It's always been a hot destination, so we couldn't be more stoked to include an adventure to this cool national park. See below for some interesting facts that will leave you wanting to take the trip of a lifetime to Death Valley!
1. Death Valley is the largest national park in the Lower 48
Coming in at a whopping more than 3.4 million acres, Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the Lower 48.
2. Furnace Creek holds the world’s hottest temperature record
The highest recorded temperature in the world was recorded in Death Valley’s Furnace Creek at 134 Fahrenheit in July 1913. For almost one hundred years, a false recording made in Libya overshadowed Furnace Creek’s claim to fame. In 2012, however, the record went back to Death Valley after it was concluded that the Libyan recording was made in error.
3. Death Valley is the driest place in the United States
Death Valley is the driest place in the country. In 1929, there was not a single drop of rain recorded in Death Valley.
4. Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America
Death Valley is home to the country’s lowest point, Badwater Basin, which lies at 282 feet below sea level.
5. Death Valley sits near the tallest peak in the Lower 48
Death Valley is only 76 miles from the highest point in the country, Mt. Whitney, which tops out at an elevation of 14,505 feet. In other words, the lowest and highest points in the contiguous U.S. are less than 100 miles apart!
6. Wildlife and wildflowers thrive in Death Valley National Park
Life abounds in Death Valley! The Park is home to more than 1000 species of plants (including 50 that are found nowhere else in the world), 300 species of birds, 51 species of mammals (including bighorn sheep and mountain lions), 36 species of reptiles and a handful of amphibian and fish species.
7. People have called Death Valley home for thousands of years
Humans are also fond of Death Valley. Archaeologists have found evidence of the human presence in Death Valley that dates back at least 9,000 years! The Timbisha Shoshone Native American Tribe has inhabited Death Valley for the past 1,000 years.
8. Death Valley has inspired artists for over 1,000 years
Artists have been working in Death Valley for over 1000 years. People from the Saratoga Spring Culture left some of the area's earliest recorded art on the canyon walls. Artists from all over the world still flock to capture the National Park’s picturesque landscapes.
9. Death Valley ghost towns tell stories of mining days
Not only have artists flocked here over the centuries, but a variety of mines and way-stations have come and gone since the mid-1800s. Most have disappeared to time, but a few ghost towns still exist along with their stories of hauntings.
10. February is one of the best times to visit Death Valley
February is a fine time to visit! The average high temperature in February is 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low is 46 degrees Fahrenheit – a perfect range for an active adventure vacation! February is also typically the wettest month. On average, it sees .51 inches of rainfall!
Interested in experiencing this stunning landscape of extremes? You're not alone! Check out our Death Valley adventure vacation. Email info@austinadventures.com or call our adventure travel consultants if you have any questions!
