Discover Death Valley: Landscape and History

Death Valley combines striking landforms with historic sites and a variety of ways to explore the outdoors. When looking for a hotel in Death Valley, first consider whether landscapes, hiking, or culture will be the focus of your trip. In Death Valley National Park, there’s a wide range of things to explore, from dramatic elevation changes to stories of borax and mining.

Landscape and Nature in Death Valley

Telescope Peak rises 11,049 feet above sea level. It is 15 miles from the lowest point of Badwater Basin, which lies 282 feet below sea level and is the lowest point in North America. These two elevations bring the landscape’s contrasts to life without requiring you to follow a particular route.

The geological formations also differ markedly: Ubehebe Crater is a volcanic crater that is 600 feet deep and half a mile wide. The Racetrack, by contrast, is a dry lakebed known for its moving rocks. The sand dunes in Death Valley National Park are ideal for nature watching and recreation; sandboarding is permitted at Mesquite Sand Dunes. Check conditions before you go.

Nature reveals itself after dark, too. Much of the night sky above the park’s desert floor remains nearly pristine. The plant life is also diverse: Death Valley is home to more than 1,000 plant species, 11 of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The landforms, plants, and night sky can appeal to different interests at a single destination.

History and Cultural Heritage

Death Valley National Park is part of the ancestral homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone. Another part of the area’s history is visible at Harmony Borax Works: the site began processing ore in late 1883 or early 1884 and ceased operations in 1888.

A paved, self-guided 1/4-mile loop trail runs through the ruins of Harmony Borax Works. Surface conditions may change. The Harmony Borax Works Ranger Walk explores the history of borax and mining; the easy hike follows a paved 1/3-mile trail. Ranger Walk dates are seasonal and may change. The loop trail and ranger program offer two different ways to learn about the site and its history.

The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns comprise ten beehive-shaped masonry structures about 25 feet tall. Scotty’s Castle offers a glimpse into life during the “Roaring ’20s” and the “Depression ’30s.” Check official closure notices before visiting.

Hiking and Getting Around

Hiking options in the Golden Canyon area range from easy walks to challenging outings. The “Golden Canyon Hike” ranger program is an easy hike of approximately 3/4 mile; dates are seasonal and may change. The NPS reopening announcement of February 11, 2026, describes the Salt Creek Boardwalk as a wheelchair-accessible trail providing easy access to observe the Salt Creek pupfish.

Several paved highways run through Death Valley National Park, but many side attractions require driving on unpaved roads. The park has more than 785 miles of roads in total, including hundreds of miles suitable for mountain biking. Reaching The Racetrack area normally requires good tires, four-wheel drive, and high ground clearance. Road conditions and closures can change; check current advisories before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Olancha, Big Pine, Tecopa, Kearsarge, Independence, Death Valley Junction, Stovepipe Wells, Bishop.

For the broader travel overview: Inyo.