The Hottest Place on Earth! š„µš„āļø Death Valley National Park: California
- saheimhaque
- Jan 29, 2024
- 7 min read
šµ Explore the breathtaking beauty of Death Valley National Park on a one-day adventure! š Discover must-see places and maximize your short trip with these tips. Keep reading for an unforgettable experience! šļø #mustseeplacesindeathvalleynatioanlpark #top5placestosee #DeathValley #TravelAdventure #California
Get ready for š„ Death Valley, where it's not just hot; it's the hottest on Earth.āļøš It's not just low; it's šš©the lowest point in North America. And if you're thinking dry, it's š„“the driest spot in the entire United States. Buckle up for a drive that stretches almost 5 hours, revealing a landscape that's a rollercoaster of extremes. And here's the kicker ā šļøšµit's also the biggest National Park in the U.S. (excluding Alaska). In Death Valley, nature doesn't just speak; it shouts in superlatives! ššļø #DeathValley #NatureExtreme
Did You Know?
š„ Star Wars scenes filmed here!
š„ Recorded Earth's highest temp: 134Ā°F (57Ā°C) in 1913!
š Hottest, driest, and lowest in the US!
š® Death Valley got its spooky name because pioneers thought they'd all die there!
ā¬ļø Badwater Basin is 282 ft below sea level.
ā Gets < 2 inches of rain due to mountains blocking Pacific Ocean rain.
šļø Largest US park (outside Alaska), 5th largest overall: 3.4 million acres.
š In 2022, 1.1 million people visited Death Valley National Park.
š½š¾Are you a Star Wars Fan? Ready for a Tatooine adventure?
ššµ Star Wars filmed cool scenes here for Episode IV - A New Hope and Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. š± Download the free NPS App for a guided tour! š£ļø Listen to cool stories while driving through Star Wars spots in Death Valley.
š Imagine yourself in the movie! š„ It's like being in a Star Wars story, but it's real! So, let's go! šāØ #DeathValleyAdventure #StarWarsMagic
How to Go There?
For an epic journey and to snag the cheapest airfare āļø Fly to Vegas, Ā and set the stage for a road trip of a lifetime to #deathvalleynationalpark. šš£ļøRent a car, cruise the desert highways, and arrive at the park in just 2 hours.āš
Do you know what is Death Valley's Most Unexpected Danger?
š„ Death Valley, the world's hottest spot, has a surprising danger: šmotor vehicle crashes, not heat! š 41 deaths in 10 years, mostly on CA 190. šµ Stay safe on those roadsāit's as challenging as the heat! š¦
When is the Best Time to Visit?
š„ Climate-driven heat caused 9 deaths in US parks in 2023 exceeding summer averages. š š„ Tragedies unfolded in Death Valley, Big Bend, and Grand Canyon due to 100Ā°F+ temps. š”ļø Be safe, it is not a joke! š³š
No doubt, you should visit there in colder months, November last week to February Last Week would be your best shot!
What to See in Death Valley National Park?
There are 50 to 60 points where you can go inside the park, but, hey you are not going to spend a month there! š So I'll recommend the top 5 picks from my three visits to Death Valley! šļø Make the most of your time with these must-see spots!
From Vegas, if you are heading towards the national park then the first stopover can be the General Store at Stovepipe Wells. This is the only facility nearby!
šŗļø Plan your journey strategically by following my sequential map to make the most of your time. š #SmartTravel #OptimizedAdventure.
If you have only One Day go to these 5 Spots
1. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes šµĀ
For the most magical experience, plan your visit during the early morning or late afternoon. š The interplay of sunlight and shadows adds a mystical touch to the dunes, creating a spellbinding landscape. šļøāØ
These two photos are taken at sunset with a cloudy sky!
šļø Mesquite Sand Dunes has no official trails in the sandy area. š„¾ But a short 10-15 minute walk from the parking is good enough to get the view!
