interesting human history. Here I come up with a list of interesting things to see:
1. sand dunes (the most accessible ones are in Stovepipe Wells)
2. Badwater (lowest in western hemisphere)
3. badlands (Salt Flats, Zabriskie Point, etc.)
4. craters (volcanic, not impact)
5. mines (gold, silver, and borax)
6. ghost towns (serious dirt road driving required)
7. skating rocks (in Racetrack, hard to get to)