by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Death ValleyGuide Summer 2021 |
Summer edition of the Visitor Guide for Death Valley National Park (NP) in Nevada and California. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
covered parks
Summer
Visitor Guide
J. JURADO
Death Valley National Park
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns
Welcome to Your Death Valley Adventure
Visiting the Park
During COVID-19
Death Valley takes the health of its visitors, staff,
and partners seriously. We encourage you to follow
CDC guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
You Should:
Maintain a 6-foot
distance from others
who aren't in your
group.
Cover your mouth when
you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands
frequently. Soap may not
always be available; bring
your own hand sanitizer.
se 2019 (COVID-19)
What to Expect
During this pandemic, park
managers will be continuously
assessing conditions and guidance
from local, state, and national health
officials in order to respond to
changing conditions.
Facilities such as visitor centers,
restaurants, campgrounds, and
bathrooms will be open when
possible, but may close or offer
limited access due to health
guidance or staffing.
nts on Dialysis Safe
Avoid touching your
face, especially your
eyes, nose, and mouth.
We thank you for your patience
and understanding as we work to
navigate this pandemic in a safe and
responsible manner.
Hottest, Driest, Lowest
Death Valley National Park is the
hottest place on Earth, with a recorded
temperature of 134°F (57°C) on July
10, 1913. It is also the driest U.S.
national park, and Badwater Basin
(-282 feet/-86m) features the lowest
elevation in North America!
These conditions come together to
make Death Valley a land of extremes,
where the powerful heat is a force
of nature, and the air further dries
everything it contacts.
Exploring safely in the summer
means being inside an air conditioned
vehicle or going higher in elevation.
Spending more than a few minutes in
the extreme heat can quickly lead to
dehydration and heat illness, as you
lose more water by sweating than your
body can absorb by drinking.
The summer of 2020 set a number of
heat records (more details on page 6).
On Sunday, August 16, at 3:41 p.m., the
Furnace Creek Thermometer recorded
a high temperature of 130°F (54°C).
Whether auto touring with the air
conditioning on, or walking in the
higher elevations of the park, visiting
in the summer is all about staying cool
and safe.
More Inside...
Entrance Fees and Passes ������������������2
Safety & Rules �����������������������������������3
Things to See ������������������������������������4
Park Map ������������������������������������������5
Wear a mask in all
buildings and where a
6-foot distance cannot
ss that can spread from
person to person,
be maintained, such as
on a busy trail, parking
lot, or view point.
Partnerships ��������������������������������������6
s
Camping�������������������������������������������8
h soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer
Pending official verification, this would
break the August monthly record of
127°F (53°C), and would tie for the
fourth hottest temperature on Earth!
Average Temperatures�����������������������6
Sunrise & Sunset Locations ����������������7
Experiencing Night Skies �������������������7
Visitor Services ���������������������������������8
Junior Ranger
Program
Free Junior Ranger
books are available at the
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
or can be downloaded from our
website. Learn about the park and
complete activities to earn a badge!
If you are unable to turn in your
booklet in person, email pictures of
your book to DEVA_information@
nps.gov and a ranger will check your
work virtually and mail you a badge!
Death Valley National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Parks are Living Museums
Quick Facts
• Size: 3,422,024 acres�
• Establishment: February 11, 1933�
Death Valley National Monument
was established, protecting nearly 2
million acres�
• Redesignation: October 31, 1994�
Another 1�3 million acres were added
and the area redesignated as Death
Valley National Park�
Park Mailing Address
Death Valley National Park
PO Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
Email
DEVA_information@nps�gov
Phone
760-786-3200
Park Website
www�nps�gov/deva
Park Social Media
Facebook�com/DeathValleyNPS
Instagram�com/DeathValleyNPS
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
Entrance Fee Required
Pay your entrance fee at a visitor center or
one of the automated fee machines across
the park. Annual and lifetime passes
cover this fee. U.S. Veterans and Gold Star
families are eligible for free entry.
Show your pass or qualifying identification
at a visitor center to receive a park map
and trip planning information. Display
passes on your vehicle dash while visiting.
