Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, spanning 3,408,406 acres across eastern California and western Nevada, is the largest national park in the contiguous United States and one of the hottest, driest, and lowest places on Earth. Established as a national park in 1994, it features Badwater Basin—the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level—alongside towering peaks, vast salt flats, and colorful canyons. Known for its extreme climate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F, the park showcases geological wonders like Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, and Racetrack Playa’s sailing stones. Its 1,000 miles of trails and roads offer hiking, scenic drives, and backcountry exploration. As an International Dark Sky Park (certified 2013), it provides exceptional stargazing. Attracting about 1.1 million visitors annually (2024 NPS data), Death Valley is a starkly beautiful destination for adventurers, geologists, and photographers seeking raw, otherworldly landscapes.

Zabriskie Point bathed in warm afternoon light in Death Valley National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun
Zabriskie Point bathed in warm afternoon light in Death Valley National Park – Photo by James L Rathbun

History

Death Valley’s history reflects Indigenous resilience, exploration, mining booms, and conservation efforts that preserved its extreme environment.

Indigenous Presence

The region has been inhabited for over 10,000 years by the Timbisha Shoshone, who adapted to the harsh desert, using springs like those at Furnace Creek for survival. They hunted bighorn sheep, gathered mesquite beans, and created basketry, with cultural sites like petroglyphs still present. The Timbisha named the area “Tümpisa” (rock paint), referring to red ochre deposits. Their descendants maintain a presence in the park, with a village at Furnace Creek and co-management agreements with the National Park Service (NPS). Other tribes, including the Paiute and Shoshone, used the region seasonally.

European Exploration and Settlement

European-American contact began in 1849 when gold-seeking pioneers, the “Lost 49ers,” became stranded in the valley, naming it “Death Valley” after their harrowing escape. One group member reportedly died, and the name stuck despite earlier Spanish and Mexican explorations. In the 1880s, borax mining boomed, with companies like the Pacific Coast Borax Company using 20-mule teams to haul borax from Harmony Borax Works. Mining towns like Skidoo and Rhyolite (now a ghost town) flourished briefly, leaving ruins and artifacts. By the early 20th century, tourism grew, with the Furnace Creek Inn (opened 1927) catering to visitors drawn to the desert’s extremes.

National Park Establishment

In 1933, President Herbert Hoover designated Death Valley a national monument to protect its geological and cultural resources. The monument expanded over decades, and in 1994, the California Desert Protection Act elevated it to national park status, incorporating areas like Saline Valley and Eureka Dunes. The NPS now manages the park, preserving Timbisha Shoshone sites, historic mining structures, and natural features while promoting sustainable tourism. The park’s remote vastness and extreme conditions continue to challenge and inspire visitors.

Scottys Castle is found in Grapevine Canyon in Death Valley National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun
Scottys Castle is found in Grapevine Canyon in Death Valley National Park – Photo by James L Rathbun

Geography

Death Valley National Park lies in the northern Mojave Desert, part of the Basin and Range Province, with a landscape defined by extremes in elevation and climate.

Geological Features

The park’s geology spans 1.7 billion years, with ancient metamorphic rocks, sedimentary layers, and volcanic deposits shaped by faulting, uplift, and erosion. The valley formed as a graben—a sunken block between faulted ranges—over millions of years. Key features include:

  • Badwater Basin: North America’s lowest point at 282 feet below sea level, a vast salt flat.
  • Zabriskie Point: Eroded badlands with colorful, wave-like hills of mudstone and clay.
  • Racetrack Playa: A dry lakebed where “sailing stones” move, leaving mysterious trails (explained by wind and ice).
  • Dante’s View: A 5,475-foot overlook with panoramic views of the valley and Telescope Peak (11,049 feet).
  • Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Towering dunes near Stovepipe Wells, ideal for photography.
  • Ubehebe Crater: A 600-foot-deep volcanic crater formed 2,000–7,000 years ago.

The Amargosa and Panamint Ranges frame the valley, with Telescope Peak as the highest point. Flash floods carve slot canyons like Mosaic Canyon, while alluvial fans and salt pans dominate the valley floor.

