Death Valley National Park Visitor Guide Englisch

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Visitor Guide Death Valley National Park Winter/Spring 2017

Mosaic Canyon reveals smoothly carved marble walls. (NPS - Dan Kish) What’s Inside? Happy Birthday National Park Service! During 2016, the entire country has been commemorating the Centennial of the National Park Service, which was established in 1916 to protect America’s Support Your Park ...... 2 national treasures unimpaired for future generations to enjoy. Here in Death Valley, 2016 was one Safety...... 3 for the record books. Devastating flash floods, the famous #Superbloom, as well as record-shattering visitation have put Death Valley in the spotlight and piqued the interest of travelers worldwide. Sightseeing...... 4 As the mild weather rolls in, hikers, campers, birders, and explorers from around the world are Hiking...... 5 returning to this winter paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned “desert rat” or a first timer drawn here by the stories, scenery, or the mystery, we welcome you to ...... Map...... 6 & 7 Floods to Flowers...... 8 & 9 Programs & Events...... 10 Nightlife...... 11 Visitor Services...... 12

www.nps.gov/deva 1 Support Your Park

Obey the speed limits and other rules of the road. Do Pets are permitted on roads and developed areas, but not stop in traffic lanes, instead pull over and park prohibited in wilderness, on trails, and in buildings. safely off of the road. Keep your car on established Hundreds of miles of dirt roads are great places for roads. Unsightly tire tracks scar the fragile desert walking pets. Keep pets on leash no longer than 6 feet landscape for decades. in length. Owners are responsible for cleanup.

Camp only in established campgrounds or in a per- It is illegal to discharge a firearm anywhere in Death mitted backcountry area. Check at a ranger station or Valley or to bring one into a federal building. Hunting visitor center for backcountry camping information. is illegal within the park.

Stay out of closed areas. Mines, service roads, and Campfires are allowed in established firepits only. other areas are closed for your safety or the protection Wood is scarce here, gathering firewood is prohibited. of features therein.

Let wild animals find their own food. They’re good at Put garbage where it belongs. Litter in the desert spoils it and feeding them is against the law. the landscape for each person that follows behind you.

Rocks, plants, animals, and historic objects in Death Please recycle plastics #’s 1 and 2, glass, and card- Valley are protected just like in a museum. Vandalism board in the provided receptacles. Propane cylinder and theft are prohibited. recycle bins are located in most campgrounds where you can leave both empty and full canisters.

The use of drones is prohibited.

Badwater (Dan Mottaz) Entrance Fees Leave No Trace

Please support your park by paying the park entrance fee at a park visitor With over a million people visiting Death Valley each year, every little center or at one of the automated fee machines placed throughout the action is multiplied. If each visitor does a seemingly harmless thing like park. Already have one of the passes listed below? Enjoy your park! stacking stones, scratching their name in the mud, picking a wildflower, collecting a rock, or feeding a coyote, the cumulative effect can be devas- 7-day Passes Annual Passes tating. Please help protect America’s national parks by leaving everything Vehicle and passengers...... $25 Death Valley Annual Pass...... $50 in its place. Other park visitors and future generations will thank you. Motorcyles...... $20 Interagency Annual Pass...... $80 Individual entering on Interagency Military Pass...... free bicycle or foot...... $12 (for active duty and dependents) Lifetime Passes Other passes honored Interagency Senior Pass...... $10 4th Grade (Every Kid in a Park), (for U.S. citizens 62+) Volunteer, Golden Age, and Interagency Access Pass...... free Golden Access Passes. (for U.S. citizens with disability)

You may have noticed that Death Valley and many other national parks have recently raised entrance and camping fees. The increased revenue will help address a large maintenance backlog and allow the National Ephemeral Vandalism Here today, gone...in a decade Park Service to continue the mission of environmental stewardship and Cairns are stacks of rocks often Names scraped into the dried mud conservation. used to mark hiking routes in on this little playa near Ubehebe Recent projects funded by fee revenue include upgrades at Zabriskie the desert, but in the narrows of Crater will eventually dissolve Point, Badwater, Stovepipe Wells and Father Crowley Point, Golden Canyon, cairns are not when rainstorms flood the surface, campground improvements, park brochures, ranger-led programs, and necessary to find your way. These but it may take years before that special events. In the next few years, park fees will help fund emergency visitor-built cairns were assembled happens. This is vandalism even if services, campground custodial work, and educational programs. one at a time over a single week, by it isn’t permanent. However most of the funds will go toward restoring Scotty’s Castle from dozens of visitors. Most likely, they damage caused by a massive flash flood in October 2015. were built as monuments to their visit…and because someone else The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act enables national had already built one. parks not only to charge fees, but to retain eighty cents of every dollar collected. The remaining 20 percent goes into a general fund to support larger agency projects as wells as parks that do not collect fees. All Wildlife Sightings fee revenue must go toward projects, activities and infrastructure that increase visitor use and enjoyment. Death Valley has been granted Around the world, visitors to remote locations are providing important data special approval to keep 100% of the fee revenue collected for the to researchers by their observations. Your personal observations of wildlife upcoming year to assist with repairs to Scotty’s Castle. Thank you for can be very valuable. Death Valley National Park is compiling a database to your visit and your continued support for your national parks! allow us to develop distribution maps of wildlife throughout the park. Did you know? Two species of special interest are the Bob Eichbaum started the first resort in Death Valley at Stovepipe Wells. Nelson’s bighorn sheep and desert His toll road was completed in 1926, seven years before the designation tortoise, but other wildlife species of Death Valley National Monument. Toll rates were $2 for each observations are also welcome. Please auto or motorcycle; 50¢ for each occupant of a truck, trailer, wagon, be as accurate as possible and include auto, or motorcycle, plus $1 per head for each animal. Today’s rates your contact information. Photos with inflation would be $27 for each auto or motorcycle; $7 for each provide great information and are occupant of a truck, trailer, wagon, auto, or motorcycle, plus $14 per always appreciated. Please fill out a wildlife head for each animal. sighting form available at the visitor center.

www.nps.gov/deva 2 Safety

In Case of Emergency Dial 911: Cell Prepare for Breakdowns: In case of ve- phones will not work in most parts of the hicle trouble, stay with your vehicle. You’ll park, so don’t depend on them. have shade and be easier to find. If you’re headed onto dirt roads, plan on changing Plan Ahead: Know road and weather a flat tire at least once. Beware that most conditions. Take a good map everywhere rental agreements do not cover unpaved you go. When traveling off paved roads roads, resulting in hefty towing fees. Rent- or into the backcountry, call someone at als cars often lack the proper tire changing home and tell them specifically where tools, so it’s worth checking before ventur- you are going. Have them call dispatch at ing into remote areas. 1-888-233-6518 if you do not return when expected. Free backcountry permits are Flash Floods: Rain is scarce here, but available, but not required at the visitor when it comes, it often leads to danger- center. We can find you faster if we know ous flash floods. During rain, avoid hiking where to look and what we’re looking for. in canyons and be prepared to move to higher ground. While driving, be alert for Evaluate Your Gear: Do you have the water running across roadways. Stop and appropriate vehicle, tires, tools, maps, and look before attempting to cross. Flood skills for your route? Bring food, water waters damage the roadway and carry and other essentials for several days, even if rocks and debris just below the clouded you’re planning a much shorter visit. Carry surface. Flash floods generally subside in a at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per few hours. When in doubt, wait it out! person per day, and carry extra water in your car. Your vehicle or fellow travelers Heat & Dehydration: If you feel dizzy, may need it even if you don’t. nauseous or get a headache, get out of the sun and to a cool place immediately. Rangers rescue offtrail hiker near Golden Canyon (NPS - Dan Kish) Technology: Smartphones and GPS Drink plenty of water, and dampen cloth- Average Temps Maximum Minimum devices are great tools to have, but they ing to lower your body temperature. January 67° F (19° C) 40° F (4° C) can be deadly to rely upon. Vehicle GPS devices frequently tell visitors to turn off Wildlife: Many visitors may be worried 73° F (23° C) 46° F (8° C) February well traveled roads, and take “shortcuts” about large animals such as mountain March 82° F (27° C) 55° F (13° C) onto unmaintained or even closed roads. lions, and although they may secretly roam April 90° F (32° C) 62° F (17° C) Hiking apps for tablets and smartphones the shadows, they avoid humans and are May 100° F (38° C) 73° F (23° C) work fairly well, but the battery life may rarely seen. A more realistic danger is be drained quickly even in airplane mode. placing your hands or feet where you can’t June 110° F (43° C) 81° F (27° C) Use maps, a compass, and common sense see. Snakes, scorpions, spiders, or other July 116° F (47° C) 88° F (31° C) as your primary navigational tools, and use wildlife may be sheltered there. Some spe- August 115° F (46° C) 86° F (30° C) the technology as a backup. cies may be venomous, but the relatively September 106° F (41° C) 76° F (24° C) safe tarantula gets a bad rap, and is actually Mine Hazards: Do not enter mine tun- a delight to see. October 93° F (34° C) 61° F (16° C) nels or shafts. They may be unstable, have November 77° F (25° C) 48° F (9° C) hidden shafts, pockets of poisonous gases, December 65° F (18° C) 38° F (3° C) or be home to wildlife. Stay Out Stay Alive! Tarantula (Bob Grate) Hottest, Driest, Lowest & WILDEST!

