Death Valley National Park
Hottest Place on Earth
Desert Wildflower Updates Jan - May
Badwater
Death Valley National Park comprises more than 3.3 million acres of spectacular desert scenery, rare desert wildlife, complex geology, undisturbed wilderness and sites of historical interest. Death Valley is unique because it contains the lowest, hottest, driest location in North America. Nearly 550 square miles of its area lie below sea level. Ecologically, its plants and animals are representative of the Mojave Desert.
Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth, attaining the highest temperature ever recorded, 134 degrees F. in 1913. It contains the lowest point in the western hemisphere -- 282 feet below sea level near Badwater -- as well as numerous high-rising mountain peaks, including Telescope Peak at over 11,000 feet. Death Valley was named by gold-seekers, some of whom died crossing the valley during the 1849 California gold rush.
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General Information
Rates & Fees
Vehicle Entrance Fee: $25.00 for 7 Days
This permit allows all persons traveling with the permit holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Individual Entrance Fee: $12.00 for 7 Days
This permit allows a single individual traveling on foot or bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Motorcycle Entrance Fee $20 for 7 Days
Activity Fees Scotty's Castle
Living History Tour & Underground Tour
Scotty's Castle CLOSED until 2019 due to flood damage.
Flooding in Grapevine Canyon from a severe thunderstorm has destroyed the road to Scotty's Castle, damaged infrastructure and some out-buildings in the Castle complex. More...
Seasons / Hours
The park is open 24 hours a day, year round.
Visitor Center
- Located at Furnace Creek near the junction of California routes 178 and 190. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is open daily in summer and winter.
- National Park Service ranger/information stations:
- Wildrose Campground, Route 178 at the west end of the park
- Stovepipe Wells on Route 190
- Shoshone, near the junction of California routes 178 and 127
- Beatty, Nevada on Route 374 near U.S. Route 95
Facilities/Features
Stores/Museums
Located in the center of the park, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, a visitor information desk, and the Death Valley Natural History Association bookstore.
There is a contact and fee collection station at Stovepipe Wells Village with a Natural History Association book sales outlet.
The tour ticket office at Scotty's Castle also has a book sales outlet and a small museum with displays from the Castle collection.
Programs & Events
The Death Valley 49er's annual encampment takes place the second weekend in November. The encampment draws thousands of campers to programs, sing alongs, art shows, square dances, and backcountry tours.
Ranger Nature Tours
During the peak season, November through April, ranger guided hikes, talks, and evening programs are presented. A weekly schedule of programs is available at the Visitor Center.
Food/Supplies
The Furnace Creek Ranch and the Stovepipe Wells Village both provide small camper stores with staple goods and limited supplies. There are also gas stations at both locations.
Accessibility
Most park facilities have been upgraded for accessibility, while others could be used with assistance.
Take a quick ride through Titus Canyon
More Videos
Video on Death Valley National Park
Death Valley Overview
Scotty' Castle
Titus Canyon
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Map | Description | Things
To Do| Camping/Lodging | Nearby
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