Climate and Ecosystems

Death Valley’s extreme climate features scorching summers (100–125°F, with a record 134°F in 1913 at Furnace Creek), mild winters (40–70°F), and minimal precipitation (2–3 inches annually). Spring (March–April) and fall (October–November) offer temperate conditions (60–80°F). Flash floods occur during rare storms, reshaping canyons. Ecosystems range from salt-tolerant plants in Badwater Basin to pinyon-juniper woodlands at higher elevations. Vegetation includes creosote bush, Joshua trees, and rare wildflowers during spring blooms (February–April after wet winters). Wildlife comprises desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, kit foxes, and reptiles like sidewinder rattlesnakes. The Dark Sky Park status ensures pristine night skies, with the Milky Way visible from Dante’s View and Harmony Borax Works.

Key Areas

Racetrack Playa and Ubehebe Crater: Remote northern sites requiring high-clearance vehicles.

Furnace Creek: The park’s hub, with the Visitor Center, Furnace Creek Inn, and Ranch at Death Valley.

Stovepipe Wells: A northern base with Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Mosaic Canyon.

Scotty’s Castle: A historic Spanish-style mansion (closed until 2026 due to flood damage).

Saline Valley: Remote, with warm springs and dunes, accessible via 4WD.

Panamint Springs: A western gateway with trails to Darwin Falls and Aguereberry Point.

Travel Report

Death Valley National Park offers a vast, otherworldly destination for hiking, scenic drives, and stargazing, with practical considerations for 2025 visitors.

Getting There

Located near Furnace Creek, California, the park is accessible via:

  • Las Vegas (120 miles, 2 hours to Furnace Creek): US-95 north to NV-374 or CA-190.
  • Los Angeles (260 miles, 4.5 hours): I-15 north to CA-127, then CA-190.
  • Reno (400 miles, 6.5 hours): US-95 south to NV-374 or CA-190.

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the main hub, open year-round. No public transit serves the park; a personal vehicle is essential. A $30 vehicle entrance fee (valid 7 days) applies, or use an America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year). Many roads (e.g., Racetrack Playa, Saline Valley) require high-clearance 4WD. No timed entry reservations are required in 2025, but backcountry permits are needed for remote camping.

Accommodations

  • Furnace Creek Campground: Year-round, 136 sites (tents, RVs up to 35 feet, $22–$36/night), reservable October–April via Recreation.gov, first-come, first-served otherwise. Amenities include flush toilets, potable water, dump station, and some hook-ups. “Site 76 was shaded and central,” said a camper (The Dyrt, 2025).
  • Texas Springs Campground: Seasonal (October–April), 92 sites (tents, RVs, $16/night), first-come, first-served. Flush toilets, potable water, no hook-ups. “Quiet with great views,” noted a camper (Campendium, 2025).
  • Sunset Campground: Seasonal (October–April), 270 sites (RVs, $14/night), first-come, first-served. Flush toilets, dump station, no water or hook-ups.
  • Other Campgrounds: Stovepipe Wells (30 sites, $14/night), Mesquite Spring (30 sites, $14/night), and remote sites like Emigrant and Wildrose (free, vault toilets, no water) are first-come, first-served.
  • Backcountry Camping: Free with a voluntary permit from the Visitor Center, allowed along dirt roads (1 mile from paved roads). Follow Leave No Trace principles.
  • Nearby Lodging: Furnace Creek has the Ranch at Death Valley ($150–$300/night) and Furnace Creek Inn ($250–$400/night, seasonal). Panamint Springs Resort (25 miles west, $50–$150/night) offers cabins and camping. Beatty, NV (40 miles), has budget motels.