7-day Passes
Private Vehicle�������������������������������������$30
Motorcycle������������������������������������������$25
Individual entering on bicycle or foot���$15
Annual and Lifetime Passes
Interagency Annual Pass���������������������$80
Death Valley Annual Pass��������������������$55
Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass����������$80
(for U.S. citizens aged 62+)
Interagency Annual Senior Pass�����������$20
(for U.S. citizens aged 62+)
Interagency Annual Military Pass������� Free
(for active duty military and dependents)
Interagency Access Pass�������������������� Free
(for permanently disabled U.S. citizens)
NPS/E.HOERNER
The National Park Service was established
on August 25, 1916, "... to conserve
the scenery and the natural and historic
objects and the wild life[...] and to
provide for the enjoyment of the same in
such manner and by such means as will
leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment
of future generations�”
Important Protection Measures
Help protect yourself and the park by following these regulations:
Obey speed limits and do
not stop in traffic lanes—
park safely on the shoulder.
Drive only on roads; tire
tracks scar the desert for decades and
destroy the pristine beauty of the park.
Camp only in established
campgrounds or in a
permitted backcountry
area. Check at a
ranger station or visitor center for
backcountry camping information.
Campfires are only allowed
in NPS provided metal fire
pits. Gathering firewood is
prohibited. Check for fire
restrictions and closures.
Put garbage where it
belongs. Litter spoils the
experience for others.
Even fruit peels can take
years to decompose here.
Please recycle. Propane
cylinder recycle bins
are located in most
campgrounds where you
can leave both empty and full canisters.
Stay out of closed areas.
Mines, service roads, and
other areas are closed for
your safety.
Pets are only allowed on
roads and in developed
areas. Pets are prohibited in
Wilderness, on trails, and
in buildings. Dirt roads provide great
places for exploring with pets. Keep
pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Feeding animals is illegal
and dangerous. Once fed
by people, animals tend
to beg near roads, which
endangers the animals and visitors.
Rocks, plants, animals,
and historic objects are
protected just like in a
museum. Picking flowers,
stacking rocks, taking (or even moving)
natural or historic items is not allowed.
Despite being legalized by
California and Nevada,
possession or use of
marijuana is illegal on
federal lands like national parks.
It is illegal to discharge a
firearm anywhere in Death
Valley or to bring one into
a federal building. Hunting
and trapping are illegal in the park.
The use of drones/UAVs
is prohibited in national
parks.
Stop Damage in its Tracks!
Death Valley is seeing an increase in damage from illegal off-road driving; you can help
solve this problem by staying on designated roads and reporting incidents to rangers.
These Scars Can Last a
Lifetime
Driving off roads scars the fragile
desert landscape, leaving damage that
can last for decades. These tracks don't
just disappear with the next rainfall!
Visitors come from around the world
to enjoy the vast landscapes and scenic
beauty. This photographer's paradise
is diminished by every track that cuts
through the pristine and unblemished
desert; don't let poor decisions ruin
others' enjoyment.
Wildflowers & Wildlife
It is Illegal
Tires crush and destroy native plants.
Ruts compact soils and break up
important soil crusts, which prevents
plants like wildflowers from growing in
future years.
In addition to harming the park,
driving off roads is also illegal. A
person driving off-road can be fined at
least $750 and/or get 6 months of jail
time (36 CFR § 4.10).
Tires also spread seeds from weeds
which crowd out native wildflowers
and cause health problems for wildlife.
There are areas on nearby BLM
and Forest Service land where "off
roading" is permitted in accordance
with these agencies' policies. National
parks are set aside for conservation
as well as recreation that does not
damage the resources they protect.
Further, driving off roads threatens the
endangered desert tortoise, and can
crush them while they hibernate.
Other passes honored
Golden Age, Golden Access, Volunteer,
4th Grade (Every Kid Outdoors), and 5th
Grade vouchers.
NPS PHOTO
The fees you pay make a difference!
The park uses these funds for projects
that improve visitor services and protect
natural and cultural resources such as:
• Maintaining campgrounds & facilities.
• Providing education programs that
reach thousands of students.
• Providing emergency medical service.
• Improving accessibility.
Extensive damage from illegal offroad driving on salt flats.
