Driving through Death Valley National Park

Despite the forbidding name, Death Valley is a beautiful area of desert wonders and one of the top national parks in the United States.

Sand dunes, salt flats, mountains, craters, and the lowest lake in North America make for some of the most spectacular and dramatic scenery in the Southwest.

The valley, protected as a national park, covers 3,000 square miles and is known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest point in North America. Roadside lookouts offer stunning panoramas, and hiking trails allow easy access to the terrain.

The main service center in the park is the centrally located Furnace Creek, where you'll find the park visitor center, campgrounds, restaurants, a store, gas station, and the Furnace Creek Resort.

On the west side of the park, is Panamint Springs, with a restaurant, gas station, and some limited accommodation. This is a convenient stop if you are entering the park from the west side and a good lunch option if you are visiting Father Crowley Point and Darwin Falls, the two main attractions on this side of the valley.