If Death Valley National Park had a slogan it would be “hottest, Given these limitations on wilderness use, it is important to note driest, lowest”. Many people are familiar with these superlatives that it’s not off limits to people. One of the criteria for designated that refer to the park’s extreme temperatures, low rainfall, high wilderness is that the area must have outstanding opportunities evaporation rate, and the salt flats of Badwater Basin which lie 282 for solitude and primitive unconfined recreation. These lands are feet below sea level. It’s past time to add another superlative to the yours to hike, climb, backpack, horseback ride, camp, list, wildest, because Death Valley contains the largest designated take in the views, photograph, experience what wilderness in the United States outside of Alaska. it’s like to be alone, hear deafening silence, and see the glitter of the night sky. Thanks to pro- What is designated wilderness? While many areas are wild and tection from development, these lands will be remote, it literally takes an act of Congress to make those areas here so that you and generations to come can designated wilderness. For example, in 1994 Congress passed enjoy the benefits they provide, not only to and President Bill Clinton signed the California Desert Protection the natural world, but to our personal well Act which expanded the size of Death Valley, converted it from a being. Know your limits, travel safely, national monument to a national park, and established 3.1 million and tread lightly. acres, or 92% of the park as designated wilderness. The author- ity for Congress to do so comes from the 1964 Wilderness Act. During this time American citizens were becoming aware that the - Ranger Leah Hurley country was developing at an unprecedented pace due to expanded settlement and growing mechanization. The people wanted a way to protect some of our national treasures and unique land- scapes from ever being inhabited and built upon. Thus the Wil- derness Act was born.

Wilderness is the highest level of conservation protection af- forded to public lands. It prohibits the use of mechanical devices including bicycles to wheel barrows, for without mechanization it is hard to develop much at all. It also forbids commercial enter- prises, permanent roads (many of Death Valley’s roads are sur- rounded by wilderness as specified in the California Desert Pro- tection Act), structures, and installations from being established within wilderness boundaries, all with the overarching goal of leaving some places natural and undeveloped.

Photos: TomTrujillo/Scott J Landstad www.nps.gov/deva 3 Sightseeing

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Adriann Van’t Riet) Few Hours / Half Day Full Day Must see places for first time visitors. Add these to the list and make it an all day adventure! yy Furnace Creek: Stop by the yy Dante’s View: The most yy Twenty Mule Team Canyon: yy Ubehebe Crater: Hundreds visitor center to learn about the breathtaking viewpoint in the Winding through otherworldly of years ago, a massive volcanic park. See the 20 minute long film park, this mountain-top overlook badlands, this 2.7 mi (4.3 km), explosion caused by magma mixing (8:30 am - 4:00 pm daily), explore is more than 5000 ft (1,500 m) one-way loop drive is unpaved, but with an underground spring, the museum exhibits, and ask above the floor of Death Valley. accessible to vehicles other than shattered the silence of northern about seasonal ranger programs. The paved access road is open to buses, RV’s, and trailers. Great for Death Valley. When the cinders all vehicles less than 25 ft (7.6 m) in bike riding or for hiking with dogs. and dust settled, this 600 ft (183 m) yy Devil’s Golf Course: An im- total length. deep crater remained. mense area of rock salt eroded by yy Salt Creek: This stream of wind and rain into jagged spires. yy Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: salty water is the only home to a yy Wildrose Charcoal Kilns: So incredibly serrated that “only Tawny dunes smoothly rise nearly rare pupfish, Cyprinodon salinus These ten beehive-shaped the devil could play golf on such 100 ft (30 m) from Mesquite Flat. salinus. Spawing season, dur- structures are among the best rough links”. Late afternoon light accentuates ing springtime is best for viewing preserved in the west. Built in 1876 the ripples and patterns, while pupfish. The boardwalk loops ½ mi to provide fuel to process silver/ yy Badwater Basin: The lowest morning is a good time to view (0.8 km) through stands of pickle- lead ore, they still smell of smoke point in North America, Badwater tracks of nocturnal wildlife. weed and past pools reflecting bad- today. The final 2 mi (3.2 km) of Basin is a surreal landscape of vast Moonlight walks can be magical. land hills. ADA accessible. Please gravel road to the kilns are passable salt flats. A temporary lake may stay on the boardwalk. to most vehicles. form here after heavy rainstorms. yy Harmony Borax Works: Do not walk on the salt flats in hot Follow an easy 1/4 mi (0.4 km) yy Father Crowley Vista: weather. Wheelchair accessible. walking trail to learn about A landscape of dark lava this important site in Death flows and volcanic cinders yy Artist’s Drive: Scenic loop Valley’s history. The operation abruptly gives way to the drive through vibrantly colored became famous through the gash of Rainbow Canyon hills will be closed from Nov-14 use of 20 Mule Teams. When below this viewpoint. through late March for much you’re done, take the scenic Walk the dirt track east of needed improvements. Crews re- gravel exit drive through the parking lot for a grand moved over 8,000 pounds of flood Mustard Canyon back out to overlook of the northern debris from the roadway, however Highway 190. Panamint Valley. ADA pavement and shoulder repairs are accessible. now necessary for visitor safety. Desert Bighorn Sheep (NPS - Stacy Holt) Remote Backcountry Drives Not suitable for a normal car, 4x4 and high clearance may be required. Ask rangers about road conditions and safety precautions.

yy Eureka Dunes: At nearly 700 yy Aguereberry Point: This ft (213 m), these are the highest spectacular viewpoint gives a dunes in California. Isolated perspective over Death Valley from other dunes, they are an from the west from 6433 ft (1961 evolutionary island home to rare m) above sea level. Along the and endangered species. The gravel road are the remains of dunes are off limits to vehicles, Pete Aguereberry’s camp and his sandboarding, and horseback Eureka Mine. The last climb to the riding. The rough drive requires a point requires a high-clearance high clearance vehicle and will take vehicle. From pavement to view 2.5 hours from pavement off of point the 6 mi (10 km) drive is 30 Scotty’s Castle Road. minutes each way.