2 Visitor Guide
Safety & Park Rules
Safety
y Water: drink at least one gallon (4
liters) of water per day. Carry plenty
of extra drinking water in your car.
y Heat and dehydration: if you
feel dizzy, nauseous or have a
headache, get out of the sun
immediately and drink plenty of
water� Dampen your clothing to
lower body temperature� Heat and
dehydration can kill�
Sicherheit
y Wasser: Trinken Sie mindestens
vier Liter Wasser pro Tag. Führen Sie
immer noch zusätzliches Trinkwasser
im Auto mit sich.
y Boire de l’eau: buvez du moins
un gallon (4 litres) d’eau par jour.
Apportez beaucoup d’eau potable
supplémentaire dans votre voiture.
y Hitze & Flüssigkeitsverlust: Wenn
Sie sich schwindelig fühlen, Ihnen
übel ist oder Sie Kopfschmerzen
bekommen, gehen Sie sofort aus
der Sonne und trinken Sie reichlich
Wasser. Feuchten Sie Ihre Kleidung
an, um Ihre Körpertemperatur zu
senken. Hitze und Flüssigkeitsverlust
können tödlich sein.
y La chaleur et la déshydratation: si
vous ressentez des étourdissements,
des nausées, ou des maux de tête,
mettez-vous à l’abri du soleil et
buvez beaucoup d’eau. Humectez
des vêtements afin de baisser votre
température corporelle. La chaleur
et la déshydratation peuvent vous
tuer.
y Fahren im Sommer: Bleiben Sie
auf befestigten Straßen. Wenn
Ihr Auto liegenbleibt, bleiben Sie
vor Ort und warten Sie, bis Hilfe
kommt. Seien Sie vorbereitet:
nehmen Sie immer reichlich Wasser
in Ihrem Auto mit.
y La conduite en été: restez sur
les routes pavées. Si votre voiture
tombe en panne, restez là jusqu’à
ce que les secours arrivent. Soyez
prêt; apportez beaucoup d’eau
supplémentaire.
y Bleiben Sie wachsam und fahren
Sie langsam: Die hauptsächliche
Todesursache im Death Valley
ist ein einfacher Autounfall. Ein
Moment der Unachtsamkeit kann
Sie, Ihr Auto und Ihre Lieben dazu
verdammen, in der steinigen Wüste
zu enden.
y Summer driving: stay on paved
roads in the summer� If your car
breaks down, stay with it until help
comes� Be prepared; carry plenty of
extra water.
y Stay alert and slow down: the
most common cause of death in
the park is single car accidents. A
moment of inattention can send
you, your car, and your loved ones
flipping into the rocky desert.
y Do not rely on technology! Your
cell phone will not work in most of
the park. GPS devices frequently tell
Death Valley visitors to turn off welltraveled roads, and take “shortcuts”
over the desert and into canyons.
y Verlassen Sie sich nicht auf die
Technik! Ihr Handy wird im größten
Teil des Parks nicht funktionieren.
GPS Geräte weisen Besucher des
Death Valleys häufig an, die viel
befahrenen Straßen zu verlassen
und “Abkürzungen” durch die
Wüste und die Canyons zu nehmen.
y Dangerous animals: never place
your hands or feet where you
cannot see. Rattlesnakes, scorpions,
or black widow spiders may be
sheltered there.
y Do not enter mine tunnels or
shafts. Mines may be unstable, have
hidden shafts, pockets of bad air,
and poisonous gas.
y Sturzfluten: Meiden Sie die
Canyons während eines Sturms mit
Regen und bereiten Sie sich darauf
vor, jederzeit einen höher gelegenen
Ort aufsuchen zu können� Achten
Sie während der Fahrt auf Wasser,
das in Pfützen und Schlaglöcher
läuft�
y Gefährliche Tiere: Setzen Sie
nie eine Hand oder einen Fuß an
eine Stelle, die Sie vorher nicht
sehen konnten� Klapperschlangen,
Skorpione, oder Schwarze Witwen
(Spinnen) könnten dort Unterschlupf
gefunden haben�
y Betreten Sie keine Minentunnel
oder Schächte� Minen können
instabil sein, versteckte Schächte
haben und Einschlüssen von
schlechter Luft oder giftigem Gas
enthalten�
Regeln
Rules
y Entrance fees apply to all visitors.
