In Death Valley National Park, striking elevations stand in contrast: Telescope Peak rises 11,049 feet above sea level, while North America’s lowest point lies 282 feet below sea level in Badwater Basin. Telescope Peak is 15 miles from this point. Death Valley thus brings together peaks, basins, and desert landscapes in an unusual geographic contrast.

Craters, Dunes, and Desert Landscape

Ubehebe Crater is a volcanic crater, 600 feet deep and half a mile wide. Another notable site is The Racetrack: a dry lakebed known for its moving rocks. The road there normally requires good tires, four-wheel drive, and high ground clearance. Road conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

The national park’s sand dunes are well suited to nature watching and recreation, and are considered the park’s best-known and easiest-to-visit dunes. Sandboarding is allowed at Mesquite Sand Dunes; check conditions before you go. Death Valley is home to more than 1,000 plant species, 11 of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Much of the night sky above the national park’s desert floor also remains nearly untouched by light pollution.

Borax History and Structures

Harmony Borax Works began processing ore in late 1883 or early 1884 and ceased operations in 1888. Today, a paved, 1/4-mile loop trail leads visitors through the site’s ruins on a self-guided walk. The trail surface may change; check its condition before your visit. The Harmony Borax Works Ranger Walk shares the history of borax and mining on an easy, 1/3-mile paved trail. The loop trail and the Ranger Walk therefore offer different formats and trail lengths. Ranger program schedules are seasonal and may change.

The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns also tell the story of the region: the site consists of ten beehive-shaped masonry structures, about 25 feet high. Scotty’s Castle offers a glimpse into life in the Roaring ’20s and the Depression ’30s. Access is currently subject to official closure notices; check these before planning a visit. Death Valley National Park is also part of the ancestral homelands of the Timbisha Shoshone.

Trails and Ways to Visit

In the Golden Canyon area, hiking options range from easy walks to challenging excursions. The Golden Canyon Hike ranger program is an easy hike of about 3/4 mile. As with the Harmony Borax Works Ranger Walk, schedules are seasonal and may change. The Salt Creek Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and provides easy access for observing the Salt Creek pupfish.

Road conditions are also important when planning your routes. Several paved highways run through Death Valley National Park, but many secondary attractions require travel on unpaved roads. In total, Death Valley has more than 785 miles of roads, including hundreds of miles suitable for mountain biking. Road conditions and closures can change, so it is worth checking before you set out.

For the broader travel overview: Inyo.