Activities and Attractions

  • Hiking: Over 1,000 miles of trails and routes:
    • Badwater Basin (0.5 miles roundtrip, easy): Walk on the salt flats at North America’s lowest point.
    • Zabriskie Point (0.4 miles roundtrip, easy): Iconic views of eroded badlands.
    • Mosaic Canyon (4 miles roundtrip, moderate): Polished marble slot canyons near Stovepipe Wells.
    • Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch Loop (4–8 miles, moderate): Colorful badlands and Red Cathedral.
    • Telescope Peak (14 miles roundtrip, strenuous): The park’s highest point at 11,049 feet.
  • Scenic Drives: Over 300 miles of paved and dirt roads:
    • Badwater Road (45 miles): From Furnace Creek to Badwater Basin, with stops at Devil’s Golf Course.
    • Artist’s Drive (9 miles): Colorful hills at Artist’s Palette.
    • Twenty Mule Team Canyon (2.7 miles, unpaved): Historic mining route.
    • Racetrack Playa Road (26 miles, 4WD): Remote, with sailing stones.
  • Stargazing: Ranger-led programs (November–March) and the Night Sky Festival (February) highlight the Dark Sky status. “Dante’s View stars were unreal,” said a visitor (Tripadvisor, 2025).
  • Other Activities: Photography (sunrise at Zabriskie Point, sunset at Dante’s View), biking on paved roads, and backcountry 4WD routes (e.g., Titus Canyon, permit recommended). Cultural sites include Harmony Borax Works and Rhyolite Ghost Town (just outside the park).

Travel Tips

  • Best Time to Visit: Late fall (October–November) and early spring (February–March) offer mild weather (60–80°F). Summer (100–125°F) is dangerously hot; avoid hiking after 10 AM. Winter (40–70°F) brings cooler days but cold nights (20–40°F). Spring wildflower blooms (February–April) depend on rainfall.
  • Preparation: Carry 1 gallon of water per person per day for hiking, especially in summer. Pack sun protection (hats, sunscreen, sunglasses) and layers for night. Flash floods are a risk during monsoons—check NPS.gov for alerts. Cell service is limited to Furnace Creek (Verizon/AT&T); download maps or use a GPS device.
  • Wildlife Safety: Bighorn sheep, coyotes, and rattlesnakes are present. Store food in vehicles or lockers (bears are rare). Keep a safe distance; pets are allowed on leashes (6 feet max) on roads and campgrounds only.
  • Accessibility: Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Furnace Creek Campground (accessible sites), and paved viewpoints like Badwater Basin are wheelchair-friendly. Most trails are rugged; Artist’s Drive is paved. 4WD is required for remote areas.
  • Nearby Attractions: Beatty, NV (40 miles), offers dining and the Goldwell Open Air Museum. Lone Pine, CA (100 miles), has the Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney. Las Vegas (120 miles) provides entertainment. Amargosa Valley (30 miles) has the Amargosa Opera House.
  • Services: Furnace Creek has gas, groceries, dining (Ranch at Death Valley), showers, and laundry. Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs have limited supplies. Visitor Center sells maps, books, and permits. No Wi-Fi in most areas.

Visitor Feedback

  • Positives: Visitors praise the park’s vastness and surreal landscapes. “Zabriskie Point felt like another planet,” said a reviewer (Tripadvisor, 2025). Campgrounds are scenic: “Furnace Creek was convenient with shade,” noted a camper (Campendium, 2025). Stargazing and solitude are highlights.
  • Negatives: Extreme heat deters summer visitors: “Couldn’t hike past 9 AM in July,” complained a visitor (Reddit, 2024). Limited amenities (no showers at most campgrounds) and remote access challenge some: “Racetrack Playa’s road was rough,” said a camper (The Dyrt, 2025).

Conclusion

Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes, offering otherworldly landscapes, from Badwater Basin to Telescope Peak, and a rich history from Timbisha Shoshone traditions to borax mining. Its trails, scenic drives, and Dark Sky stargazing cater to adventurers and photographers, while Furnace Creek and other campgrounds provide rustic bases. Preparation for heat, remote roads, and limited services is essential. Death Valley delivers an unforgettable journey through one of Earth’s harshest yet most captivating environments, blending geological awe with cultural depth.

Thunderstorm in Death Valley National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun
Thunderstorm in Death Valley National Park – Photo by James L Rathbun

Death Valley 4×4 Trails

Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Cerro Gordo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Crowells Mill under construction in Chloride City, CA about 1915

Chloride City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903)

Fish Canyon Escape Trail

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Barker Ranch - The building complex was heavily vegetated with trees, with a sparsely planted understory. Note the Manson bus in the left hand side of the image. View northwest, 1969 (DEVA collection). - NPS

Goler Wash and Mengel Pass

Goler Wash and Mengel Pass over a route into Butte Valley from Panamint Valley. Although not technically in Death Valley, this trail is consider part…
Henry Wade Escape Route Monument located on Highway 127

Henry Wade Escape Route

The Henry Wade Escape Route is an easy 4x4 trail suitable for almost any vehicle and connects highway 127 to Badwater Road. The route is…
The Lost Burrow Mine is located off Hunter Mountain Road in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hunter Mountain Road

Hunter Mountain Road is a lightly used moderately difficult road which delivers you to one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Death Valley…
Lippencott Mine Road from Racetrack Valley, Death Valley National Park, CA

Lippincott Mine Road

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The cabin found at the Lost Burrow Mine is in good shape.

