The Death Valley Bucket List

Posted on December 8, 2019 by Keith

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.

Top Death Valley Attractions You Should Visit

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Keith

Have you ever been to Death Valley? If not, then you’ll want to learn what some of the top Death Valley attractions are. With that said, some of the top attractions you should check out in Death Valley are:

Badwater Basin

One of the most popular attractions in Death Valley is Badwater Basin, which is a salt drainage basin that’s located in Death Valley National Park. Anytime of the year is a good time to visit Badwater Basin, but the best time is in November. Make sure to bring a camera because you’ll want to snap as many photos of the basin, especially from afar.

Other than the scenery, you can do a bit of hiking here. Do the entire walk down to the basin though, otherwise you won’t have the chance to see the salt flats up-close and personal. Trust us when we say Badwater Basin should be one of the first places you visit in Death Valley.

Furnace Creek

This is a census-designated area that is located in Death Valley. It’s not a big place, and the population is around 30, but it is worth visiting from anywhere because it is a popular tourist attraction. There are a number of attractions and things to do around Furnace Creek, including several parks.

If you don’t want to visit the parks, then do a bit of camping or go golfing for a day. Also, there are many places to go camping and there are deserts throughout the area. Make sure to spend at least a few days in Furnace Creek, so you have time to do as many things as possible.

Dante’s View

If you want to be treated to some of the most breathtaking views of the area, then you’ll want to head up to Dante’s View. It’s located on Coffin Peak’s north side. Dante’s View sits at over 5,000 feet in height.

When you arrive at Dante’s View, you’ll be able to choose from several paths, with each bringing you to different parts of the View. One path leads to an area where there are picnic areas and another path brings you right to the edge of the View. If you enjoy stargazing, then head to Dante’s View at night.

Golden Canyon

Golden Canyon is one of the most impressive canyons in the area. The rock formations are impressive and the hike is easy enough for most people to do.Here’s a tip, bring plenty of water because temperatures can get high and the hike is a few miles long. Do bring your camera because the chances are you haven’t seen anything like the Golden Canyon before.

Those are the top Death Valley attractions, but do remember there are many other attractions in the area. It’s a good idea to spend at least a week or two if you go there because this will give you more time to see and do things. All you have to do now is book a trip to Death Valley and enjoy its many attractions.

4 Things You Didn’t Know About Death Valley National Park

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Keith

There are a number of national parks in the US, which can make it difficult to keep up with the facts on all of them. With that said, many people do not know much about Death Valley National Park. If you are a history buff, or you are just plain curious, here are some facts you may find quite interesting.

1. There Was An Actual Death Associated With It

While some people believed that the name of the place was about Death Valley National Park being excruciatingly hot sometimes, the name actually comes from the fact that someone actually died there. During the winter season of 1949-1850, there was a group of pioneers who became lost in the area. Even though only one person actually died, many thought that this would be the place where they took their last breath, hence the name.

2. The Entire Place Is Not Desolate

With a mysterious name, many people assume they know everything about Death Valley National Park. As a result, many mistakenly believe that the entire area is a barren wasteland, which is actually far from the truth. There are places that are below sea level and other points where the apex is more than 11,000 feet above sea level. There are also, sand dunes, hills and other interesting places to explore. It is not all one flat desert with nothing there.

As far as the area being barren, during the spring it is actually common for flowers to bloom. Some people head here during this time to take advantage of all the wildflowers that cover the area.

3. It Does Not Get Freezing Cold There

You would think that a place that has such high peaks would be arctic during the winter, but this is not true at all. The average temperature during a winter even hovers around 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not particularly warm weather, but it is not frigid either, so it is a great place to go hiking without worrying about freezing temperatures. Daytime temps are generally around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit, so hiking and exploring during the day is perfectly acceptable.

4. Many People Don’t Visit

Other national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite get a lot more visitors than this park, so this is a great location if you are looking to be in a place that is more secluded. It is common to hike for many miles without seeing another person, so it is considered the ideal location if your goal is to get away from everyone. Keep in mind that more people are starting to set their sights on this park, so it may not be unpopular for very long, so you should visit as soon as you can to take advantage of the solitude.

Death Valley National Park is a great place to explore and take advantage of seeing vast lands that are typically secluded. Now that you know more about this unique place, you should definitely add it to your list of places to visit.