y Pets and bicycles are not allowed
on trails or in Wilderness which
covers over 93% of the park.
y Rester vigilant et freiner la
voiture: la principale cause de décès
à Death Valley est un accident
impliquantun seul véhicule. Un
moment d’inattention peut faire
se retourner votre voiture, lançant
vous-même et vos proches dans le
désert rocailleux.
y Ne pas dépendre de la
technologie! Votre téléphone
cellulaire ne marchera pas dans
quasiment tout le parc� Les
dispositifs GPS indiquent aux
y Eintrittsgebühren müssen von
allen Besuchern gezahlt werden�
y Hunde und Fahrräder sind nicht
erlaubt auf Pfaden oder in der
wildnis, die 93% des Parks umfasst�
visiteurs de quitter les grands
chemins et de prendre des
«raccourcis» à travers le désert et
dans les canyons�
y La randonnée: NE faites PAS de la
randonnée dans les zones à basse
altitude en été. Les montagnes
qui entourent Death Valley sont
plus fraîches et il y a beaucoup de
sentiers.
y Les inondations soudaines: evitez
les canyons pendant les orages et
soyez prêt à vous déplacer en terrain
plus élevé. En conduisant, soyez
attentif aux puissants débits d’eau
et aux eaux dans les creux de la
route.
y Les animaux dangereux: ne placez
jamais vos mains ou vos pieds là où
vous ne pouvez pas d’abord voir.
Des crotales, des scorpions, ou des
veuves noires peuvent s’y cacher.
y Ne pas entrer dans les tunnels
ou les puits de mine. Les mines
peuvent être instables, avoir des
puits cachés, ou des poches d’air de
mauvaise qualité et de gaz toxique.
Règles
y Acqua: bevete almeno un gallone
(4 litri) d’acqua ogni giorno. Portate
più acqua nella vostra macchina
in modo da averne abbastanza se
finite l’acqua che portate con voi.
y Caldo e Disidatrazione: se avete
la testa che gira, la nausea o mal di
testa, trovate subito dell’ombra o un
posto dove non c’è il sole e bevete
molta acqua. Inumidite i vestiti per
abbassare la temperatura del corpo.
Il caldo e la disidratazione possono
uccidervi.
y Guidare durante l’estate: rimanete
sulle strade asfaltate. Se la vostra
macchina si guasta, rimanete con la
macchina finché arrivano i soccorsi.
Siate preparati; portate tanta acqua.
y State in allerta e rallentate: la
causa di morte più comune nella
Death Valley è un incidente di una
sola macchina. Un momento di
disattenzione può ribaltare la vostra
macchina nel deserto roccioso, con
voi e i vostri cari dentro.
y Non fate troppo affidamento
sulla tecnologia! Il vostro cellulare
non funziona nella maggior parte
del parco. I GPS dicono spesso ai
visitatori del parco di prendere una
“scorciatoia” attraverso il deserto
e nei canyon, lontano dalle strade
molto trafficate.
y Allagamenti: evitate i canyon
durante i temporali e siate preparati
a muovervi verso un punto più
elevato. Mentre guidate, state
attenti all’acqua che corre attraverso
la strada.
y Animali Pericolosi: non mettere
mai le mani o i piedi dove non
potete vedere. Crotali, scorpioni,
o vedove nere potrebbero esservi
nascosti.
y Non entrare nei tunnel delle
miniere o nei pozzi. Le miniere
potrebbero essere instabili, avere
pozzi nascosti e sacche di aria o gas
tossici�
Regole
y Le tasse di entrata si applicano a
tutti i visitatori�
y Cani e Biciclette non sono
permessi sui sentieri o nell’area
selvatica che copre 93% del parco�
y Non dar da mangiare agli uccelli o
agli animali selvatici� Questa regola
è per la vostra protezione e la salute
della nostra fauna�
y Les droits d’entrée s’appliquent
à tous les visiteurs.
y Les chiens et les vélos sont
interdits sur les sentiers ou aux
milieux sauvages, ce qui couvre
plus de 93 pour cent du parc.
y Füttern Sie keine Vögel oder
wilden Tiere� Dies dient Ihrer
Sicherheit und der Gesundheit
unserer Tierwelt�
y Ne pas alimenter les oiseaux ou
les animaux sauvages. C’est pour
s’assurer votre sécurité aussi bien
que la santé de notre faune et
flore.
y Driving off roads is prohibited.
