Death Valley National Park

Slide Show

Panorama

Badwater from Telescope Peak

 

Death Valley National Park is home to the lowest point in the United States: Badwater  282 feet below sea level. It is also the largest national park in the contiguous United States. 

These pages provide details about trails, camping and other information to make your trip easier and more enjoyable while visiting Death Valley. 

Fast Facts
Location: Eastern  California  (130  miles from Vegas) Time Zone: Pacific Time 
Elevation Range: -282 to 11, 049 feet Highest Peak: Telescope Peak (11,049 feet)
Camp Grounds: Yes Size: 3.3 million acres
Permits: None needed for day hikes Backcountry camping: Free voluntary permits.
Best Season:  Winter-  Monthly Temperature Chart Entrance fee: $10 per car - Good for 7 days
Pets: Not permitted on trails or wilderness areas. Bears: No
Visitor Center: Furnace Creek - 8 am to 6 pm everyday   (760) 786-3200
Special Attractions: Scotty's Castle Water: Dependable springs in Panamint Range.
Closest Town: Furnace Creek Gas: Stovepipe Wells
Hours: The park and all entrances are open 24 hours a day Weather  www.nps.gov/deva/FrameSet_roads.htm 
(click on "Morning Reports" - updated daily)

Big

Death Valley is the largest national park outside of Alaska in the United States. It's also  consistently the hottest place on earth! There is so much to see and do in Death Valley you could spend a lifetime exploring and taking in the sights. Everyone needs to hike to the sand dunes. It's a once in lifetime experience. Death Valley is home to hundreds of canyons and washes. There are also numerous peaks in the mountains surrounding Death Valley.

Camp Grounds in Death Valley

Emigrant:  Free, 10 sites, tents only, restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables. No fires.
Location: Emigrant Canyon road.
Elevation: 2,100 feet   
Open: Year round 
Reservations: First come.

Furnace Creek: $16 winter; $12 winter per night,  136 sites, flush toilets, water, picnic tables, firepits.
Location: Furnace Creek
Elevation: -196 feet 
Open: Year round
Reservations: Required  http://reservations.nps.gov/ 1-800-365-2267

Mahogany Flat: Free, 10 sites, pit toilets, picnic tables, firepits, NO water.
Location
: Panamint Mountains-Telescope Peak trailhead. High clearance vehicle recommended.
Elevation: 8,000 feet  
Open: 3-1-2003 to 11-30-2003
Reservations: First come.

Mesquite Spring: $ 10.00 per night, 30 sites, flush toilets, water, picnic tables, firepits, showers, no pets.
Location: 3 miles from Scotty's Castle
Elevation: 1,800 feet
Open: Year-round
Reservations http://reservations.nps.gov/ 1-800-436-7275
Stovepipe Wells: $10.00 per night, 190 sites with water, flush toilets, firepits, picnic tables.
Location: Stovepipe Wells.
Elevation: Sea level. 
Open: 10-01-2002 to 4-15-2003
Reservations http://reservations.nps.gov/ 1-800-436-7275
Sunset: $10.00 per night, 1000 sites, flush toilets. No fires allowed
Location:
Elevation: -196 feet
Open: 10-10-2002 to 4-15-2003
Reservations http://reservations.nps.gov/ 1-800-436-7275 

 Here's a brief list of lodging in the park.
                           

Furnace Creek Inn (760) 786-2345
Furnace Creek Ranch (760) 786-2345
Panamint Springs Resort (775) 482-7680

Hiking Trails

Trail Distance Difficulty Trailhead
Golden Canyon Interpretive Trail 2 miles Easy Golden Canyon 
parking area
Gower Gulch Loop 4 miles Moderate Golden Canyon 
parking area
Desolation Canyon 2 miles Easy End of left for of Desolation Road
Natural Bridge Canyon 3.0 miles Easy Natural Bridge 
parking area
Sand Dunes 2 miles Easy Sand Dunes 
parking area
Mosaic Canyon 4 miles Moderate Mosaic Canyon
parking area
Telescope Peak 14 miles Strenuous Mahogany Flats