Death Valley National Park, California

Death Valley is a land of contrasts, with many different terrains in the park, from sand dunes to salt flats to canyons. Badwater, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest point in North America and is a mere 100 miles from Mount Whitney at 14,491 feet above sea level.

There's a lot more that we didn't get around to seeing/hiking, and Highway 190 from Furnace Creek to Death Valley Junction was closed, as all 2.5 inches of average annual rainfall had fallen in the course of 24 hours about 6 months before our trip.

Quick Tips:

The amount of rainfall is supposed to be at a low average of 2.5 inches per annum, but it poured buckets while we were there.

Most people should be luckier and expect hot, hot, hot, sunny days. Bring lots of water and a hat when you hike.

Best Way To Get Around:

You definitely need a vehicle to get there and travel around.

Best Things Nearby:


Best Things About the Resort:


Resort Experience:
This was large and well maintained, with spaces for tents, RV's, and camper/trailers, with cabins available across the road. A shower and the pool were available for $3 per day with in/out privileges.

• Campground Type: National Park
• Campsite Type: Tent
• Price Range: $0 - $10
• Cleanliness: Excellent
• Campground Facilities: Very Good
• Recreational Facilities: Very Good
• Campsite Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

This is the lowest point at 282 feet below sea level. The salt basin is right in front of the parking lot, with a sign high above on the hills behind marking sea level.

The amazing things here are the salt deposits. Instead of being just a flat plain as you might expect, the salt has formed hexagonal interlocking rings, as the water dried out. Strangely enough, where people have trampled on the salt, the area is almost plain white. As you head further away from where most people stop, the land appears dirtier!

Also at the start of the parking lot is a small pond, which surprisingly has not dried out and has life in it, including snails, but we didn't see any.

The start of this trail used to be paved believe it or not! And you can see remnants of the paving that hasn't been swept away by the supposedly violent torrents of water that gush down here the few times that it rains. The hike to end of the trail rewards you with a view of steep red cliffs. Along the way you can see white mineral deposits (borax) in between the layers of rock.

You may be able to catch a beautiful sunset, nature willing, if you go in the afternoon. Don't forget to bring a flashlight if you do!

The crater was created by an explosion,which occured when water turned into steam when it came into contact with the lava.

It was fun to climb down inside the crater, but not so fun climbing back up. For a less strenuous but longer hike, go around the crater. You'll also be able to see a smaller crater next to this one.

Visit the Sahara without going to Africa!

Death Valley is a desert, so you'd expect there to be sand dunes. Bring a cheap board and see if you surf down the larger dunes. It rained (surprisingly) when I was there, which was supposed to make the sand more slippery. Wheeeeee . . .