Stay on established roads.
y Fahren abseits der Straßen ist
verboten� Bleiben Sie auf den
ausgewiesenen Straßen�
y La conduite hors route est
interdite. Restez sur les routes
établies.
y Do not take anything! Leave
rocks, plants, and historic objects
where you find them for everyone
to enjoy.
y Nehmen Sie nichts mit!
Lassen Sie Steine, Pflanzen oder
historische Objekte dort, wo Sie
sie finden, damit jeder sich an
Ihnen erfreuen kann�
y Ne rien prendre! Laissez les
pierres, les plantes, et les objets
historiques là où vous les trouvez
pour que tout le monde puisse en
profiter.
y Do not feed birds or animals. This
is for your safety and the health of
wildlife. Plus, it is against the law!
Sicurezza
y Escursionismo: non fate
escursionismo a basse altitudini
durante l’estate. Le montagne
intorno alla Death Valley sono più
fredde e ci sono molti sentieri.
y Wandern: Wandern Sie im
Sommer NICHT in den tieferen
Lagen. Die Berge, welche das Death
Valley umgeben, sind kühler und
dort gibt es viele Wege.
y Hiking: DO NOT hike in the low
elevations when temperatures are
hot. The mountains are cooler in the
summer.
y Flash floods: avoid canyons
during rain storms and be prepared
to move to higher ground. While
driving, be alert for water running in
washes and across road dips.
Sécurité
y È vietato guidare fuori dalle
strade� Rimanete sulle strade
segnalate�
y Non portate via niente! Lasciate i
sassi, le piante, e gli oggetti storici
dove li avete trovati in modo che
tutti possano goderne�
Visitor Guide 3
Must-See Locations
Check out the options below and for places to see with minimum time in the heat!
Artists
Drive
Walking
Required?
Travel from
Furnace Creek
The lowest point in North
America, at 282 ft (86 m)
below sea level, a surreal
landscape of vast salt flats.
You can see the salt
flat from your vehicle.
A short walk on a
boardwalk takes you
over salt flats.
17 mi (27 km) south on
Badwater Road
30 minutes
A scenic loop drive through
multi-hued hills. The 9 mile
(14.5 km) drive is one-way.
No vehicles over 25 feet long.
Enjoy the views from
your vehicle. A short
stop at Artists Palette
would require exiting
your vehicle.
Entrance to the
one way road is
8.5 mi (13.7 km) south on
Badwater Road
15 minutes
Golden colored badlands and
a spectacular spot for sunrise.
A 1/4 mi (400 m)
distance, 60 ft (18 m)
elevation gain walk
up a paved path to the
viewpoint from the
parking area.
4.8 mi (7.7 km) east on
Highway 190
15 minutes
Zabriskie
Point
E. HOERNER
Badwater
Basin
Description
E. HOERNER
Location
J. JURADO
1 - 2 Hours — The do-not-miss list for a visit to Death Valley!
Dantes
View
Harmony
Borax Works
Walking
Required?
Travel from
Furnace Creek
Tawny dunes smoothly rise
nearly 100 ft (30 m) from
Mesquite Flat.
The dunes can be
viewed from
your vehicle. Sand
temperatures can be hot
enough to melt sandals
midday; use caution!
22.4 mi (36 km) west on
Highway 190
30 minutes
Breathtaking viewpoint over
5,000 ft (1,500 m) above Death
Valley.
No vehicles over 25 feet long.
No walking required.
ADA accessible viewing
platform. Higher
elevation offers slightly
cooler temperatures.
12 mi (19 km) east on
Highway 190; 13.2 mi
(21 km) on Dantes View
Road
1 hour
Borax was some of the most
profitable ore mined in the
park. See historic processing
ruins and a replica of a famed
20-mule team wagon.