Racetrack Playa (Jeffrey Aiello) yy The Racetrack: Rocks yy Titus Canyon: The largest and mysteriously slide across the dry most diverse canyon in the park. lakebed of the Racetrack, leaving Within its towering walls, visitors behind long tracks for visitors to can find volcanic deposits, a ghost ponder. A high-clearance vehicle town, petroglyphs, bighorn sheep, with heavy-duty tires is needed to and deep, winding narrows. Titus traverse the 27 mi (43 km)of rough Canyon is accessible to high- dirt road; ask a ranger for current clearance vehicles via a 26 mi (42 road conditions. Once you leave km), one-way dirt road beginning pavement at Ubehebe Crater the outside the park. The trip takes 3 drive takes 2-1/2 hours each way. hours from pavement to pavement. Titus Canyon www.nps.gov/deva 4 Hiking yyBefore starting a hike ask about the current road and weather yyConstructed trails are rare in this park. Trails are provided in places conditions. that are heavily used and sensitive to damage. If a trail is there, please use it. Most hiking routes in the park are cross-country, up canyons, or yyAlways carry water. Two liters per person for a short winter day hike, along ridges. Footing can be rough and rocky. and four liters or more in the summer or for longer hikes. yyHiking in low elevations can be dangerous when it is hot. The high yyDogs and bicycles are not allowed on trails or off roads, but hundreds peaks can be covered with snow in winter and spring. The best time to of miles of dirt roads offer unforgetable adventures. hike in the park is October to April.

Easy Hikes Round Trip Elevation Gain Description 0.4 mi 50 ft ADA accessible loop around historic mining site where the famous 20-Mule Team Harmony Borax Works (0.6 km) (15 m) wagons began their grueling 165 mile journey south to the Mojave railroad depot.

0.5 mi ADA accessible loop. Wooden boardwalk through salt marsh and rare pupfish habitat. Salt Creek Interpretive Trail flat (0.8 km) Great for birding. Gravel road is typically passable in a sedan.

1 mi ADA Accessible out and back. Scenic walk out to edge of salt flat and the lowest point Badwater Salt Flat flat (1.6 km) in North America. Explore the flats on a cool day to search for salt formations.

Natural Bridge 1 mi 86 ft Out and back hike up dramatic canyon to natural bridge formation. Gravel access road (1.6 km) (26 m) is typically passable in a sedan.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes 2 mi 185 ft Hike through the largest dune field in the park to summit the high dune in the dis- (3.2 km) (65 m) tance. Go during sunrise, sunset, or full moon lighting for unforgetable experiences. Moderate Hikes 1.5 mi 500 ft Loop hike around the rim of a 600 ft (183 m) deep maar volcano. Head around the Ubehebe Crater (2.4 km) (152 m) loop counterclockwise to see Little Ubehebe Crater too.

Out and back canyon hike to desert waterfall. Minor rock scrambling required. No 2 mi 450 ft Darwin Falls swimming. Unmarked gravel access road just west of Panamint Springs may require a (3.2 km) (137 m) high clearance vehicle to make the 2.4 mile (3.8 km) trip to the parking area.

2.7 mi 535 ft Loop hike starting at Zabriskie Point winds through a labrynth of golden colored bad- Badlands Loop (4.3 km) (163 m) lands. Add Golden Canyon or Gower Gulch for a longer hike.

3 mi 577 ft Out and back. The most popular hike in the park. Narrow passageway beneath high Golden Canyon - Red Cathedral (4.8 km) (176 m) colorful hills ends at sculpted canyon headwall. Some easy rock scrambling required.

Out and back hike through canyon narrows made of colorful badlands formations 3.6 mi 600 ft similar to those found at Artist’s Palette. Some rock scrambling required. No signs, Desolation Canyon (5.8 km) (183 m) follow the canyon. The unsigned gravel access road 4 miles south of CA 190 on Badwater Road is typically passable in a sedan.

4 mi 1,200 ft Out and back hike within polished marble narrows filled with uniquely color patterns. Mosaic Canyon (6.4 km) (366 m) Use caution on the slick rock surfaces. The gravel road is typically passable in a sedan.

Out and back cross country hike into deep and narrow canyon to seasonal waterfall. 4.2 mi 776 ft Willow Canyon The short unmarked, gravel access road is typically passable in a sedan, and is located (6.8 km) (237 m) 31.5 miles south of CA 190 on Badwater Road. No trail signage.

4.3 mi 850 ft Loop hike from Golden Canyon to Gower Gulch. Add a side trip to Red Cathredral or Gower Gulch Loop (6.9 km) (259 m) Zabriskie Point to do a longer hike.

Out and back into dark slot canyons hidden within a labyrinth of drainages. 5 mi 1,580 ft Scrambling up and down dryfalls required. No signs, some navigation required. The Sidewinder Canyon (8.4 km) (482 m) short but unmarked gravel access road located 31.5 miles south down Badwater Road from CA 190 is typically passable in a sedan. Out and back. This deep canyon with towering walls is a great place to look for 6 mi 2,460 ft bighorn sheep. From the exit of Titus Canyon, hike north on the informal trail near Fall Canyon (9.6 km) (752 m) restroom for 1 mile (1.6 km) before dropping into the wash at the canyon mouth. The gravel access road (Titus Canyon two-way section) is typically passable in a sedan.

8 mi 1,200 ft This out and back informal path from Dante’s View heads north along the ridge to- Dante’s Ridge (13km) (366 m) ward Mt. Perry. Unobstructed views begin immediately and only get better. No signs. Difficult Hikes Out and back crosscountry hike north up Panamint Valley from Lake Hill Road. The 7 mi 1,028 ft Panamint Dunes pristine dunes are visible in the distance from the bend in the road, but there is no (11.3 km) (313 m) signage. The gravel road is not marked and requires a high clearance vehicle.

7 mi 1,900 ft Out and back crosscountry hike into a colorful canyon with unique geologic forma- Little Bridge Canyon (11.2 km) (590 m) tions. Start from mile marker 89 on CA 190 (eastbound). No signs. Park off highway.

8 mi 3,300 ft Out and back cross country adventure to rugged peak. Park off the road near Corkscrew Peak (12.9 km) (1,005 m) Corkscrew Peak highway sign on the Daylight Pass Road. No signage.

8.4 mi 2,200 ft Out and back trail through pinyon-juniper woodlands to 9,064 ft (2,763 m) peak. The Wildrose Peak (13.5 km) (671 m) final two miles of access road is gravel, but typically passable in a sedan.

Out and back hike to 11,049 ft (3,368 m) - the highest peak in Death Valley. The trail 14 mi 3,000 ft Telescope Peak starts in the pinyon and juniper woodlands at Mahogany Flat Campground. The final (22.5 km) (914 m) 5 miles (8 km) of the access road is gravel and may require high clearance. Backpacking Out and back crosscountry trip up the large alluvial fan to a remote deep canyon in the 8 mi 3,000 ft Funeral Mountains. Seasonal water source 4 miles (6.4 km)in. Park safely off the road Indian Pass (12.9 km) (914 m) at mile marker 104 on CA 190. No signage. Get a free voluntary backcountry permit to seasonal spring from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Out and back to a remote ghost town with multiple water sources along the route. 10 mi 3,700 ft Start outside the park at the end of Surprise Canyon Road. The gravel access road may Surprise Canyon - Panamint City (16 km) (1,128 m) require a high clearance vehicle. Some scrambling required. No signage. Get a free voluntary backcountry permit from Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

26 mi Loop hike for experienced crosscountry hikers only. Ask rangers about water sources 3,882 ft and road conditions. Road conditions may require a longer hike. No signage. From Cottonwood & Marble Canyons (42 km) from Cottonwood- (1,183 m) Stovepipe Wells the 10 mile Cottonwood/Marble Road may require 4x4 to the junc- Marble Junction tion. Get a free voluntary backcountry permit from Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Mark Comon) www.nps.gov/deva 5 To

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I r F SEE DETAIL MAP ABOVE t L Vehicle & passengers...... $25Vehicle Motorcycle...... $20 Individual on bicycle / foot ...... $12 Annual Pass Annual PassDeath Valley ...... $50 Interagency Annual Pass...... $80 Interagency Military Pass...... $free (for active duty military & dependents)

