The third US National Park visited on #NgoDangNormalRoadTrip was to Death Valley National Park, in eastern California near the Nevada border.
Death Valley is one of my favorite parks, because it is a land of extremes:
- Largest national park in the contiguous 48 states
- 3.4 million acres across California & Nevada
- Twice the size of Delaware
- Hottest place on Earth
- 134 F degrees on July 10, 1913 at Furnace Creek
- Lowest point in North America
- Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level
- Driest national park
- Storms coming in from the Pacific Ocean pass over a few mountains going east. The moisture falls as rain or snow on the western side of the range, so by the time it reaches the east, Death Valley, all the precipitation has been dropped so all you see is a “rainshadow”. Multiply this effect by 4 different mountain ranges and you get the driest place in the US.
- Avg rainfall is 2 inches annually, with some years with no rain at all!
Death Valley was designated a National Park on October 31, 1994 by President Bill Clinton.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Joshua Tree National Park, we drove 4 hours to Death Valley Junction (eastern side of Death Valley National Park). Once we turned left onto State Road 190, the first left turn you should make should be onto Dantes View Road to see Dante’s View (famed as one of the most extraordinary views in the world).
ZABRISKIE POINT
Zabriskie Point is the next attraction off of SR 190. Although it is a short walk from the parking lot to the viewing area, the summertime heat will blast you and feel much more strenuous than expected. The views of the badlands (aka Mars) are worth it!
Tip: If you can work it out, this would be a great spot for Sunrise or Sunset
FURNACE CREEK VISITOR CENTER
The main visitor center in the park, stop here for the day’s update on road closures and vital info.
DEVIL’S GOLF COURSE
Devil’s Golf Course is a giant “evaporating dish” remnant of a past lake. What used to be one of Death Valley’s most significant lakes is now an area of jagged salt rocks, so serrated and gnarled that it is said “only the devil could play golf on such rough links”.
BADWATER ROAD
BADWATER BASIN
The lowest point in North America is here at Badwater Basin. This area used to be an extremely briny, 30 foot deep lake, 4x saltier than the ocean! These salt flats are an incredible sight to see, especially with the Black Mountains in the distance.
ARTIST’S DRIVE
This scenic drive is 9 miles long on a winding one-way road between rolling hills of all different colors: green, blue, yellow, pink, orange… The Artist’s Palette is so cool, and even better when the afternoon sun has set a bit.
MESQUITE SAND DUNES
My favorite part of Death Valley is the sand dune wonderland near Stovepipe Wells. The dunes reach up to 100 feet and are surrounded by the Cottonwood Mountains.
Tip: Go here for Sunset, then stay after dark for Moonlight Guided Star Walks!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Panamint Springs Resort, on the National Park grounds, is on the western portion of the park. Check in is a bit confusing, as you have to check in at the gas station/convenience store! The lodging is rustic western style, basic, low budget but the darkness of the evening is a beautiful night sky to behold.
NEXT TIME
On my return to Death Valley I wouldn’t miss:
Dante’s View
Titus Canyon- Klare Spring for the Bighorn Sheep
The Racetrack- Playa, dry lakebed with the “strange moving rocks”
Darwin Falls
ROAD TRIP
Driving a Jeep Wrangler with my bestie, Geo, through Death Valley and eventually through Olancha, California was one of the most scenic drives I’ve ever done! When natural formations make you think twice if it was man-made or God sculpted, to abandoned houses that just call your name to explore. Very fortunate to have a buddy to share this experience with.
Thank you for joining in the Death Valley journey!
Love,
Mel
All photos taken by Melllypoo via Canon6D.
oh wow! this is so cool, i’ve never been but always wondered what death valley is like. love your documented experience!
I’m obsessed with this post, as well as the location. Amazing photography, no words. Every picture is better than the next.
goodness! these photos are gorgeous and capture so much detail! I’ve never been there but would love to visit one day ;)
Your photos and descriptions are amazing! Thanks for sharing your journey!
These photos are just BREATHTAKING!!! Makes me want to get into my car and just DRIVE.
Wow this would be an amazing place to see. I love the views and all the fun facts you gave! Great pictures too!
XO-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
WOW! It’s beautiful. Love that 1st pic of you jumping!
Wow this looks incredible! You are brave to be wearing a long dress in a place that has temps up to 121! lol I don’t think I would make it there :) great post!
Mell!!! You are the luckiest!!! I love your national parks visits, you know what, next year I’m going to the USA because I have a wedding in Washington DC, so I wanna plan a visit to any national park, is there any that you could recommend near Washington DC?
Ive been wanting to go here!! It looks so beautiful. Would be a fun road trip!
Love this place and love all those pictures you took! Love<3 Bell Bell
Love this place and love all those pictures you took! This place is SUPER COO Love<3 Bell Bell
This looks incredible — I want to visit!!
Wow! This scenery and these pictures are beautiful! Interesting facts about Death Valley too.
You photos are incredible! Such breathtaking scenery. I’m now dying to visit Death Valley.
Great pictures Melissa! Keep up the good work.
This looks absolutely incredible. I’m just literally in awe. Thank you so much for sharing and adding another destination to my bucket list. Seriously, amazing!
Beautiful photos! Such interesting looking landscape. I have to go!