Death Valley National Park - map, photos and other informations
Table of Contents
Description
Death Valley National Park is a national park in the United States. Death Valley is one of the largest national parks in the contiguous United States and contains the largest arid region in North America. The park protected area includes mountains, canyons, dunes, and badlands. It is the hottest and driest of all the national parks in the United States with an area of 3.4 million acres.
The park is located in Inyo County, California, and the eastern part of the park extends into Nevada. The park contains the largest desert in North America. The park is about 190 miles long from north to south and about 120 miles wide from east to west. The park has several visitor centers, ranger stations, and campgrounds.
The park has many different environments, including the lowest point in North America, which is Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level. The park also includes the highest point in California, which is Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet. The park has over 3,000 species of plants and animals.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the park as a national monument to protect its unique environment. In 1994, the park was expanded and redesignated as a national park.
Death Valley National Park is a popular destination for camping, hiking, backpacking, and 4-wheel drive exploration. The park has many different trails ranging from easy to strenuous. The park also has backcountry camping areas for those who want to explore the more remote parts of the park.
Photos of Death Valley National Park
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Death Valley National Park
Where is Death Valley located?
Death Valley is located in the Mojave Desert in California. It is about a 2 hour drive from Las Vegas, Nevada and a 5 hour drive from Los Angeles, California.
Why is Death Valley so hot?
Death Valley is so hot because it is located in a basin below sea level and surrounded by mountains. The sun heats up the air and the air gets trapped in the basin.
What to do in Death Valley?
There are many different things to see and do in Death Valley National Park. Visitors can take scenic drives, go for a hike, visit a ghost town, or go stargazing. There are also ranger-led programs offered throughout the year.
Do people live in Death Valley?
Some people do live in Death Valley, but it is not a hospitable place for human life. The average temperature is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the valley is full of toxic chemicals.
Why is it called Death Valley?
Death Valley was named by a prospector named William Lewis Manly in the 1850s. Manly and a group of prospectors were attempting to cross the valley in the winter, but were forced to turn back due to a lack of water. Several members of the group died, and Manly and the others barely made it out alive.
Average weather in Death Valley National Park
Temp max
|
Temp min
|
Rain
|
Snow
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 °C | 9 °C | 12 mm | 0 mm |
| Feb | 21 °C | 12 °C | 10 mm | 0 mm |
| Mar | 26 °C | 16 °C | 8 mm | 0 mm |
| Apr | 32 °C | 21 °C | 6 mm | 0 mm |
| May | 36 °C | 25 °C | 3 mm | 0 mm |
| Jun | 43 °C | 31 °C | 1 mm | 0 mm |
| Jul | 45 °C | 34 °C | 3 mm | 0 mm |
| Aug | 44 °C | 33 °C | 2 mm | 0 mm |
| Sep | 39 °C | 29 °C | 2 mm | 0 mm |
| Oct | 31 °C | 21 °C | 8 mm | 0 mm |
| Nov | 22 °C | 13 °C | 7 mm | 0 mm |
| Dec | 15 °C | 7 °C | 15 mm | 0 mm |
Other parks nearby
-
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area63.0 mi (101.4 km)|national recreation area -
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park76.9 mi (123.8 km)|state park
-
Manzanar National Historic Site81.4 mi (131.1 km)|national historic site
-
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument86.5 mi (139.2 km)|national monument
-
Red Rock Canyon State Park86.6 mi (139.3 km)|state park
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