Death Valley
sits at the lowest elevation in North America, over 200 feet below sea level. Generating little rain and some of the hottest temperatures in the United States, Death Valley National Park contains salt flats, mountains and sand dunes. Within the park, you'll see rugged landscapes and signs of ancient cultures who lived in the area. You'll also find the darkest night sky in the United States.
Instructions
1. Hike one of the park's trails to see colorful canyons, petroglyphs, wildlife and mountain peaks. Exercise caution when hiking in lower elevations and in hot weather. Hikers can easily become dehydrated or suffer heat stroke in Death Valley without proper preparation.
2. Drive the nine mile loop of Artist's Drive. You'll see various rock colors and the formation shows the Valley's explosive volcanic past. Late afternoon provides soft light for painters and photographers.
3. Climb to Dante's View, one of the most breathtaking views in the park. A paved road, for vehicles fewer than 25 feet, takes visitors to the overlook area. Look for Blackwater Basin and Telegraph Peak.
4. Tour Scotty's Castle, an elaborate Spanish-style mansion. Costumed park rangers offer living history tours daily as well as an underground tour of the castle's basement and tunnels.
5. Visit one of Death Valley's ghost towns. Once a popular mining area, towns now lie in ruins if anything is left at all. Some towns require visitors to hike in as they're located in more remote areas, but the Rhyolite Ghost Town is accessible by car and has several ruins.
6. Stargaze at night for one of the clearest sky views in the United States. The remote location and geology mean you'll have a dark sky, unobstructed by city lights, to see stars in. The park is a popular spot to stargaze.
7. Travel around the park on the many paved and unpaved roads. Unpaved roads can be rough and you may not be covered if you take a rental on one of them. However, you can see a great deal of the park's natural formations.
Tags: Death Valley, United States, Death Valley National, National Park, Valley National, Valley National Park, Visit Death
