Death Valley National Park California

It may be the hottest and driest place in North America, but that doesn’t stop nearly 1 million people from visiting the beautiful Death Valley National Park every year. Despite its ominous name, there’s a great diversity of life forms (and fun activities) in Death Valley. This park, which straddles the border of California and Nevada, is an adventurer’s dream.

Death Valley is made up of 1.3 million hectares of desert landscapes, lush forests and rugged cliffs. The varying climates make this park a land of extremes and contrasts. The towering peaks are frosted with snowfall, while the lower elevations are covered in rolling sand dunes. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers, and the occasional oases harbor tiny fish and other wildlife. The tranquil desert, awesome geologic formations, sand dunes, salt flats and desert also make this a prime destination for landscape photographers. And there are plenty of ways to experience the gorgeous landscape, including hiking, horseback riding, biking and climbing.