How well do you know Death Valley?
Death Valley is a place of extremes — and of surprising life. Six questions, from easy to hard, with explanations.
Did you know?
- Despite its reputation as the hottest place in the country, Death Valley gets snow on its highest peaks. Telescope Peak rises over 11,000 feet and is often snow-capped in winter, far above the salt flats.
- In 2023, a rare heavy rainfall created a temporary lake at Badwater Basin. Visitors were able to kayak on the shallow lake for several months before it evaporated.
- Scotty's Castle, a large Spanish-style mansion in the park built in the 1920s, was damaged by a flash flood in 2015. It has been undergoing a long restoration.
Life in a land of extremes
Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes: salt flats, sand dunes, colorful badlands and snow-capped mountains all within a single park. Despite its name and harsh summer heat, it supports hundreds of plant and animal species adapted to survive with little water, and it welcomes visitors from around the world.
Why it's so hot
Death Valley is a long, narrow basin surrounded by mountains. Sunlight heats the valley floor, and the hot air is trapped by the steep walls. Air that rises and cools can sink back down, heating further. Clear skies and dry air add to the intense summer temperatures.
Colorful landscapes
Places such as Artist's Palette display rocks in shades of pink, green, yellow and purple, caused by minerals such as iron and manganese. Zabriskie Point overlooks golden badlands, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes attract photographers at sunrise and sunset.
Surprising water
Despite its dryness, Death Valley has springs, streams and a few pools. These rare water sources support unique pupfish, birds and plants. Some pupfish species evolved separately in isolated springs after the region's ancient lakes dried up.
Visiting safely
Summer temperatures often exceed 120°F (49°C), making heat illness a real danger. Rangers recommend visiting from late fall to early spring, carrying plenty of water, staying near vehicles and avoiding hiking at low elevations after mid-morning in hot months.
Night skies
Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park with some of the darkest skies in the United States. Its remoteness and dry air make it excellent for stargazing, and the park hosts astronomy events for visitors.
Ghost towns and history
Death Valley holds reminders of mining booms, including ghost towns such as Rhyolite just outside the park. In the 1880s, borax was hauled out of the valley by famous twenty-mule teams pulling huge wagons across the desert. The image of these teams became a well-known advertising symbol for borax products.