Lost Burro Mine

Founded in 1907 when Bert Shively picked up a rock to throw at some stray burros and discovered gold, the Lost burro Mine is a…
The Racing stones.

Racetrack Valley

TeaKettle Junction lets you know you are starting to get close to the Racetrack. Racetrack valley is a rough graded road which departs the Ubehebe…
Skidoo, CA 1907

Skidoo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Skidoo, California, once a bustling gold mining town in the early 20th century, now stands as a ghost town within Death Valley National Park. Located…
Titus Canyon, a narrow canyon drive in Death Valley National Park, CA

Titus Canyon

Titus Canyon has it all, rugged mountains, colorful rock formations, a small ghost town, mines, petroglyphs, wildlife, rare plants and spectacular canyon narrows as a…
Ubehebe Mine with tramway visible at the top of the hill, Death Valley, CA

Ubehebe Lead Mine

The Ubehebe Lead Mine is located just west of the Racetrack Playa Road off of the Bonnie Claire Road.  Discovered in 1906, the mine is…
Looking down at the Lippencott Mine Road from the Lippencott Mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.

Warm Springs Road

A short side trip from the Saline Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warm Springs in Death Valley National Park, California. The road is used…
White Top Mountain Road view from the Lost Burrow Mine Road, Death Valley, CA

White Top Mountain

White Top Mountain road is located off of Hunter Mountain Road, in Death Valley National Park, California. A hilly and mountainous road connecting the Hidden…

Death Valley Campgrounds

Death Valley National Park

Emigrant Campground

Emigrant Campground is a tent only campground located next to CA Route 190 near the boundary of Death Valley National Park, California. The campgrounds is…
Death Valley National Park

Eureka Dunes Dry Camp

Eureka Dunes Campground is near a small localize sand dunes formation with Death Valley National Monument. Eureka Dunes Dry Camp is located next to the…

Furnace Creek Campground

Furnace Creek Campground is located at -200 below sea level in Death Valley National Park, California. The campground is the most popular in the Death…
Homestake, Death Valley

Homestake Dry Camp

Homestake Dry Camp - A primative campsite at Racetrack Valley The Homestake Dry camp is a primitive campground located in Racetrack valley inside Death Valley…
Death Valley National Park

Mahogany Flat Campground

Mahogany Flat Campground lies at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Parl. The campground provides access to hiking and backpacking,…

Mesquite Springs Campground

Mesquite Springs Campground located near Scotty's Castle in Death Valley Mesquite Springs is a campground in Death Valley National Park, Located just a few short…
Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park

Stovepipe Wells

Stovepipe Wells Campgound is located in Stovepipe wells just off the 190 highway in Death Valley National Park. Located about 25 miles away from Furnace…
Sunset Campground located in Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park. Photo by Heather Rathbun

Sunset Campground

Sunset Campground is another large, flat parking lot campground primary for RV camping located near Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, California. The Campground…
Death Valley National Park

Texas Springs Campground

Texas Springs Campground is another large campground, primarilyy for RV and trailer camping within Death Valley National Park. The campground a mile of the Furnace…
Death Valley National Park

Thorndike Campground

Thorndike campground is located at 7,400 feet in the Panamint Mountains in Death Valley National Park. The campground is accessible to high clearance vehicles only…
Death Valley National Park

Wildrose Campground

Wildrose Campground is located at 4100 feet above sea level in the Paramint Mountains within Death Valley National Park. This semi-primative campground is located off…

Death Valley Ghost Towns

Ballarat, California - Marriedtofilm at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Malafaya using CommonsHelper.

