Governed by the National Park Service, Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest of the national parks in the United States. The park contains more than 5,000 square miles and includes a variety of species of plants and animals that have adapted to the severe desert dwelling. Each year more than 700,000 visitors flock to the Death Valley National Park to appreciate the unique geology, wildlife, historic locations and breathtaking views.
Hiking
Death Valley National Park offers miles and miles of trails and routes for hiking and walking. The majority of paths travel along canyons or ridges where footing can be rocky. The Badwater Salt Flats extend five miles across and allow travelers to visit the nation's lowest elevation at 282 feet below sea level. Darwin Falls is a one-mile trail that contains waterfalls and abundant vegetation nestled inside of a rugged canyon. For more experienced and adventurous hikers, Telescope Peak is a seven-mile trail that takes visitors to the highest elevation at the park at more than 11,000 feet.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
An indoor activity includes a visit discover the history of Death Valley National Park at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Museum. The center is open daily year-round and offers continuous 15-minute slide presentations throughout the course of the day. In the winter season, rangers provide presentations about the cultural and natural history of the national park. The center also contains displays concerning the geology, climate, wildlife and history of Death Valley National Park.
Mountain Biking
Cycling enthusiasts can take advantage of the more than 700 miles of dirt and paved roads available for mountain biking. Bicycles can be used on any park road that is open public traffic. Riders are forbidden to ride on hiking trails. Mountain bikers can choose from a variety of roads that vary in degree of difficulty. Biking routes also vary in length, as some are as short as one mile. At 40 miles long, West Side Rod is the park's longest bike route. Along the way, riders can enjoy picturesque views.
Devil's Golf Course
Not an actual golf course, Devil's Golf Course is the largest salt pan in the United States. A salt pan is a level ground covered with salt. The jagged surface of Devil's Golf Course is created by enormous salt crystals. The name is taken from a 1934 guide book that suggested that only the devil could play golf on the terrain. Devil's Golf Course is a vast area of rock salt worn away by wind and precipitation that formed rugged spires. The salt and gravel beds of Devil's Golf Course stretch to depths of more than 1,000 feet. In wet weather, Devil's Golf Course is closed.
Scotty's Castle
Scotty's Castle, also known as Death Valley Ranch, is a two-story Spanish-style mansion built as a vacation home in the early 1900s. Living history tours of the castle, conducted by park ranges clad in 1930s grab, take visitors into the intricately furnished structure. The tour includes a visit to the Upper Music Room, where visitors can hear the sounds of an organ with more than 1,000 pipes. An Underground Mystery Tour offer visitors the chance to walk through a labyrinth of tunnels located in the castle's basement. Rangers display the castle's famous hydro-electric power technology that allowed residents to enjoy amenities, including an electric piano and organ. The castle is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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