A 0.4 mi (650 m)
distance, 35 ft (11 m)
elevation gain walk on a
paved path.
1 mi (1.6 km) west on
Highway 190
3 minutes
E. HOERNER
Mesquite Flat
Sand Dunes
Description
NPS PHOTO
Location
K. MOSES
Extra few hours — Stop at one of these unique spots, but be sure to avoid afternoon heat!
Charcoal
Kilns
Father
Crowley
Vista Point
4 Visitor Guide
Travel from
Furnace Creek
The view is a short walk
from your vehicle along
a paved path.
17.1 mi (27.5 km) west on
Highway 190;
33.4 mi (53.8 km) on
North Highway to
Ubehebe Crater Road
1 hour
These ten beehive-shaped
structures are among the best
preserved in the west. Built in
1876 to provide fuel to process
silver/lead ore.
No vehicles over 25 feet long.
The kilns can be viewed
from your vehicle.
33.6 mi (54 km) west on
Highway 190; 28.2 mi
(45.4 km) on Emigrant
Canyon Road 2 mi (3 km)
are gravel
1.5 hours
A landscape of lava flows and
volcanic cinders created the
colorful layers of Rainbow
Canyon. Possible viewing of
military training flights.
A view into Rainbow
Canyon is a short walk
from your vehicle along
a paved path.
62.8 mi (101 km) west on
Highway 190
1.5 hours
Roughly 2,000 years ago, rising
magma came into contact with
groundwater, resulting in a
steam and gas explosion that
left a 600 ft (183 m) crater.
E. HOERNER
Ubehebe
Crater
Walking
Required?
Description
W. KESSLER
Location
W. KESSLER
Half Day Adventures — Add these longer adventures to see different parts of the park!
Park Map
More detailed maps are available upon request at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Not all roads are shown.
Lida
To Tonopah
and Reno
266
Paved road
Unpaved road
High clearance
4x4 road
Hiking trail
Timbisha Shoshone
trust lands
Salt flats
95
168
Gold Point
To Big Pine
No RV's or trailers longer than 25 feet on:
• Artists Drive
• Dantes View beyond trailer parking lot
• Emigrant Canyon Road
• Wildrose Road
267
Eureka Dunes
Eureka
Dunes
Deep
sand
D
le E
st OS
Ca L
’s d C
y
t a
ot Ro
Sc nd
a
Racetr
ack
Roa
d
Ubehebe
Crater
Grapevine
Mesquite
Spring
Rhyolite
(ghost town)
Tit
us
Sharp rock;
requires heavyduty tires.
d
oa
Can yon R
Da
Warm Springs
Saline
Valley
Dunes
ht
ig
yl
Beatty
ad
Ro
ss
Pa
374
95
Information
The
Racetrack
To Manzanar, Bishop,
and Yosemite
Lone Pine
Stovepipe Wells
Village
Homestake
Dry Camp
Eastern
Sierra
Interagency
Visitor Center
nt
igra
Em
395
Harmony
Borax
Works
Palette
o
ne
y
wa
Panamint Springs
Wildrose
Darwin
Wildrose
Peak Trail
Charcoal Kilns
Thorndike
Mahogany
Flat
Furnace Creek
373
Devils Hole
Death Valley
National Park
Natural
Bridge
Devils
Golf Course
Badwater
ASH MEADOWS
NATIONAL
WILDLIFE
REFUGE
127
Drive
ad
Ro
Darwin
Falls
Amargosa Valley
Zabriskie Point
20 Mule
Golden Canyon
Team Canyon
Artists
Artists
Information
C
190
190
Furnace Creek
n
yo
an
Father Crowley
Vista Point
To Las
Vegas
Mesquite Flat
Sand Dunes Salt Creek
Interpretive 190
Trail
Keeler
Panamint
Dunes
Lathrop Wells
Keane Wonder
Mill and Mine
Mesquite
Dunes
Mosaic
Canyon
Emigrant
136
Olancha
Ranger station
Campground
RV dump station
Picnic area
Restaurant
Lodging
Gas station
Store
Restroom
Accessible
190
Trailer
parking
Death Valley
Junction
To Pahrump
& Las Vegas
Dantes
View
Telescope Peak
Furnace
Creek
Airport
West S
Sunset
id
ad
Texas
Springs
Ranch at Death Valley
e
Ro
Furnace Creek
Visitor Center
Shoshone
Borax Museum
To Pahrump
& Las Vegas
Timbisha Shoshone
Village (private)
0
190
Ashford Mill
(ruins)
Inn at
Death Valley
127
To Tecopa
& Las Vegas
0.5 Kilometer
0.5 Mile
0
Trona
395
Ibex
Dunes
178
Ridgecrest
North
To Los Angeles
01
01
10 Kilometers
10 Miles
Visitor Guide 5
J. JURADO
Get to Know Death Valley
A Record Setting August
Average Temperatures
Death Valley National Park is the hottest
place on Earth, with the record setting
temperature of 134 °F (57°C) measured on
July 10, 1913!