Single Visit Pass s 11mi 17km

Entrance Fees Stovepipe Wells Pay the park entrance fee at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Ranger Station, or at one of the fee machines placed throughout park. We

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TUCKI MOUNTAIN

Stovepipe Well

d C T 267 N

a Wildrose Peak A G

Grapevine Peak 8738ft 2663m A

O o

N O

R C C

Y N

Skidoo (townsite) Day use only

Y 7196ft

N O 2193m 95

A N

L Y 21mi

L 26mi 42km C

34km

n E A N

To Tonopah and Reno F

T o C S

L A

A y Manly Peak Mosaic

L O

L C A

Canyon n T

F T R

Wildrose

Two-way trafﬁc to mouth of Titus Canyon. P

E A C N

W E R

I L

N U

L H S

Straw Peak Road conditions require experienced four-wheel drivers. t

E E 8mi n A

E a R I r

R g E

i N NEVADA 13km

m L

N N E E P

O S 33mi 53km B I Vehicles longer than 25 feet (7.7 meters) not allowed. ANYON E

R C O N G E R

CALIFORNIA V E K A Emigrant W D R

T A CHINA LAKE

Lida Junction T

I H L

266 E Y I Ballarat (ghost town)

A E J W E P

SQ T G

Y A E A E D

E M L

R R

G G

N h

A s A Y

O a

S V W

flood damage damage flood flood

K Pinto Peak E

due to flash flash flash to to due due

N C

y O

Road CLOSED CLOSED Road

e CLOSED Road G A

l Y

I l

I L NAVAL AIR WEAPONS STATION

J a

O N

T N

A L

R h

t E C

M Gold Mountain a D

N E

e O

O D

L A Y

O W

Mount Dunfee E L

N L

Y A

O V

4956ft 1511m S

T 18mi

A 29km L

I E C L

L N S

D R Towne Pass

O A

Y M T

914m due to Flash Flood Damage Flood Flash to due due to Flash Flood Damage Flood Flash to due N 31mi 50km

3000ft

Gold Point A N

C and Road Closed to all trafﬁc all to Closed Road and

and Road Closed to all trafﬁc all to Closed Road and d I 15mi 24km

a E Scotty’s Castle Scotty’s Scotty’s Castle Scotty’s Ro

Panamint Butte

N T M

O ey

B l

N l

SEARLES LAKE

Y I V A R

G t N 190

R M

6411ft n

1954m Deep sand

O i A G m

A a P Trona n

E a

N P

R N S

O N I

H A

T T Mount Jackson G

I White Top Mountain N B U D M O Grapevine A O O A W 619m

N 2030ft

Ubehebe Crater at L l O F Lake Hill P Panamint Dunes T Sand

Tin Mountain 8953ft 2729m T

S O

Mesquite Spring C

45mi 72km d

a In winter carry chains. Road may be closed.

Ro 25mi 40km

e a

o Y

n LE N

R L

i A

Lida

20mi 32km V

P k

E O

c D a

r ID

t H e Y

c a

ig R B N

E To L A

Panamint Springs TU N C Death YO Valley S CAN Store Wheelchair-accessible Telephone Airstrip Gas station Food service Lodging Flat N Junction

I Ulida A

T Magruder Mountain 9046ft 2757m Teakettle Junction N W duty tires.

U O

South Pass Falls

Sharp rock; B

O To N

M Y I Darwin

K VALLE A O requires heavy- RACETRAC R T E The G The Grandstand 7454ft T N 2272m

k Hunter E ee R A

r Racetrack M C E L C Mountain Furnace N Artists Drive A A 178 Texas

P 8960ft and Badwater Creek Inn 2731m H

S Spring C Dry Mountain 8674ft 2644m LL 7mi HI d T Cottonwoo S 11km A ARWIN Vista Point D N L T 5678ft YO 1731m LA N Crankshaft Junction F

CA Father Crowley h 190

Steel Pass a

Palmetto Mountain E C

Darwin In winter carry chains. Road may be closed. W Ubehebe Peak

N Sunset Deep sand A Shoshone Timbisha trust lands Area below sea level Salt ﬂat H C E E

T L

N A

Ranger station Sanitary disposal station Picnic area Campground

o O L

To Stovepipe Wells t Y

t E 33mi 53km

e N G m A

l Road conditions N a C O A RIDGECREST P Y R four-wheel drivers.

N K A require experienced 266 C Dunes T O C Eureka N O LA G

8456ft R O F

2577m

N S L k

U G L A e I Mountain

N E N e

M I E r G N

Last Chance Y N N O G E C A Y T

E R 0.5 Mile

C N

N Creek L E E Borax Museum

U A L L C Timbisha Shoshone Village (private)

C H A L ER Furnace d V W a A LO 13mi 21km o V To San R E 0.5 Kilometer BR N Furnace Creek Ranch 395 SYLVANIA MOUNTAINS I Cerro Gordo Peak 9184ft 2799m Paved road Unpaved road High clearance recommended Hiking trail e L Four-wheel-drive road

n A

i A Bernardino S

w K o

l 395

l E

i R W g Visitor Center i U Furnace Creek 0 0 B E Furnace Creek Saline Valley Dunes

E including bicycles, must stay on roads. Vehicles, Y LE I N AL L

V A

E S

A N S

L O

H Y S N FI

A N 178

C T LA S F ts I 190 TU Fla CAC s Keeler 18mi 29km Chocolate Mountain 7703ft 2348m s ka

Jac E L A 14 To

B EY R L

Dyer AL k 15mi 24km V A

E 42mi 68km e S

T RO To Los Angeles

M e r Y A

C E

South Haiwee Reservoir D

N L (dry) A

L y In winter carry chains. Road may be closed.

e V

l l

n 136 E r

h V

395

North Haiwee Reservoir

w U N N

168 C

s OWENS LAKE

t O

Y Mount Inyo 11107ft 3385m

E O

u UCT N L

d k h D

L A s E

o o e A U A J V Q o e A R C

r M ES

w Waucoba Mountain 11123ft 3390m EL G R

C LOS AN

n S

o G

E N t I

t n R

Deep Springs Lake I o P 178 S a

C O S Owens Peak N m

P A

y E

E Y M D 21mi 40km W S E

INYO N N E

A R E

G L E

E U

FOREST E

D T U I 395 C F S

O O W L NATIONAL Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center To Manzanar National Historic Site To Lake Isabella To Big Pine Lone Pine To Big Pine

www.nps.gov/deva 6 To

T N

r To

I e

A iv

A R L

T Las Vegas

F sa

o Baker

arg N

Las Vegas m

A Tecopa and

S 24mi 39km

Devils Hole 28mi 45km

REFUGE

O L

S Death Valley

WILDLIFE To Pahrump National Park

L S NATIONAL

M I

and Las Vegas To Pahrump

A 178

H Shoshone

127 E K

ASH MEADOWS

and Las Vegas

C N

O Ibex Pass

A O

C J

I d H

L a S

A Refuge

O C

H Eagle Mountain 3806ft 1160m

Ro 6mi 9km

S e 10 Miles

Ibex Dunes in

Headquarters L

Brown Peak 4947ft 1508m

ate ate

t 4mi 6km Lathrop Wells S E Amargosa Opera House Death Valley Junction Amargosa Valley G 23mi 37km N Busted Butte

373 A 127 10 Kilometers R Deadman Pass 3263ft 994m

N Spring I 3315ft

A 1010m O U N T A M Saratoga C R S 25mi 41km C N Y r

E Salsberry Pass U 190 I e Y T E A iv R T A L T

L W N

R A sa N U go 1 Watch for ﬂooding ar E V m 1 O A E 18mi 29km E

Black Cone 20mi 32km E R d E Jubilee Pass 1290ft 390m a T o

Big Dune A

W R 3040ft 927m

D N Y

E E e

L K d E L a

Nort h R A C W

Pyramid Peak 6703ft 2043m G V er

Jubilee y iv A r R r

Funeral Peak 6384ft 1945m a Mountain 29mi 46km L H S S N A L I B IL A H T sa E o S Schwaub Peak C N g N N ar E U AI D m I NT A F OU D N O 95 O M S L O

O C

Vehicles longer than 25 feet (7.7 meters) not allowed.

