Death Valley received its unfortunate name many years ago when a party of pioneers made a decision to go through the Valley on their way to California. As they traveled through this dangerous region, one of their party members died. All of the other members of the group made it through safely but the legend says that there was a particular member of the group who coined the expression, “Goodbye, Death Valley” as they left.
If you believe in this legend then you will appreciate that even though this area is extremely dangerous, it is also considered one of the most beautiful National Parks in the United States. Today, however, a trip into this unique Valley will not be dangerous at all as long as you are prepared. In fact, there are some awesome unique experiences in Death Valley that you will not find anywhere else.
To complete your Death Valley bucket list experience will require a 4 hour trip by car from Los Angeles, California. If you leave from Las Vegas, your Death Valley bucket list experience will only be a two-hour trip. The best way to get there from California is by using Highway 190. Some of the wonders that you will encounter while visiting Death Valley include a soak in a natural Hot Spring, a visit to a real ghost town, lively desert wildlife, delightful desert blooms, epic landscapes, and towering sand dunes.
For example, at Badwater Basin, you are 86 m below sea level. This makes it definitely the lowest point in North America. Right beside the basin, you will see Telescope Peak which rises over 3000 m above sea level. If you want to do a photo shoot, then this is the perfect spot.
Of course, any trip to Death Valley would be incomplete without visiting the towering sand dunes. There are 5 different sand dunes that you can experience. You may even be able to take a moonlit night tour offered by the Park Rangers. If you are fortunate, you might even encounter some of the wildlife that scurries around during the nighttime.
Most people do not realize that there are more than 1000 plant species throughout Death Valley. The plant life in Death Valley is truly unique. If you have an opportunity to visit between mid-February and early June, you will be in for a spectacular blossom experience that is not found anywhere else. Other interesting side trips should include a visit to a real ghost town and a relaxing soak in a Natural Hot Spring.
Related posts:
If you are a visitor to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, you will surely experience the ultimate in adventure as you traverse this magnificent land. This magnificent land boasts of the highest elevation in North America, towering 7500 ft above se...
If you are going to be heading out on a road trip this year, you are going to want to continue reading. Below, we will be discussing some of the top road trip ideas that you can implement in your ultimate road trip. Top Road Trip Ideas: 1. Food...
The beautiful state of Colorado has so much to offer that it would be virtually impossible to even scratch the surface on a week-long Colorado road trip, but it can still be a journey that you will remember for a lifetime. Here is a 7-day road trip w...
Yellowstone Park is America's first national park established in 1872. The immensely popular park in the 19th century still draws tourists from across the globe. Staying for more than one night is essential to satisfy your adventure of visiting the p...
Bryce Canyon National Park is situated in southwestern Utah in the U.S. This area was first settled in the 1850s by the Mormon pioneers and derived its name from Ebenezer Bryce, who decided to homestead in this area in the year 1874. The area that su...
If you're looking for a place to go when you're not stuck in traffic, Los Angeles is the place for you. The largest city in the State of California, Los Angeles is a booming metropolitan center and the center of most of the country's movie and televi...