Death Valley is a place known for its extreme heat. On August 16, 2020, the park
recorded one of its hottest temperatures ever.
Hottest Days on Earth
If verified, the 130 °F would tie for
the 4th most reliably measured, alltime global high temperature and the
hottest temperature officially verified
on Earth since July 1931. It would also
be the hottest in the park since 1913:
Average monthly temperatures for low
elevations:
Month
Maximum
Minimum
January
67°F (19°C)
40°F (4°C)
February
73°F (23°C)
46°F (8°C)
March
82°F (27°C)
55°F (13°C)
April
90°F (32°C)
62°F (17°C)
May
100°F (38°C)
73°F (23°C)
June
110°F (43°C)
81°F (27°C)
July
116°F (47°C)
88°F (31°C)
August
115°F (46°C)
86°F (30°C)
September
106°F (41°C)
76°F (24°C)
October
93°F (34°C)
61°F (16°C)
November
77°F (25°C)
48°F (9°C)
December
65°F (18°C)
38°F (3°C)
134°F: July 10, 1913 at Furnace Creek
131°F: July 13, 1913 at Furnace Creek
131°F: July 7, 1931 at Kebili, Tunisia
130 °F: July 12, 1913 at Furnace Creek
130°F: August 16, 2020 at Furnace
Creek (preliminary data).
Furnace Creek Weather
Station
Temperatures have been recorded
daily at Furnace Creek since June 8,
1911. The weather station was located
at Greenland Ranch (now the Ranch
at Furnace Creek), and was moved
near the visitor center in 1961.
In 2015, the National Weather Service
took a major step forward by installing
an automated and telemetered weather
observation system, which after testing
became the official station in 2018.
The temperature sensor is rated up
to 158°F and measures at 0.018°F
accuracy.
This high temperature is considered
preliminary pending a formal review.
A Climate Extremes Committee of
experts will be formed to verify the
validity of the reading. This process
will take some time; an announcement
will be posted once completed.
Partnerships
Pets in the Park
Many programs across the National Park Service are built on partnerships and
philanthropy, helping expand opportunities and outreach.
Bringing a pet to Death Valley may limit
some of your activities and explorations
in the park. Follow these pet regulations
to ensure a safer, more enjoyable visit for
yourselves, your pet, other park visitors,
and the park's wildlife.
Death Valley Natural
History Association
This non-profit organization operates
bookstores at the Furnace Creek
Visitor Center, Stovepipe Wells Ranger
Station, and Ash Meadows National
Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
Funds raised by bookstore sales and
donations add up to make a real
difference! Recently, the association
donated nearly a half million dollars
to the park, helping fund projects
including wilderness restoration,
printing Junior Ranger books, funding
interns, supporting the Dark Sky
Festival, transportation grants for
school groups, historic preservation
work for Scotty's Castle, and more.
When purchasing their products in
person or online, you are helping
support the park!
Death Valley Conservancy
Incorporated in 2008, this non-profit
group was founded by dedicated
Death Valley enthusiasts as a way to
develop, support, and fund projects
and programs that enhance research,
education, and historic preservation.
Donations to this philanthropic group
from park supporters and visitors have
helped support school group visits,
restoration projects for Scotty's Castle,
exact replicas of the Borax Wagons,
Devils Hole pupfish research, and
additional education and outreach
programs to help share the wonders of
Death Valley.
