Review:

Death Valley National Park is unique in that it lies below sea level, making it the hottest, lowest, and driest national park in America. Despite its morbid-sounding name, the park is surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, huge desert sand dunes, and small but verdant oases that provide a wide diversity of habitats.

A good place to start your visit is the Furnace Creek Visitors’ Center (video), where you can watch an orientation movie and get maps and info. You can go on a ranger-guided tour or set off to explore the 3.4-million-acre area on foot, by bicycle, car, or Jeep. Scenic drives include the Twenty Mule Team Canyon and two of the best viewpoints are at Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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