Death Valley, located in the southwestern United States, was declared a national monument in 1933 by President Hoover. It became a national park in 1994 when the Desert Protection Act passed into law. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction that boasts many hiking trails and camping areas. There are also several tours available to explore Death Valley's attractions.
The Death Valley National Park is spread over 3 million acres. The Badwater Basin area extends to 282 feet below sea level and the top of Telescope Peak is as high as 11,049 feet.
Overnight and daytime temperatures in the summer are usually around 90 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Winter and spring temperatures are more mild.
The average rainfall for the Death Valley floor is less than 2 inches per year. However, the average evaporation rate is about 128 inches per year.
Despite its hostile environment, Death Valley supports approximately 300 bird species, 50 different mammals, and over 30 species of reptiles. Many of these animals are nocturnal.
Death Valley hosts many varieties of plants, such as desert holly, mesquite and creosote bush at the lower elevations. The higher elevations support flora such as blackbrush, Joshua trees and even pine trees.