NPS PHOTO
D.MANLEY
• Pets are not allowed on trails, off roads,
or in Wilderness areas. Your pet can
only go where your car can go.
• Walk pets only on dirt or paved roads.
Be sure to stop and feel the ground
often—ground temperatures can reach
160°F-200°F, enough to cause 3rd
degree burns!
• You may not leave your pet unattended
in vehicles if it creates a danger to the
animal, or if the animal becomes a
nuisance. Minutes in a hot car can kill.
• If you plan to hike, someone must stay
behind with the pet, or you will need
to make arrangements with a kennel
service. There is no kennel service in
the park.
• Pets need to be on a leash no longer
than six feet in length at all times.
• Park regulations require that you always
clean up after your pet and dispose of
waste in trash receptacles.
Death Valley Natural History Association's bookstore in the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
6 Visitor Guide
Verification
M. HARDRIDGE
The Skies Above
Where is the best place to see the
sunrise or sunset? Truly, the answer
is anywhere in the park! With huge
horizons and dramatic scenery, it is
spectacular wherever you are.
Sunrise light at Zabriskie Point illuminating the
tallest peaks.
Both sunrise and sunset create beautiful shadows
at the Mesquite Dunes.
You can help bring stargazing
opportunities like this closer to home.
If you, your neighbors, and local
businesses turn off outside lights
when they're not needed, use shielded
fixtures to help cover bulbs, and use
energy saving features like timers or
motion sensors so lights are only on
when needed, the change could be
significant! Consider being a dark sky
ambassador for your neighborhood!
Attend a Night Sky ranger program when available!
Orion over the salt flats at Badwater.
Seeing the stars at Death Valley can be
an incredible part of your visit! Here are
a few suggestions for the best possible
experience:
During your visit, we recommend
checking out the dark night skies at:
• Harmony Borax Works
• Mesquite Sand Dunes
• Dantes View
• Father Crowley Vista Point
• Badwater Basin
• Most roadside pull-outs
• Visit during the new moon! This
is when the moon isn't reflecting
any light into the night sky and it is
darkest.
• Stay out long enough! It takes
about 30 minutes without looking
at light for your eyes to adjust to the
darkness.
• Use a red light. Cover flashlights with
red cellophane if possible. Red light
has the least impact on adjusting your
eyes.
• Seek a large horizon. If you are too
close to hills or mountains, they may
block large areas of stars from view.
• Bring binoculars! Although not a
telescope, even these can help bring a
greater number of stars into focus.
• Location! Most every area of the park
can be good for viewing, as long as
you get a short distance from areas
with light. Even getting a mile away
from buildings or campgrounds can
be a big help!
W. KESSLER
NPS PHOTO
Our dark night skies can be attributed
not only to the remoteness of the park,
but also to rethinking our lighting.
Low energy, downward pointing lights
at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells
help protect the night sky.
During your visit, we encourage
you to take a moment to look up
and experience the wonder of truly
dark skies. Here, without need for a
telescope, stars can be seen with just
your bare eyes.
T. NORDGREN
Why can so many stars be seen here?
The answer is simple: darkness. With
so few lights polluting our night skies
with glow, stars are visible here by
the thousands—like they were to
generations past.
•
Night Sky Viewing Tips
Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park with a Gold Tier rating. The skies here
are virtually free of light pollution, so stars can be seen by the thousands!
Stargazing under some of the darkest
night skies in the country can be an
unforgettable experience!
•
Mesquite Sand Dunes: shadows
grow longer and the wind-blown
ripples come into sharper focus.
Dantes View or Zabriskie Point:
see the sun set behind the
Panamint Mountains.
Badwater Basin: watch shadows
grow across the salt flats.
Artists Drive: early evening light
brings excellent shadows to these
colorful hills.
See the sunset over the salt flats at Badwater.
The sun setting across Panamint Valley.
Night Skies
Seeing Stars
•
•
Ranger sunset favorites include:
• Father Crowley Vista Point: the
light fades across the Cottonwood
Mountains to the east.
K. MOSES
E. HO