Ballarat California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Ballarat, California Located in Inyo County, Ballarat California is a ghost town which supposedly has a few residents living their dream within the town. Ballarat…
Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Cerro Gordo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Crowells Mill under construction in Chloride City, CA about 1915

Chloride City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Greenwater Mining District, CA 1906

Greenwater California – Inyo County Ghost Town

In 1904, a copper strike near Greenwater Spring and ensuing rush to profit caused the formation of Greenwater in Inyo County, California. Originally known by…
Cashier Mill ruin and Pete Aguereberry, 1916. From Dane Coolidge Collection,

Harrisburg California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Leadfield Sign, Death Valley, California

Leadfield California – A Death Valley Ghost Town

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Panamint City Stamp Mill

Panamint City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Panamint City California - 1875 Panamint City California is a ghost town and silver mine site located in Inyo County. The town site was built…
Rhyolite, Nevada photo by James L Rathbun

Rhyolite Nevada – Nye County Ghost Town

Rhyolite is a ghost town location just outside of the Eastern edge of Death Valley National monument in Nye country, Nevada.  Founded in 1904 by…
Photograph of the "Baby Gauge" (aka "Baby Gage") mine train at the mining camp of Ryan, Death Valley, ca.1900-1950. A car with one headlight can be seen at center on tracks pulling a platform with four benches upon it. Someone can be seen driving the car, while four men and women sit on the benches. A small wooden shack with a portion of the roof missing can be seen behind the platform, while a ladder, wooden planks, and more tracks are visible at left. A valley and mountains can be seen in the background. - “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library.

Ryan California

Ryan, California, is a small unincorporated community located in the southeastern region of San Bernardino County, California. The town is located in the Greenwater Range…
Schwab, California - “In the afternoon the townsite company drinks tea,” Death Valley Chuck-Walla magazine, Vol 2. No. 1, June 1907

Schwab California

Schwab is a gold mining camp and ghost town located in Echo-Lee Mining District of Death Valley National Park in California. The little townsite of…
Skidoo, CA 1907

Skidoo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Skidoo, California, once a bustling gold mining town in the early 20th century, now stands as a ghost town within Death Valley National Park. Located…

Death Valley Points of Interest

Artist's Palette, Death Valley National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun

Artist Drive

Artist Drive is perhaps one of the most popular and scenic drives through a colorful palette of geology, located in Death Valley National Park, California.…
Badwater Basin located at 282 feet below sea level in Death Valley National Park. - Photo by James L Rathbun

Badwater Basin

Located at 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is a popular stop for sightseers visiting Death Valley National Park, California. The site is located…
Ballarat, California - Marriedtofilm at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Malafaya using CommonsHelper.

Ballarat California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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This image, taken circa 1940, shows the main residence, workshop, retaining walls, and ornamental vegetation. Note the windmill located behind the workshop. View north (DEVA collection) - NPS

Barker Ranch

Thomason/Barker Ranch is a five-acre property within Death Valley National Park. This historic site is located off of Goler Wash in the southern Panamint Range…
Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Cerro Gordo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Located in the Inyo Mountains on the eastern side of Owens Valley, Cerro Gordo California is a currently a ghost town after almost 100 years…
Crowells Mill under construction in Chloride City, CA about 1915

Chloride City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Darwin Falls is a nice hike near Death Valley National Park, CA

Darwin Falls

The waterfalls of Darwin are located on the western edge of Death Valley National Park near the settlement of Panamint Springs, California. Although there exists…
Baldwin Locomotive No 1 Engine, D V R R

Death Valley Railroad

The Death Valley Railroad (DVRR) was a historic 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge railroad that once operated in Death Valley. Built primarily to support mining…
A completely flattened structure at Goldbelt Springs, Death Valley, California - Photo by James L Rathbun

Goldbelt Springs

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Greenwater Mining District, CA 1906

Greenwater California – Inyo County Ghost Town

In 1904, a copper strike near Greenwater Spring and ensuing rush to profit caused the formation of Greenwater in Inyo County, California. Originally known by…
Cashier Mill ruin and Pete Aguereberry, 1916. From Dane Coolidge Collection,

Harrisburg California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Harrisburg, California, a now-abandoned ghost town in Inyo County, was a fleeting but significant mining camp in Death Valley’s history. Established in 1905 following a…
Henry Wade Escape Route Monument located on Highway 127

Henry Wade Escape Route

The Henry Wade Escape Route is an easy 4x4 trail suitable for almost any vehicle and connects highway 127 to Badwater Road. The route is…
Keane Wonder Mine - 1916 - Quartz mill. Mine said to have produced $1,000,000. Closed May 1916 as the developed ore bodies were worked out.

