Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park was initially established as a monument in February of 1933 and later designated as a National Park in October of 1994. The park covers a total area of 3,373,063 acres in the states of California and Nevada. The closest cities to the park include Beatty in Nevada and Lone Pine, California. There are several routes that you can take to get to the park. 

You can use the I-15 that passes southeast and connects with CA 127. You could also use US 395 that passes west of Death Valley and connects with CA 178 and CA 190 to the park. Alternatively, you could use US 95 that passes east and connects with NV 373, 374, and 267 to the park.

Several special features make Death Valley National Park popular with its visitors. First, the park is the largest national park unit outside of Alaska that encompasses over 3 million acres of wilderness. This wilderness area is comprised of a large desert surrounded by the highest mountains and is contrasted by the lowest point in the western hemisphere. 

The Death Valley National Park also has some historical sites including Scotty's Castle, the grandiose home of a famous prospector. There are of course several other recreational activities that you can enjoy at this national park including horseback riding, bicycling, interpretive programs, hiking, camping, auto touring, and swimming.

Although dogs are allowed into Death Valley National Park, you must strictly follow park regulations including always keeping your dog in a secure enclosure, always attending to your dog and keeping your dog on a leash no longer than six feet long. Additionally, you must clean up after your dog and properly get rid of your dog’s solid waste. 

If you want to take your dog on a walk, you must avoid wilderness areas and along most trails and back country roads. You can take your dog into campgrounds, along most other roads, and to picnic areas. All these rules and restrictions are meant to keep wildlife, visitor’s and even your pet safe and at the same time also protect the parks natural resources. You should, therefore, ensure that you strictly observe the rules of the park.