- States: CA, NV
- NPCA Region: Pacific
- Est. Date: 1933
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Significant Concern
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
A world of extremes, Death Valley is the nation's driest, hottest and lowest place, but also features mountains over 11,000 feet high that experience below-zero weather and snow, as well as colorful badlands, sand dunes and canyons. Its dramatic mountains, valleys and dunes are world renowned for their complex and diverse geology. The park also contains a wealth of well-preserved archaeological sites and petroglyphs.
Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin is a truly superlative location. At 282 feet below sea level, it is both the lowest and driest point in North America, and its record-setting temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit makes it the hottest place on Earth. The massive salt flat covers nearly 200 square miles of Death Valley National Park, and lies more than two miles below the 11,331-foot Telescope Peak that looms above it.
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Blog Post
An Odd Villa Built from an Even Odder Friendship
One of the quirkier historic structures in the park system is a luxurious unfinished mansion named after a Wild West con man. Last week, the National Park Service released hundreds…
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Blog Post
This Land Is Their Land
Honor Indigenous history at these 15 sites where visitors can learn about the extensive connections tribes have with today’s national parks.
My Park Story
Greetings from Death Valley National Park
Just takes your breath away! Day one - Flowers everywhere you look! Day two - 200 plus feet BELOW sea level! Day three - Unbelievable views of the salt crusted valley below from Dante's peak. Day four - Ubehebe Crater to Mesquite Flat Dunes to smooth cool rock walls in…
More about Death Valley
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Blog Post Spooky, Beautiful Photos of Abandoned Park Towns National parks preserve landscapes with centuries of history. Sometimes beauty is in the remnants of what is no longer there.
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Read more about A Speedy Comeback?
Magazine Article A Speedy Comeback? Pronghorn have made their triumphant return to Death Valley. Now the question is: How far will they go?
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Read more about An Auspicious Return
Blog Post An Auspicious Return Have pronghorn reclaimed Death Valley?
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Read more about Celebrate Dark Skies at These 27 National Parks
Blog Post Celebrate Dark Skies at These 27 National Parks Lay out a blanket after the sun goes down and see a clearer view of the universe at these designated dark-sky parks.
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Read more about 10 California Landmarks Worth Celebrating
Blog Post 10 California Landmarks Worth Celebrating On the 25th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act, we share a selection of the many extraordinary places that advocates have saved through years of dedication.
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Read more about The Garage Door Opener That Almost Thwarted Joshua Tree National Park
Blog Post The Garage Door Opener That Almost Thwarted Joshua Tree National Park In 1994, the California Desert Protection Act designated millions of acres as national park and wilderness lands — but one faulty garage door opener nearly derailed the entire process.
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Read more about 8 Easy Adventures for Hikers of All Fitness Levels
Blog Post 8 Easy Adventures for Hikers of All Fitness Levels New independent film features a series of low-effort, high-reward hikes for finding joy in the outdoors.
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Read more about Park Staff Ordered to Violate Laws and Stand Aside as People Trashed Parks During Shutdown
Blog Post Park Staff Ordered to Violate Laws and Stand Aside as People Trashed Parks During Shutdown Rangers describe the despair of watching national parks sustain preventable long-term damage, as well as the terrible effects the historic standoff has had on morale.
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Read more about 10 (Truly) Hidden National Park Gems
Blog Post 10 (Truly) Hidden National Park Gems Many of the national parks’ wonders are out in plain sight, but some are nearly impossible to see. Here are 10 of those frustratingly out-of-reach attractions as well as easier-to-get-to alternatives.
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Read more about Death Valley Angst
Magazine Article Death Valley Angst On a desert hike, a father and his teenage daughter contemplate canyons, cliffs and the heartache that comes with growing up.
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Read more about What Moves Us
Video What Moves Us Why are we drawn to our national parks? What inspires us to explore them—and to return to our favorites again and again? This video reminds us all why we yearn for the paths through our most cherished places... and can't help but to put one foot in front of the other.
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Read more about Comments on Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
Letter Comments on Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Comments on Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
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Read more about Protecting and Connecting Our Nation's Treasured Park Landscapes
Fact Sheet Protecting and Connecting Our Nation's Treasured Park Landscapes National parks are key to protecting and connecting our most revered places.
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Read more about Solar Energy, National Parks, and Landscape Protection in the Desert Southwest
Report Solar Energy, National Parks, and Landscape Protection in the Desert Southwest Solar energy is one of our country’s most promising industries for reducing America’s current reliance on coal-fired power plants that contribute to unhealthy air quality in communities across the country, as well as our national parks.
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Read more about Center for State of the Parks: California Desert
Report Center for State of the Parks: California Desert This report outlines the results of a rigorous examination of natural and cultural resources in Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Mojave National Preserve.
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