Keane Wonder Mine – “King of the Desert”

The Keane Wonder Mine is perhaps the most visited gold mining facility in Death Valley National Park in eastern California. Mining operations began in December…
Leadfield Sign, Death Valley, California

Leadfield California – A Death Valley Ghost Town

Leadfield California is a ghost town located in Inyo County and Death Valley National Park and found on the Titus Canyon Trail. The town boom…
The cabin found at the Lost Burrow Mine is in good shape.

Lost Burro Mine

Founded in 1907 when Bert Shively picked up a rock to throw at some stray burros and discovered gold, the Lost burro Mine is a…
Myers Ranch, Panamint Mountain

Myers Ranch

Myers Ranch is a privately owned ranch located in Goler Wash in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley National Park, California. The forty acre ranch…
U2's Joshua Tree - 2016

One Tree Hill, A trip to the U2 Joshua Tree

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Panamint City Stamp Mill

Panamint City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Panamint City California - 1875 Panamint City California is a ghost town and silver mine site located in Inyo County. The town site was built…
The Racing stones.

Racetrack Valley

TeaKettle Junction lets you know you are starting to get close to the Racetrack. Racetrack valley is a rough graded road which departs the Ubehebe…
Rhyolite, Nevada photo by James L Rathbun

Rhyolite Nevada – Nye County Ghost Town

Rhyolite is a ghost town location just outside of the Eastern edge of Death Valley National monument in Nye country, Nevada.  Founded in 1904 by…
Photograph of the "Baby Gauge" (aka "Baby Gage") mine train at the mining camp of Ryan, Death Valley, ca.1900-1950. A car with one headlight can be seen at center on tracks pulling a platform with four benches upon it. Someone can be seen driving the car, while four men and women sit on the benches. A small wooden shack with a portion of the roof missing can be seen behind the platform, while a ladder, wooden planks, and more tracks are visible at left. A valley and mountains can be seen in the background. - “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library.

Ryan California

Ryan, California, is a small unincorporated community located in the southeastern region of San Bernardino County, California. The town is located in the Greenwater Range…
Schwab, California - “In the afternoon the townsite company drinks tea,” Death Valley Chuck-Walla magazine, Vol 2. No. 1, June 1907

Schwab California

Schwab is a gold mining camp and ghost town located in Echo-Lee Mining District of Death Valley National Park in California. The little townsite of…
Scotty's Castle located in Grapevine Canyon in Death Valley.

Scottys Castle – The Death Valley Ranch

Scottys Castle located in Grapevine Canyon in Death Valley. Named after Walter Scott AKA "Death Valley Scotty", Scottys Castle or the Death Valley Ranch is…
Skidoo, CA 1907

Skidoo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

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Teakettle Junction at the intersection of Hunter Mountain Road and Race Track Valley Road, Death Valley National Park, California - Photo by James L Rathbun

Teakettle Junction

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The Arargosa Opera House is located in Death Valley Junction, California.

The Amargosa Opera House

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Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley National Park, California - Photo by James L Rathbun

Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater is a volcanic crater located near Grapevine Canyon in Death Valley National Park in California. The crater is approximately 600 deep and one…
Ubehebe Mine with tramway visible at the top of the hill, Death Valley, CA

Ubehebe Lead Mine

The Ubehebe Lead Mine is located just west of the Racetrack Playa Road off of the Bonnie Claire Road.  Discovered in 1906, the mine is…
Looking down at the Lippencott Mine Road from the Lippencott Mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.

