August 10, 2003
Although all national parks are worth visiting, some are more captivating than others. Death Valley National Park is one of those. Boasting the lowest point in the western hemisphere, to those who have never seen Death Valley, its vast array of landscapes will surprise you. Despite its name, it is full of vegetation and life. There is much to see and experience. So if you plan to visit, try to spend several full days.
Where to Camp
There are many campgrounds in the area. Some are open only seasonally due to extreme temperatures. Furnace Creek, located next to the Visitor’s Center has the most shaded sites and is centrally located to many of the hikes and drives. However, the Mesquite Spring campground and Stovepipe Wells campgrounds are nice as well. Most offer only dry camping, but water and dump stations are available. However, there is an RV park with full hookups located at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Don’t miss these highlights:
There are many more things to do than what is listed below, but these were some of our favorites.
· Artist’s Drive is located a few miles south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and is a scenic nine mile drive.
· Located by Stovepipe Wells Village, the Sand Dunes are great for hiking and taking pictures.
· Devil’s Golf Course, comprised of unique salt sculptures, is just a short drive north of Badwater, the lowest point in the United States.
· Ubehebe Crater, created by a volcanic eruption over 1,000 years ago, has a spectacular hiking trail around the rim.
· Once a thriving town of over 12,000 residents, Rhyolite ghost town has several remaining structures. It is located east of Death Valley on hwy 374 next to Beatty.
· On the northern end of the park, visit Scottys Castle, designed as a vacation retreat in 1922 for a wealthy Midwesterner.
· If golfing is your game, you may want to tee off at Furnace Creek Golf Course, the lowest elevation golf course in the world.
By the way, some of the roads in Death Valley are not easily accessible by car. So if you have an off-road vehicle, you will be privy to sights that the rest of us cannot access. (like The Racetrack). However, there are plenty of spots like those mentioned above that are all car-friendly that you should not miss.
Visit www.death.valley.national-park.com for more information on your next visit to Death Valley.