šāāļø Looking for adventure? Sandboarding is pretty popular in this area! šļø Strap on a board and ride the dunes for an exhilarating experience! šš #SandboardingThrills
Haque's EYE
It is the ONLY spot in Death Valley where sandboarding is allowed! šµĀ š« No sandboarding rentals in the park, so remember to bring your own š
Be careful because it gets really hot, and hiking after 10 AM is not recommended. This daytime picture credit goes to my friend Rezoana Mithun, always inspired by her energy! Remember to drink water, be respectful of nature, and hike safely! š #StaySafeHiking
Match the dates and š plan to stay overnight to catch the full moon at the sand dunes! š The experience is truly breathtaking! āØ Don't miss the magic of Mesquite Sand Dunes under the moonlight. šļøš #MoonlitDunesAdventure
Haque's EYE
š¦ šWildlife Alert! Mesquite Dunes hosts diverse desert creaturesākeep an eye out for tracks, including rattlesnakes, sidewinders, and beetle imprints. šµš¾ #DesertWildlifethere
āŗļøBonus Tips: Car Camping š
āŗļø Try something special - Car Camping Beneath the Desert Stars! It was the most unforgettable experience in all of my Death Valley Trips šduring my third visit, under the new moon!
š Guess what I found at the general store? An option for car camping right behind it! āØš²Pay 15$ at the station, pick your spot, and enjoy the millions of stars above. š The quiet desert night, distant coyotes, and cool breeze make it a memorable experience.šļø #ConvenientCamping #StarryNightCamping
šOur dinner at the car camp? Cup noodles from the general store! šš Don't worry; there are restroom facilities too for added convenience. A cozy night under the stars with a warm mealāsimple pleasures in the heart of Death Valley. šļøāØ
2. Zabriskie Point š
If I have to choose just one point, I would say must see Zabriskie Point. Beyond being a must-see, Zabriskie Point is a canvas waiting for your lens, as it is the most photographed place in this national park!
From Sand Dunes drive to Furnace Creek Visitor Center, on the way a quick stopover can be at Harmony Borax, where the iconic "20-mule teams" once hauled processed "BORAX named as White Gold of the desert" to market. šµš“ Explore the history of this vital operation that played a key role in the region's development. šš¤ļø #HistoricBoraxPlant
š Only 5 minutes' drive from Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the Zabriskie Point! š Arrive early! Parking fills up fast! ā°It is a short 10-minute uphill walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint.
Haque's EYE
šIt is the best place to see Sunrise and Sunset at the park! š Also your photo will get the softer light during these two times. šø If you are there during noon, be mindful that ā Harsh daytime light can overexpose your photo!
The above photo is taken during sunrise, and the next one is during sunset!
Ā
From this viewpoint, you can see the astonishing view of these layered badlands! š Can you believe- these yellow and brown-striped hills are made of Borax, formed by the force of water! šš
If you want to get close to the #zebriskie mountains, there is a hiking trail that leads you through the multilayer vibrant #mountains below.
š„¾ Hiking options:
šļø Red Cathedral Trail:
- š 0.6 miles from Golden Canyon, 3 miles round trip
- ā¬ļø 574 ft elevation gain
- šļø Features a small slot canyon and panoramic views.
š Golden Canyon:
- š 0.8 miles, moderate difficulty
- ā¬ļø 118 ft elevation gain
- šŖØ Rocky terrain, famous Star Wars filming location!
š„¾ Gower Gulch or Badlands Loop Trail:
- š 4.2 miles round trip, moderate difficulty
- ā¬ļø 715 ft elevation gain
- š Knock them all out with the loop trail!
š If you've got some extra time, make a swift stop at Twenty Mule Team Canyon! šļøš #QuickAdventure #ExploreMore
3. Dante's View Ā šļø
ššØ To reach Dante's View, head east from Zabriskie Point on Highway 190, following a 16-mile paved road.