13mi 21km G

N Owl Lake

Y E

3mi 5km

E G

L Trailer L I

(ruins)

A E parking

V N

5912ft R 1802m

R O

A Cofﬁn Peak 5503ft 1677m

Information

B Y

I T

S N Ashford Mill

(valid up to 7 days)

A A

Hole in the Wall

O A

N C h N s

O a

C W Smith Mountain U E View

5475ft Beatty 1669m

M Winters Peak 5033ft 1534m d

O 27mi 43km k Dantes

A a Indian Pass e

e Mormon Point r o 10mi 16km

M ate Shoreline Butte C Natural Bridge Badw r

A R D

Twenty Mule Team Canyon

L Vehicles longer than 25 feet (7.7 meters) not allowed. R

c y Nov 14 - late March A A A a a rive

n w D r E e for ﬂood damage repairs R Nevares Peak d Fu on y a

a Artists Drive Closed Artists Palette o

E Zabriskie Point w R

Mine e H

35mi 56km N o Badwater S

t e h

Rhyolite (ghost town)

s s L i d a

U S i Lost Lake L t

374 S W

Single Visit Pass s 11mi 17km

Entrance Fees Stovepipe Wells Pay the park entrance fee at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Ranger Station, or at one of the fee machines placed throughout park. We

A H

Devils NELLIS AIR FORCE BOMBING AND GUNNERY RANGE

below sea level Badwater Basin

Y e

t O d Lowest elevation in

a Golf Course

6mi

Eagle Borax Works (ruins) g

o 9km O

40mi n

R Chloride Cliff

E i 64km

Y one way one North America, 282ft (86m)

19km 12mi s

W N s

a L A

P C

S t

L N

h N FORT IRWIN MILITARY RESERVATION

A N

g N I

i O N l Keane Wonder Mill and Mine (Area temporarily closed because of safety hazards)

Golden Canyon Y

19mi 30km

O y A Y E

a CANYON N L

N Y

D T N

MUSTARD

A A 190 N

G V A

O C Daylight Pass 4316ft 1316m G N

A N G Y

C U O

Sugarloaf Peak

N O

Y O

A G

R Y

f Interpretive Trail N

f C

Cuto E N F

y I A M tt L

a C

L e L

T 10mi B

16km k

P L

L e N

H e A

A Cr S I

A Harmony Borax Works O

U V

S A L R P Hells Gate

B M

U F N U

A H

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail Q

A H N

N O

G T

J A W

S O

7mi N A 7mi H

Y I E

Corkscrew Peak U R

N 11km

11km N

O P

T Y A S

N C A

Y Furnace Creek

C A

A Buttes

B E A

H Information

M L

T Information t

l L

O I

Red Pass O

a A V

N Brown Mountain 5125ft 1562m

Stonewall Mountain 8875ft 2705m C N

A S

Needle Peak T A

R I T

Death Valley

Scottys Junction T

A Aguereberry Point Day use only 6433ft 1961m

Leadﬁeld (ghost town) Y

S Kit Fox Hills E 8133ft 2479m

S L

N L Devils Peak

Porter Peak A

N Cornﬁeld

Y T

N Wingate Pass T

U O

Thimble B

I Mahogany Flat Thorndike N

Y M

Charcoal Kilns A N

C A

9mi

Mengel Pass N Sentinel Peak 9636ft 2937m

14km Y C

Y T

A E

Telescope Peak 11049ft 3368m C

N Panamint City (ghost town) N N

I Road conditions require experienced four-wheel drivers. 16mi 26km Wahguyhe Peak

H P E U ad Historic 9064ft

o 2763m

O R

O N Peak

e 6732ft 2052m l Eureka Mine

t R

s Stovepipe Wells Village

N a Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Y S C G O M E Striped Butte

y’s Flats

O t Mount Palmer 7979ft 2432m t N

L U Bennett o Sand

c Y

S Emigrant Pass 5318ft 1621m

Dunes

T A

I N O

Rogers Peak

Harrisburg

N N

TUCKI MOUNTAIN

Stovepipe Well

d C T 267 N

a Wildrose Peak A G

Grapevine Peak 8738ft 2663m A

O o

N O

R C C

Y N

Skidoo (townsite) Day use only

Y 7196ft

N O 2193m 95

A N

L Y 21mi

L 26mi 42km C

34km

n E A N

To Tonopah and Reno F

T o C S

L A

A y Manly Peak Mosaic

L O

L C A

Canyon n T

F T R

Wildrose

Two-way trafﬁc to mouth of Titus Canyon. P

E A C N

W E R

I L

N U

L H S

Straw Peak Road conditions require experienced four-wheel drivers. t

E E 8mi n A

E a R I r

R g E

i N NEVADA 13km

m L

N N E E P

O S 33mi 53km B I Vehicles longer than 25 feet (7.7 meters) not allowed. ANYON E

R C O N G E R

CALIFORNIA V E K A Emigrant W D R

T A CHINA LAKE

Lida Junction T

I H L

266 E Y I Ballarat (ghost town)

A E J W E P

SQ T G

Y A E A E D

E M L

R R

G G

N h

A s A Y

O a

S V W

flood damage damage flood flood

K Pinto Peak E

due to flash flash flash to to due due

N C

y O

Road CLOSED CLOSED Road

e CLOSED Road G A l Y

I l

I L NAVAL AIR WEAPONS STATION

J a

O N

T N

A L

R h

t E C

M Gold Mountain a D

N E e O

O D

L A Y

O W

Mount Dunfee E L

N L

Y A

O V

4956ft 1511m S

T 18mi

A 29km L

I E C L

L N S

D R Towne Pass

O A

Y M T

914m due to Flash Flood Damage Flood Flash to due due to Flash Flood Damage Flood Flash to due N 31mi 50km

3000ft

Gold Point A N

C and Road Closed to all trafﬁc all to Closed Road and

and Road Closed to all trafﬁc all to Closed Road and d I 15mi 24km

a E Scotty’s Castle Scotty’s Scotty’s Castle Scotty’s Ro

Panamint Butte

N T M

O ey

B l

N l

SEARLES LAKE

Y I V A R

G t N 190

R M

6411ft n

1954m Deep sand

O i A G m

A a P Trona n

E a

N P

R N S

O N I

H A

T T Mount Jackson G

I White Top Mountain N B U D M O Grapevine A O O A W 619m

N 2030ft

Ubehebe Crater at L l O F Lake Hill P Panamint Dunes T Sand

Tin Mountain 8953ft 2729m T

S O

Mesquite Spring C

45mi 72km d a In winter carry chains. Road may be closed.

Ro 25mi 40km

e a

o Y

n LE N

R L i A

Lida

20mi 32km V

P k

E O c D a

r ID t H e Y

c a ig R B N

E To L A

Panamint Springs TU N C Death YO Valley S CAN Store Wheelchair-accessible Telephone Airstrip Gas station Food service Lodging Flat N Junction

I Ulida A

T Magruder Mountain 9046ft 2757m Teakettle Junction N W duty tires.

