Hottest, Driest, Lowest: A superlative desert of streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicolored rock layers, water-fluted canyons and three million acres of stone wilderness. Home to the Timbisha Shoshone and to plants and animals unique to the harshest deserts. A place of legend and a place of trial. Death Valley.
The Basics
Hours:
VISITOR CENTERS AND MUSEUMS
Scotty's Castle Visitor Center and Museum
Open Summer 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone (760) 786-2392
Location Scotty's Castle and the Scotty's Castle Visitor Center are located at the north end of Death Valley National Park 53 miles from Furnace Creek and approximately 45 miles from Stovepipe Wells Village. From U.S. Route 95, 154 miles north of Las Vegas, it is 26 miles to Scotty's Castle on Nevada State Route 267.
Special Programs The highlight of a visit to Scotty's Castle is the 50 minute long guided living history tour of the interior of the main house. The tours are first- come-first-served on the day of the tour. Tickets are available at the Castle Ticket Office during the winter months and at the Visitor Center during the summer. A self-guiding tour of the Castle grounds is available. Check at the Castle Ticket Office for information and guide booklet.
Exhibits The Scotty's Castle Visitor Center contains exhibits and interactive displays from the Castle Museum Collection. Exhibits cover the fascinating history of the Castle with special emphasis on the two personalities Death Valley Scotty and Albert M. Johnson.
Available Facilities During the summer season, from April through October, the Visitor Center serves as the ticket office for guided tours of Scotty's Castle. The Death Valley Natural History Association operates a book sales outlet in the Visitor Center. The Association makes available books and information on the story of Scotty's Castle and general information on Death Valley. Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates a sandwich shop and gift shop on the Castle grounds, and also operates a gasoline station during the day.
Beatty Information Center
Open All Year
Phone (775) 553-2200
Location Beatty Information Center is located in the town of Beatty, Nevada on the U.S. Route 95 approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. Beatty is one of the eastern portals to Death Valley National Park.
Exhibits The Beatty Information Center has exhibits about Death Valley natural history, cultural history, and scenic highlights.
Available Facilities The Beatty Information Center has general information on all aspects of Death Valley and visiting Death Valley. There is an outlet of the Death Valley Natural History Association providing a wide range of materials on park history, wildlife, and scenic highlights.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center & Museum
Open Open All Year 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Phone (760) 786-3200
Location The visitor center is located in the Furnace Creek resort area on California highway 190. Furnace Creek is 30 miles from Death Valley Junction to the east, and 24 miles from Stovepipe Wells Village to the north and west.
Special Programs A 12 minute long introductory slide program is shown every 30 minutes. During the winter season, November through March, rangers present a wide variety of walks, talks, and slide presentations about Death Valley cultural and natural history.
Exhibits The visitor center has displays dealing with the geology, climate, wildlife and natural history of the park. There are also specific sections dealing with the human history and pioneer experience.
Available Facilities The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the main visitor information source for the park. There is a fully staffed information desk with information on all aspects of the park and it's operation. The Death Valley Natural History Association maintains a well stocked book sales outlet specifically geared towards the natural and cultural history of the park.
Death Valley National Park is transected from east to west by California Highway 190. On the east in Nevada, U.S. Route 95 parallels the park from north to south with connecting highways at Scotty's Junction (State Route 267), Beatty (State Route 374), and Lathrop Wells (State Route 373). South of the park, Interstate 15 passes through Baker, California on its way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. State Route 127 travels north from Baker to Shoshone and Death Valley Junction with connections to the park on State Route 178 from Shoshone and connection with California Highway 190 at Death Valley Junction.
Climate
Death Valley is generally sunny, dry, and clear throughout the year. The winters, November through March, are mild with occasional winter storms, but summers are extremely hot and dry. Summer high temperatures commonly run above 120° Fahrenheit. Comfortable clothing providing sun protection and a broad brimmed hat are recommended in summer. Winter requires warmer clothing and light to medium jackets. Sturdy walking shoes are important year round.
Reservations for the Furnace Creek Campground and group sites are now available by calling 1-877-444-6777 or by going online at http://www.recreation.gov.
All other National Park campgrounds are first-come-first-served.
Generator hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise posted. These hours are chosen to accommodate the needs of the wide variety of people who use Death Valley's campgrounds. Generators are prohibited in Texas Spring Campground.
Campsites are limited to no more than eight people and two vehicles or one recreational vehicle per site. Larger groups wishing to camp together can reserve the group sites at the Furnace Creek Campground. The two group sites are limited to a maximum of 40 people and 10 vehicles each. No recreational vehicles may be parked at the group sites.
Pets: There is a maximum limit of 4 pets per campsite and pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.
Pet feces in campgrounds, campsites, lawns, walkways, access roads, and around public buildings must be disposed of in a trash bin by the person responsible for the pet.
Campfires: All vegetation in the park is protected. Firewood and charcoal are available at the Furnace Creek General Store, or you can bring your own supply. Fire pits or grates are provided at Furnace Creek, Texas Spring, and most of our other campgrounds. See the campground table above for specifics.
RVs: The National Park Service campgrounds do not provide hookups for recreational vehicles. RV hookups are only available at the concession-run Stovepipe Wells RV Park and the privately owned Panamint Springs resort.
Camping Limits: Furnace Creek Campground has a limit of 14 days per calendar year. The rest of Death Valley National Park has a 30-day per calendar year camping limit.
