Death Valley

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