Warm Springs Road

A short side trip from the Saline Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warm Springs in Death Valley National Park, California. The road is used…
Zabriskie Point bathed in warm afternoon light in Death Valley National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is perhaps one of the best known and popular overlooks in the entire Death Valley National Park, California. The landmark is named for…

Death Valley Personalities

Albert Mussey Johnson

 Albert Mussey Johnson – Death Valley Ranch Owner

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Asa Russell "Panamint Russ" in front of the Geologist cabin - Courtesy of Desert Magazine April 1955

Asa Merton Russell “Panamint Russ” 

Asa Russell, also known as "Panamint Russ", was a prospector and mine owner is the Butte Valley Area of Death Valley National Park, California. Asa…
Carl Mengel with dog "Whitey at his home in Butte Valley, April 1940. Photo courtesy of DEVA NM.

Carl Mengel – Panamint Valley Miner

Carl Mengel was a prospector and miner in Panamint Valley, located in Death Valley National Park, California. He lost a leg in a mining accident,…
Charles Ferge "Seldom Seen Slim"

Charles Ferge “Seldom Seen Slim” – A Ballarat Prospector

Charles Ferge "Seldom Seen Slim" Charles Ferge "Seldom Seen Slim" is the last of the known prospectors who lived in the town of Ballarat located…
The booking photo of the dimunutive Charles Milles Maddox. Inyo County October 1969.

Charles Milles Maddox

Charles Milles Maddox AKA Charlie Manson was a serial killer and most of the bad parts of the Old Testament sort of criminal. He briefly…
Christian Brevoort Zabriskie

Christian Brevoort Zabriskie

Christian Brevoort Zabriskie was a vice president and general manager Pacific Coast Borax Company located in Death Valley National Park. Zabriske served teh Pacific Coast…
C. C. Julian

Courtney Chauncey Julian

C. C. Julian Courtney Chauncey Julian, C. C. Julian, was a businessman and shameless promoter who's business dealings forced him to flee to California for…
Ed Schieffelin

Edward Lawrence Schieffelin

Edward Lawrence Schieffelin, a rugged and determined prospector, carved his name in the annals of American history as the man who discovered silver and founded…
Francis Marion "Borax" Smith

Francis Marion Smith – “Borax Smith”

Francis Marion "Borax" Smith Francis Marion Smith, also known as "Borax" Smith was a miner and business man who made a fortune in the hostile…
Frank "Shorty" Harris

Frank “Shorty” Harris

Frank Harris was a prospector, desert rat and perhaps the best known character in western mining history. He looked the part, often travelling the desert…
Pete Aguereberry

Pete Aguereberry – A Panamint Valley Miner

Pete Aguereberry was a prospector and miner who operated around Death Valley National Park, for whom Aguereberry is named. Born in the Basque Region of…
Walter Scott (1872 - 1954)

Walter Edward Perry Scott – “Death Valley Scotty”

Walter Edward Perry Scott  (September 20, 1872 – January 5, 1954), also known as "Death Valley Scotty", was a miner, prospector and conman who operated…

Further Reading

Death Valley (Images of America ) - Author: Robert P. Palazzo

Death Valley (Images of America)

Death Valley (Images of America ) - Author: Robert P. Palazzo Death Valley, its harsh and rugged landscape established a national monument in 1933 and…
Death Valley Gold Rush (Images of America) - Written by Ted Faye

Death Valley Gold Rush (Images of America)

Death Valley Gold Rush (Images of America) - Written by Ted Faye From the mid-19th century to the 1930s, no place in America was more…
Ghost Town Living: Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley written by Brent Underwood

Ghost Town Living: Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley

Ghost Town Living: Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley written by Brent Underwood The siren song of Cerro Gordo,…
Ghost Towns of Death Valley (Images of America) - Author: Robert P. Palazzo

Ghost Towns of Death Valley (Images of America) 

Ghost Towns of Death Valley (Images of America) - Author: Robert P. Palazzo Although the Death Valley area is sparsely populated, it once was home…
Railroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail) written by Robert P. Palazzo

Railroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail)

Railroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail) written by Robert P. Palazzo Railroads of Death Valley have played an important part in the history of…
Scotty's Castle (Images of America) - Author Robert P. Palazzo

Scotty’s Castle (Images of America)

Scotty's Castle (Images of America) - Author Robert P. Palazzo Scotty's Castle is a study in contrasts, much like its setting in Death Valley. While…
The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America) - Author Ted Faye

The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America)

The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America) - Author Ted Faye The image of 20 mules hauling a train of wagons was…

Resources

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