U O

South Pass Falls

Sharp rock; B

O To N

M Y I Darwin

K VALLE A O requires heavy- RACETRAC R T E The G The Grandstand 7454ft T N 2272m k Hunter E ee R A r Racetrack M C E L C Mountain Furnace N Artists Drive A A 178 Texas

P 8960ft and Badwater Creek Inn 2731m H

S Spring C Dry Mountain 8674ft 2644m LL 7mi HI d T Cottonwoo S 11km A ARWIN Vista Point D N L T 5678ft YO 1731m LA N Crankshaft Junction F

CA Father Crowley h 190 s

Steel Pass a

Palmetto Mountain E C

Darwin In winter carry chains. Road may be closed. W Ubehebe Peak

N Sunset Deep sand A Shoshone Timbisha trust lands Area below sea level Salt ﬂat H C E E

T L

N A

Ranger station Sanitary disposal station Picnic area Campground

o O L

To Stovepipe Wells t Y

t E 33mi 53km

e N G m A

l Road conditions N a C O A RIDGECREST P Y R four-wheel drivers.

N K A require experienced 266 C Dunes T O C Eureka N O LA G

8456ft R O F

2577m

N S L k

U G L A e I Mountain

N E N e

M I E r G N

Last Chance Y N N O G E C A Y T

E R 0.5 Mile

C N

N Creek L E E Borax Museum

U A L L C Timbisha Shoshone Village (private)

i A Bernardino S

w K o l 395

l E

i R W g Visitor Center i U Furnace Creek 0 0 B E Furnace Creek Saline Valley Dunes

E including bicycles, must stay on roads. Vehicles, Y LE I N AL L

V A

E S

A N S

L O

H Y S N FI

A N 178

C T LA S F ts I 190 TU Fla CAC s Keeler 18mi 29km Chocolate Mountain 7703ft 2348m s ka

Jac E L A 14 To

B EY R L

Dyer AL k 15mi 24km V A

E 42mi 68km e S

T RO To Los Angeles

M e r Y A

C E

South Haiwee Reservoir D

N L (dry) A

L y In winter carry chains. Road may be closed.

e V l l

n 136 E r o

h V

395

North Haiwee Reservoir w U N N

168 C

s OWENS LAKE

t O

a l

Y Mount Inyo 11107ft 3385m

E O

u UCT N L d k h D

L A s E

o o e A U A J V Q o e A R C

r M ES w Waucoba Mountain 11123ft 3390m EL G R

C LOS AN

n S

o G

E N t I

t n R

Deep Springs Lake I o P 178 S a

C O S Owens Peak N m

P A y E

E Y M D 21mi 40km W S E

INYO N N E

A R E

G L E

E U

FOREST E

D T U I 395 C F S

O O W L NATIONAL Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center To Manzanar National Historic Site To Lake Isabella To Big Pine Lone Pine To Big Pine

www.nps.gov/deva 7 Floods to...

“The dry wash was transformed into floodwaters 100 feet wide with 20-foot waves. The air was filled with the sounds of massive boulders grinding against each other as they rolled

down the canyon.” Paul Forward, Ranger Image by Dr. Tyler Nordgren Park Rebuilds after Devastating Flood at Scotty’s Castle In October 2015, a devastating road destroyed by the floodwaters, flood ripped through Grapevine rangers hiked three miles to Scotty’s Canyon, destroying the road and Castle to assess the damage. They utilities, and flooding Scotty’s Castle walked past pavement jumbled Visitor Center and offices. Tours of with huge boulders, splintered and Scotty’s Castle have been a popular downed powerlines and poles, and Death Valley tradition for decades. the dumpsters they had watched roll Prospector “Death Valley Scotty” through on the floodwaters the night claimed that this elaborate Spanish- before. Upon arriving at Scotty’s style mansion was built with proceeds Castle, they found several buildings, from his fictitious gold mine. In as well as the unfinished swimming reality, it was the 1920s vacation home pool, filled with mud, water, and Mud and debris flowed over many roads during the flooding. of his wealthy benefactors, Albert debris. The flood was so powerful (NPS Photo - Frank Lambert) and Bessie Johnson. During the tours, that it destroyed the water pipeline powerful that it changed the shape rangers dressed in the style of the and spring house and scoured the By The Numbers of the canyon, which hydrologists 1930s and told stories of the Castle’s canyon of much of its vegetation. believe will likely alter how water heyday while guiding visitors through Ninety miles south of Scotty’s Castle, flows through it in the future. its richly furnished interior. The another storm devastated Badwater area is closed and tours have been Road around Jubilee Pass. Getting to Work Roads initially closed suspended as work proceeds. for flood damage Assessment and Cleanup A monumental amount of work has Sunday, October 18, 2015 already been done at Scotty’s Castle, 500 miles In the wake of the flooding, park from replacing the 28 damaged or From almost 60 miles away, a large employees immediately began missing power poles to moving storm could be seen building over clearing the roads of debris. Over about 100,000 museum items and the Scotty’s Castle area. A call came 250 National Park Service employees archives away from the area to a out over the park’s emergency radio Flow of Average from all over the country arrived to secure, climate controlled storage. system reporting people stranded water in flow of the assist. Over 500 miles of paved and Currently, plans are underway to at Ubehebe Crater due to flooding. unpaved roads were closed after the replace 4,000 feet of destroyed Grapevine Colorado Three Rangers headed north to help. storm. Road crews cleared debris off water line and rebuild the road in Canyon River at the They evacuated Mesquite Spring of roads, while fire crews from other Grapevine Canyon. The inside of Campground, but the massive flood during the CO/UT park units removed by hand more the visitor center and office space has from Grapevine Canyon blocked flood border than 98,000 cubic feet of mud and been completely gutted and will be Ubehebe Crater Road. The three debris from inside and around the rebuilt. Experts in historic structures 3,200 cf/s 3,800 cf/s rangers and 17 visitors hunkered historic buildings. are advising planners to ensure that down to spend the night and wait for the work will retain as much of the relief from the storm. The National Weather Service provided detailed data on the storm. historic fabric, look, and feel as When morning broke, a pathway was Over a year’s worth of rain fell in the possible. The bulk of the funding will Average Rainfall cleared on the damaged road to allow Grapevine Canyon area—2.7 inches— come from park entrance fees. yearly during the the visitors to evacuate. With the in only 5 hours. The flood was so Plans for Reopening rainfall in flooding Grapevine event (5.5 Park staff is working toward the Canyon hours) goal of reopening Scotty’s Castle in 2019. At that time, visitors can expect 2.36 inches 2.7 inches to see a remodeled visitor center. Other changes, though, may not be so detectable. A new water system and leach field will deliver water to Estimated cost to repair the the grounds, and a new heating and cooling system will provide efficient Scotty’s Castle area (as of climate control for both people and August 2016) $28 million Scotty’s Castle long shed after the flooding. the historic furnishings and artifacts (NPS Photo - Carre Shandor) that make Scotty’s Castle come alive.

Why do flash floods occur in the desert? Views of Death Valley’s flood The evidence of flash flooding is all around in Death Valley. From the piled alluvial fans to the towering video (online) 956,205 canyon walls, water is the ultimate sculptor. Titus Canyon’s smoothed limestone, the arch of Natural Bridge, down to the polygons of salt crystals on the floor of Badwater Basin, are all dependent on the ephemeral floods that come through the landscape. These places do not often see water, but when they do, the dry earth and rocks cannot always handle the amount they receive. The water is not able to readily soak into the ground, and instead flows. Bounded by tall, rocky canyons, these floodwaters can reach great power in small amounts of time and space, moving large boulders, massive amounts of debris, and even our man- made structures. Watch for evidence of water flows as you travel through the park. Can you spot any signs of the most recent flooding?

www.nps.gov/deva 8 ...Flowers!