Remember, vehicles must be under 25 feet for the last part (Artist Drive Loop) of this scenic drive. Dante's View, about 5,500 feet above Badwater Basin, is easily accessible by car. š
šļø A short 5-minute walk from the parking area treats you to breathtaking panoramas of Badwater Basin and Devil's Golf Course. Perfect for sunset, but any time of day offers fantastic views. š šļø
š As part of the International Dark Sky Park, Dante's View provides a celestial display. š
Haque's EYE
š§„ Don't forget to pack warm layers for sunrise or sunset; the elevated spot can get breezy. The temperature drops at least 10 degrees due to the higher elevation! š šļøDuring my first I was not prepared at all!
4. Badwater Basin šļø
Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level and it is also the largest protected salt flats globally! ššØ
At the lowest point in the USA!
The hexagonal-patterned salt crystals and the distant cliffs of the Black Mountains make the Badwater Basin Salt Flats an absolute must-see in Death Valley. šļøš
š§ Ever wonder why it's called Badwater? A traveler's mule refused to drink the salty water, giving the area its name. Funny Right!
š¶ From the parking lot, follow the boardwalk and a flat path for a quick 15-minute stroll to witness the stunning 360-degree view of the vast salt flats at Badwater Basin. šļøāØ #SaltFlatSpectacle
Haque's EYE
Points to be noted: Arrive early to secure parking. There are 2 vault toilets at the lot. Hiking is not advised past 10 am in summer. No pets are allowed.
š¤·āāļøš¤·āāļøHow did it form? The salt flats formed from the evaporation of a once-mineral-rich lake. Ongoing mineral deposits from Death Valley's drainage system continue this fascinating process. š¤š§
š Badwater Basin, with around 200 square miles of salt flats, can offer a fascinating post-rain experience. The area can transform into a mirror-like surface, reflecting the water off the salt crystals! Was not lucky enough to see this phenomenon! š§ļøšļø
š For the best views, a flat 1-mile walk is worth it. Sunset or sunrise photography is a must, capturing the unique beauty of the salt flats! šøš
5. Artist's Driveš
šDrive along the nine-mile stretch of road through the mountains known as "Artists Drive" to reach the unique #ArtistPalette. šØ Witness vibrant color formations caused by metal oxidation in this region. šļøš #ColorfulMountains
š£ļø Drive Tips:
šļøArtists Drive is a one-way, nine-mile paved loop.
š Accessible to vehicles under 25 feet.
š Late afternoon drives offer the best colors.
š Why there are vibrant colors on the mountain?Ā Artist's Palette formed during severe volcanic explosions, with volcanic debris undergoing chemical changes over the years. Iron compounds oxidized, producing the stunning colors we witness today. Nature's unique masterpiece! ššļø
šØ Artist's Palette Vista Point is a popular and designated viewpoint along Artist's Drive offering a stunning overlook of the colorful hills. š To capture the best view, climb to the mountain top using several short hikes. šļøš #ArtistsPaletteMagic
š As it is a popular spot, you might have to wait as much as 30 minutes to secure parking at Artist's Palette Vista Point. Keep this in mind! š æļøš
Your Death Valley itinerary should be:
š Sunset at Sand Dunes,
š Night stay at Car Camp,
š Sunrise at Zabriskie Point,
āļø Noon at Dante's View,
šØ Afternoon on Artist's Drive, and
š Sunset at Badwater Basin.
šāØI wrote this article by combining my experiences from three separate visits to Death Valley National Park and over 30+ hours of research. ššļøThis optimized plan and sequence guarantee you to witness key attractions seamlessly in the perfect order for an unforgettable Death Valley experience.šŗļøš š If you like this blog, don't forget to share this with your friends and family. Get ready for your Death Valley Adventure, Happy Exploring with Haque's EYE!
#nps #park #tripplan #DeathValleyAdventure Ā #DeathValleyExperiences #Deathvalleynationalpark #Mustseeplaces #TravelWriting #California
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