Death Valley National Park, US: Discover Serenity Beneath The Heat

Death Valley National Park, US: Discover Serenity Beneath The Heat
Julia
Julia 
Published
| 4 min read

Death Valley National Park is located both in Nevada and California, it is a part of the Mojave Desert, an arid area of 124000 square meters (1.3 million square feet). Death Valley is the lowest zone of the Mojave Desert, located 282 feet (86 meters) below the sea level. Amongst the other deserts in North America, Death Valley is the “hottest, driest and lowest” area; it is a land of extremes, it holds the highest temperature ever recorded in the world, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius) in 1913. It is difficult to put words into what we feel when we arrive at Death Valley. This is an immense arid land, there is no traffic noise, no city sounds, just you, the heat and the silence. Even if the park is very hot, this trip refreshes your mind. You just feel good and there is nothing to think about except the beauty of the landscapes.

On the road!

death valley national park, us: discover serenity beneath the heat | on the road!

The park is divided into two valleys, Death Valley and Panamint Valley. With the immensity of the area and the extreme heat (especially in the summer), you probably won’t be able to see everything. When you go out of the car, the heat blows on your face like a hairdryer, it doesn’t allow you to stay outdoors for a long time. Every hotel has air-conditioning; it would not be possible to stay otherwise. While you drive, the landscape begins to change, more and more arid, not a human soul, and even the cars become scarce. It looks like another planet! There are many interesting sites in the park, such as Badwater, a lowland formed with salt and mud; the Dante’s view, offering a stunning panorama, the Mesquite Sand Dunes are located at the north of the valley and were used as locations for films such as Star Wars. The biggest dune is called Star dune.

Stop at Father Crowley Point, Panamint Valley

death valley national park, us: discover serenity beneath the heat | stop at father crowley point, panamint valley

Father Crowley Point is a viewpoint located at the west of the park, not far from the Panamint Springs resort, a small western-style resort hosting a gas station. This belvedere offers an oversight on the Panamint desert and its dryness. The place has been named as such after the death of Father Crowley. He was an Irishman who emigrated to the USA in the 20th century, did his seminary and started to serve in parishes in remote areas such as Death Valley. While he was coming back from a trip, he crossed a steer on the road, making him deviate and crash. It is a sad story but Father Crowley became a legend, and he was truly loved by the inhabitants of the surroundings.

Stay at the simple but adequate Stovepipe Wells

death valley national park, us: discover serenity beneath the heat | stay at the simple but adequate stovepipe wells

Stovepipe Wells is a small way station located at the north of the park. It hosts a hotel, built in 1925 in order to provide a stop for tourists. It is now a part of the California Historical Landmark; it also includes a gas station, a store and a restaurant. The small hotel includes classic rooms with air-conditioning, a swimming pool, which gives a bit of freshness in this lost land. The hotel is more expensive in the summer because of the tourist season. Standard rooms go from 150 USD to 160 USD per night, and it includes: television, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, a shower, a full bed and one twin bed. There is a restaurant called Toll Road where you can eat a classic burger with French fries. The hotel looks very simple but the remote area and the beauty of the surroundings make the place very special.

Go to the Sand Dunes located near Stovepipe Wells

death valley national park, us: discover serenity beneath the heat | go to the sand dunes located near stovepipe wells

The Sand Dunes are located less than 10 minutes away from Stovepipe Wells (with a car, going on foot would be too exhausting with the stifling heat). They are the most visited dunes in the park. We can understand why so many photographers come here; at sunset the colours are incredible, but the most remarkable thing is the silence. Not a noise, no traffic sounds, only the sound of the sand when it slides over the dunes. In this place you will feel peaceful. No problems, no routine, just the silence.

Fauna and flora keep surviving on the harsh land

fauna and flora keep surviving on the harsh land

Despite its name, Death Valley hosts many animals. More than 400 species have been classified, amongst them mostly birds. The Valley is a crossing point during the birds’ migration. The mammals living in the surroundings are lynx, foxes, coyotes; and there are reptiles, snakes and lizards, and very few fish. Even though the flora is rare, the ones that exist survive. Analysts count a thousand species of plants such as mesquite (the same name given to the Mesquite dunes), pines, grass pollen, ball bushes and others.

Plan your road trip to Death Valley cautiously

Visiting the park with a car is the best way to fully enjoy it, as you are free to move around, and the roads are in good condition. You will need a pass entrance to enter every national park in the USA, and the most cost-effective way is to buy the 80 USD annual pass, which gains you entry to every park in the United states. Otherwise, the Death Valley entrance fee per vehicle is 20 USD but it is only valid for 7 days.

Before heading up to the Death Valley National Park, buy an icebox and fill it with a lot of water, ice and some snacks. You should also fill the gas. It is important to not underestimate the extreme weather conditions especially during the summer: do not go too far from the car and don’t dehydrate. Take your hat, sunglasses and fill a bottle of water and you’re ready to go!

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hello, my name is Julia and I am a 21 year-old French student. I am in my first year of master in modern languages in which I learn English and Italian. I am currently living in Turin, Italy for an...Read more

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