Death Valley National Park

Zabriskie Point is a popular place to view sunrise over the badlands.
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.
Map showing location of park.
A person in a yellow vest stands next to a linear wire structure filled wth rocks. A yellow excavator and other equipment are in the background in a narrow rocky canyon.
High-elevation roads reopen after historic August 2023 flood
Death Valley National Park and Federal Highway Administration have reopened Emigrant Canyon Road, a key high-elevation route that is a popular access point for cooler summer recreation. The road suffered heavy damage following a severe flash flood in August 2023. Temporary fixes allowed it to reopen after a few months but left it vulnerable to wear and tear and further flooding.
This photograph showcases an underwater scene with two prominently featured fish against a vibrant green backdrop of aquatic moss or algae. One fish is in the foreground, centrally located, while the other is in the background, slightly obscured.
Recent earthquakes threaten Devils Hole pupfish, but conservation efforts offer hope
Following a sudden population decline caused by two recent earthquakes, one of the world’s rarest fish – the Devils Hole pupfish – is on the path to recovery, according to a multi-agency team of biologists.
Looking up a steep tan-color slope with loose gray rocks. A black circle added to the photo indicates the hiker's location where the slope becomes completely vertical.
Park Rangers Rescue Man in Steep Gully
Park rangers successfully rescued a stranded hiker from a steep and unstable gully in Death Valley National Park on January 15, following a challenging evening operation.
Vehicle tracks on white sand dunes, with some shrubs.
NPS Seeks Public’s Help Identifying Individuals Responsible for Damage to Eureka Dunes Plants
The National Park Service (NPS) seeks help identifying the person or people who illegally drove on Eureka Dunes in late December or early January. The vehicles caused significant damage to rare plants that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
Hundreds of stars dot the sky, forming what looks like a white haze of distant stars horizontally across the skyline. The foreground is slightly reddish with small shrubs.
Start Planning Your 2025 Trip to Death Valley National Park
As 2025 begins, consider planning a visit to Death Valley National Park. Fee free days and good star-gazing periods can all be ideal times to plan a visit to the 5,000-square-mile desert park.
badlands bathed in pale pink and orange light from the setting sun
Photo by Ronald Gaddis
Morning light on the badlands below Zabriskie Point.
Photo by NPS Photo
white salt flats with dark gray clouds
Photo by NPS photo
a sunset overlooking a valley filled with white salt
Photo by NPS / Jan Vanderlay
pink lupine flowers with an orange and black butterfly
Photo by NPS / J. Jurado
nine 25 foot tall rock beehive structures
Photo by NPS / J. Jurado
a field of yellow flowers with a mountain
Photo by NPS / Kurt Moses
thermometer reading 130 f 54 c
Photo by NPS / J. Jurado
polished walls of a narrow canyon
Photo by NPS / J. Jurado