“I greeted every rain shower that winter with anticipation of what was to come. The super bloom propelled us through colors and patterns rarely seen together, purple offset the yellow-orange, on the ground yellow and pink decorated the bare hillsides.” Lucy Ellis, Ranger Desert gold. (NPS - KurtMoses)

#Superbloom Superbloom of 2016 was a Desert Gold Geraea canescens During both the flood and the once-in-a-decade event Most abundant superbloom, media sources yellow flower on Death Valley’s record-setting in the Mojave Desert, it was the the valley floor. pulled pictures, quotes, and flooding led to another record; a desert gold that carpeted the videos from Death Valley’s massive quantity of wildflowers, landscape. Alluvial fans were Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Brown-Eyed Evening and with it, visitors! obscured by the blanket of gold, Primrose feeds, which were seen by people The above-average rainfall was and the air was heavy with the Camissonia all over the country and around smell of blossoms. claviformis the world. Social media pulled the key that wildflowers had been White flowers open in in more visitors to the park who waiting for. Desert annual plants Death Valley typically sees just the evening, generated an even greater web are prolific seed producers, but over a million visitors a year, and fade to pink next day. presence. These contributed to in years of average rainfall, only a March can be the busiest month visitation that was much higher small quantity sprout and survive with an average of 95,000 visitors. Notch-Leaf Phacelia Phacelia crenulata than during superblooms of 1998 to produce blooms. October March of 2016 broke all previous 2015’s rain caused millions visitation records for the park, Do not touch or 2005. phacelias, they of dormant seeds to spring to bringing in over 213,000 visitors! cause a skin rash. All of this attention brought a life beginning in December, Warm Springs Canyon, a remote different feel to Death Valley. culminating in a brilliant sea of backcountry area that relatively Cars lined the highways, desert gold, a sunflower that few visit, bustled with activity this Gravel Ghost parking lots were packed, and carpeted the valley through late year, and drew photographers and Atrichoseris platyphylla campgrounds filled. Although winter and spring 2016. botanical enthusiasts to see fields this spring’s bloom is unlikely to White flowers more Blooms of this magnitude have of desert five-spot. noticeable match the superbloom of 2016, than large, low leaves. visitors may encounter a more occurred nearly once a decade “This is the first time in eight relaxing and less crowded park due to frequent or heavy rainfalls years I’ve seen this park so during winter months, with the busy,” said Ranger Carrie Golden Evening this winter season. Primrose last memorable blooms occurring Hearn. “The superbloom was Want to share with us on social Camissonia brevipes in 2005 and 1998. While 250 overwhelming for us, but fantastic Most abundant yellow media? Death Valley regularly species of annual plants occur to experience.” flower in uses these platforms: mid-elevations.

Desert Five-Spot Facebook Eremalche facebook.com/ rotundifolia Globe-shaped flowers deathvalleynp and round leaves. Instagram Sand verbena (NPS - KurtMoses) @deathvalleynps

Twitter @deathvalleynps

Views of Death Valley’s superbloom video (online) 1,145,744

Visitors from all over were attracted to Death Valley for the super bloom. (NPS - KurtMoses) www.nps.gov/deva 9 Programs & Events

Ranger Talks & Guided Hikes Explore, Learn,

Meet with a park ranger to explore the geology of a Protect! remote canyon, view the stars and planets of the night sky, learn about prospectors, or discover the amazing Become an Official adaptations of desert life. A variety of programs are Death Valley Junior Ranger offered from November through March that will help yy Pick up a free Junior Ranger you experience your park in different ways. booklet at a visitor center. Pick up a ranger program schedule at a visitor center. yy Learn about Death Valley by Program schedules are also posted throughout the completing fun activities based park and on the website, nps.gov/deva. on your age.

yy Turn in your completed work to a park ranger at a visitor center.

yy Take the pledge to receive your badge and certificate. Special patches are available for sale at the visitor center bookstore, (only available to official Death Valley Junior Rangers). Junior Rangers (NPS - Kurt Moses) Every Kid in a Park: 4th Grade Pass

Calling All 4th Graders You and your family get free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year. Speak to a ranger or visit everykidinapark.gov for program details.

Ranger Mike leads a hike at Salt Creek (NPS - Kurt Moses) 4th Grader with Pass (NPS - Kurt Moses) #HikeDeathValley Earn the Decal! Share the Experience!

Decal: Pete Avena Decal: Tom Nguyen

Specific hikes are worth points in the #HikeDeathValley Challenge. Earn 4 points, and you’ll snag a limited edition decal. Stop by a visitor center or nps.gov/deva for details, hit the trails, then show us your pics!

Sand Dunes (Tai Hoang)

www.nps.gov/deva 10 Nightlife

“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.” – Jack Kerouac Death Valley Night Sky (J Scott Crist) One of the Largest Dark Sky Parks Night Sky Almanac As you explore Death Valley National Park, you may think – “What could be more amazing than the diversity, colors, extremes and OCTOBER 2016 JANUARY 2017 geology of this place?” Whether you go on a ranger-led program or Planets Visible Planets Visible hike down Mosaic Canyon, there is always something new to see. ËË Mars: South after sunset ËËMars: SW after sunset Well, half the park is after dark! If you go out at night, you will be ËË Venus: Low SW after sunset ËËVenus: SW after sunset ËË Jupiter: SW after sunset ËËJupiter: South before dawn amazed at the numerous stars in the sky, the bright planets Jupiter ËËSaturn: SE before dawn The Moon and Venus, and the fact that you can see the Andromeda Galaxy ËËMercury: Mid Jan, low in east (dawn) ËË Full Moon: Oct 16, New Moon: Oct 30 (2.5 million light years away) with the naked eye. If there is a full The Moon Draconids Meteor Shower moon, seeing the stars can be more challenging, but you can still get ËËFull Moon: Jan 12, New Moon: Jan 27 ËË Early evening Oct 7 an other-worldly experience from a moonlight hike at the Mesquite (Quarter moon will make viewing difficult) Quadrantids Meteor Shower Sand Dunes or at Badwater Basin. Ë Orionids Meteor Shower ËMidnight to dawn Jan (No moon makes excellent viewing) Death Valley’s dark sky has been enhanced in recent years as both ËË Midnight to dawn morn of Oct 22 (Quarter moon will make viewing difficult) the National Park Service and the Furnace Creek Resort reduced FEBRUARY 2017 unnecessary lighting, changed out light fixtures to point needed NOVEMBER 2016 lighting down, and installed yellow lights in place of bright white Planets Visible ËËMars: West after sunset lights. In February 2013, Death Valley’s night sky was formally Planets Visible ËËMars: South after sunset ËËVenus: West after sunset recognized when it was designated as the third and largest ËËVenus: SW after sunset ËËJupiter: South before dawn International Dark Sky Park. ËËJupiter: East before dawn ËËSaturn: SE before dawn Dark skies provoke us to wonder about our place in the universe! ËËSaturn: Early Nov, low in west The Moon Like the rocks, Death Valley’s amazing dark skies have a story to tell. The Moon ËËFull Moon: Feb 10, New Moon: Feb 26 If you hike into the park during the day, don’t forget to go out again ËËFull Moon: Nov 14, New Moon: Nov 29 at night and gaze up at the Milky Way. You will be looking back into Taurids Meteor Shower MARCH 2017 ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Nov 5 our past, into the present and on into the future. (No moon will make viewing excellent) Planets Visible ËËMars: West after sunset While the modern world is losing darkness, Death Valley still offers Leonids Meteor Shower ËËVenus: West after sunset (early March) amazing night sky views. Ask a ranger at the Furnace Creek Visitor ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Nov 18 ËËJupiter: SW before dawn Center for more information on ranger-led Night Sky Programs and (Bright moon will make viewing difficult) ËËSaturn: South before dawn Star Party telescope viewings. ËËMercury: Low in west (late March) DECEMBER 2016 The Moon Planets Visible ËËFull Moon: Mar 12, New Moon: Mar 27 ËËMars & Venus: SW after sunset Spring Equinox Creatures of the Night ËËJupiter: SE before dawn ËËMarch 20 ËËMercury: Dec 11, low in west Death Valley is home to 51 species of native mammals, The Moon APRIL 2017 ËËFull Moon: Dec 13, New Moon: Dec 28 307 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, three species of Planets Visible Winter Solstice ËËMars: Low in west after sunset amphibians, and six species of fish. With so much wildlife, you ËËDecember 21 might expect sightings to be an everyday occurance. Outside ËËVenus: Low in east before dawn Geminid Meteor Shower ËËJupiter: SE sunset, west before dawn of the usual coyotes, roadrunners and lizards though, much ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Dec 14 ËËSaturn: South before dawn of Death Valley’s wildlife appear to be hidden because they (Bright moon will make viewing difficult) ËËMercury: Early Apr, low in west primarily come out at night. Ursids Meteor Shower The Moon Wildlife most active at night are categorized as nocturnal. They ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Dec 22 ËËFull Moon: Apr 10, New Moon: Apr 26 (Quarter Moon will make have developed special adaptations to help them survive, some viewing difficult) Lyrids Meteor Shower of which are comparable to real life “superpowers” such as keen ËËMidnight to dawn Apr 23 (Small moon means excellent viewing) eyesight and hearing. Some adaptations are behavioral such as the kangaroo rat and the elusive desert banded gecko coming out at night to to avoid predation, while others such as owls and MAY 2017 bobcats come out to hunt. Planets Visible ËËMars: Very low in west after sunset Although seeing wildife at night is difficult, finding signs of their ËËJupiter: South after sunset travel can be easy and fun in places like the Mesquite Flat Sand ËËVenus: Very low in east before dawn Dunes. Look for tracks of kangaroo rats, desert sidewinders, and ËËSaturn: South before dawn kit fox just to name a few. As you venture out into the dark desert The Moon night, your eyes will slowly adjust to reveal the depth of the ËËFull Moon: May 10, New Moon: May 25 star-filled sky. Keep your ears open as the creatures of the night Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower slowly awake to fill the desert with new sounds, hopefully sights, ËËMidnight to dawn May 7 and definitely mystery. (Bright moon will make viewing difficult) Kit Fox (Chet Steele) www.nps.gov/deva 11 Visitor Services Furnace Creek Timbisha Shoshone Village Panamint Springs

Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 8am-5pm daily Indian Tacos & Shaved Ice: Panamint Springs Resort: 760-786-3200 - nps.gov/deva 760-258-7858 Lodging & Camping: Entrance passes, exhibits, park film, bookstore, Tuesday - Saturday 10am-6pm 775-482-7680 - panamintsprings.com ranger talks, drinking water and restrooms. General Store: 7am-9pm daily Post Office: Lobby open 24 hours ATM, snacks, ice, firewood, camping supplies, Monday - Friday 8am-4pm Stovepipe Wells Village and gifts Closed for lunch from 1pm-1:30pm Shower Passes: Available at general store Death Valley Lodging Company: Gas Station: 7am-9:30pm Farabees Jeep Rentals and Tours: Lodging & Camping: 87, 89, & 91 octane gasoline 760-786-9872 - deathvalleyjeeprentals.com 760-786-2387 - deathvalleyhotels.com Restaurant and Bar: 7am-9pm daily Furnace Creek Resort: Shower & Pool Passes: Per person passes available until midnight Lodging & Camping 760-786-2345 - furnacecreekresort.com Internet: Hourly and daily rates Local Communities General Store: 7am-10pm daily General Store: 7am-10pm daily Grab-and-go sandwiches, salads & produce, ATM, groceries, ice, camping supplies, gifts, Beatty, Nevada: Lodging, restaurants, ATM, groceries, camping & hiking supplies, sportswear, and firewood camping, gas, general store firewood, ice, souvenirs, ATM Nugget Gift Shop: 7am-9pm daily Restaurants: Pahrump, Nevada: Lodging, restaurants, 49er Cafe: 6am-10:30am; 11:30am-3pm; 4pm-10pm Gas Station: Open 24 hours pay at the pump grocery stores, hospital, auto service, gas, Wrangler Buffet: 6am-10am; 11am-2:00pm Unleaded fuel only ATM, veterinarians, camping (large groups require reservations) Restaurants: Wrangler Steakhouse: 6pm-10pm Toll Road: Breakfast: 7am-10am Amargosa Valley, Nevada: Lodging, gas, Corkscrew Saloon: 11am-11pm Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm restaurants 19th Hole: 10am-4:30pm (seasonal) Badwater Saloon: Lunch: 11:30am-5pm Laundry: Coin operated machines Bar Snacks: 5pm-9pm Shoshone, California: Lodging, restaurants, general store, gas, campground Borax Museum: 10am-6pm daily (free) Gas Station: 24 hours pay at the pump, unleaded, Tecopa, California: Lodging, restaurants, diesel. Propane and limited mechanic services Scotty’s Castle camping

Furnace Creek Stables: Horseback trips Scotty’s Castle and the Bonnie Claire Road Trona, California: Lodging, restaurants, 760-614-1018 - furnacecreekstables.net to NV 267 are closed due to flash flood camping, gas, ATM Sunset and moonlight rides (seasonal) damage until 2019. The roads from CA 190 to Ubehebe Crater, Racetrack, and Mesquite Ridgecrest, California: Lodging, restau- The Inn at Furnace Creek Spring Campground have not been affected. rants, grocery stores, hospital, auto service, Breakfast: 7am-10:30am gas, ATM, veterinarians, camping Lunch: 12pm-2:30pm Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm Lone Pine, California: Lodging, restaurants, (Reservations recommended: 760-786-2345) camping, gas, ATM, groceries, health clinic

Sunset (Scott Stolberg) Lifetime Dump NPS Campgrounds Season/Reservations Elevation Fee Pass Rate Sites Water Firepits Tables Toilets Station open all year reservations only available and -196 ft $22 standard $11 standard 136 strongly recommended mid-Oct to mid-Apr yes yes yes flush yes Furnace Creek (-60 m) must be made at least 4 days to 6 months in $36 hookups $25 hookups 18 advance 877-444-6777 - recreation.gov

open mid-Oct to mid-Apr - back into all sites -196 ft group $14 $7 270 yes no flush yes Sunset first come - first served (-60 m) only

open mid-Oct to mid-May - no generators sea level $16 $8 92 yes yes yes flush yes Texas Springs first come - first served

open mid-Oct to mid-May sea level $14 $7 190 yes some some flush yes Stovepipe Wells first come - first served

open all year 1,800 ft $14 $7 40 yes yes yes flush yes Mesquite Spring first come - first served (549 m)

open all year - tent only 2,100 ft free 10 yes no no flush no Emigrant first come - first served (640 m)

open all year - 25 ft length limit 4,100 ft free 23 yes yes yes vault no Wildrose first come - first served (1,250 m)

open Mar-Nov - 25 ft length limit 7,400 ft free 6 no yes yes vault no Thorndike first come - first served (2,256 m)

open Mar-Nov - 25 ft length limit 8,200 ft free 10 no yes yes vault no Mahogany Flat first come - first served (2,499 m)

*The National Park Service may reserve sites for management needs with or without notice at any time in any NPS campground. Generator hours are 7:00 am - 7:00 pm unless posted otherwise.

Dump Private Season Elevation Fee Sites Water Firepits Tables Toilets Station open all year -218 ft group group $38 hookups 26 yes flush no Ranch RV Park 760-786-2345 - furnacecreekresort.com (-66 m) only only

open all year -218 ft group group $18 35 yes flush no Fiddler’s Camp 760-786-2345 - furnacecreekresort.com (-66 m) only only

open all year sea level $34 hookups 14 yes no no flush yes Stovepipe Wells RV Park 760-786-2387 - deathvalleyhotels.com

$35 hookups open all year 2,000 ft $20 non-hookup Panamint Springs 76 yes some yes flush no 775-482-7680 - panamintsprings.com (610 m) $10 tents $50 - $65 tent cabins