Death Valley National Park
Just For Kids
Death Valley National Park has a host of activities to entice visitors of all ages—including programs just for kids. Visiting the park presents a great opportunity to have fun and learn something about the biology, geology and history that's all around you. If you want to learn all you can about Death Valley National Park, then:
Become a Junior Ranger
Young people are eligible to become junior rangers. You can pick up the junior ranger packet at the front desk of the visitor center, complete the fun activities inside and receive a free Death Valley junior ranger badge. The badge is a replica of the National Park Service badge with features specific to Death Valley. Junior Ranger patches are also available upon completion of the junior ranger activities at park bookstores for a small fee.
Explore Death Valley
Death Valley National Park is full of vast and incredible geology. Convince mom and dad to take you on an extraordinary tour that you'll never forget. You'll find colorful cliffs, sliding stones and eerie salt flats. See "Sights to See" on pages 30—37 of this guide for ideas and directions. Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints.
Slide Down a Sand Dune
Although sand dunes make up only a small percent of this desert, the ones you find at Death Valley will put any sandbox you've played in to shame! Don't leave the park until you have tromped and tumbled down the 100-foot dunes at Mesquite Flat. Tell your parents the sand dunes are about two miles east of Stovepipe Wells Village—23 miles northwest of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center—on Highway 190.
Become a Web Ranger
Want to bring national park fun to your computer? Learn more about national parks and help plan your trip by visiting www.nps.gov/webrangers/ home.htm. Explore the parks in a whole new way as you play interactive and educational games on the web.
Take a Trip Back in Time
Want to learn about Death Valley's most popular destination? Join National Park Rangers for an unusual and entertaining tour of Scotty's Castle. Learn everything there is to know about the extraordinary building (which is neither a castle nor Scotty's—find out why!) Tours are $11 for adults and $6 for children. Call (760) 786-2392 for more information. Scotty's Castle is located on Route 5 in the northern part of the park.
Death Valley In Depth
News from the Parks
Local Tourism Will Get Boost from Historic Site
October 9, 2008 - 3:47pm
The Auburn-Opelika area is expected to get a boost in tourism from the opening of a completely redesigned Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service just down I-85 from Auburn in the nearby city of Tuskegee.
October 9, 2008 - 3:47pm
The Auburn-Opelika area is expected to get a boost in tourism from the opening of a completely redesigned Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service just down I-85 from Auburn in the nearby city of Tuskegee.
Visitors Flock to Sandburg Home for Poetry, Goats and Hiking Trails
October 9, 2008 - 3:37pm
When the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established 40 years ago, the mission was to preserve legacy and literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sandburg. His modest home was kept intact with all the furnishings, magazines and newspapers in place when Sandburg died in 1967. National Park Service staff designed interpretive tours of the home, and public programs were given at the dairy goat farm that Sandburg's wife, Lilian, operated.
October 9, 2008 - 3:37pm
When the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was established 40 years ago, the mission was to preserve legacy and literary works of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sandburg. His modest home was kept intact with all the furnishings, magazines and newspapers in place when Sandburg died in 1967. National Park Service staff designed interpretive tours of the home, and public programs were given at the dairy goat farm that Sandburg's wife, Lilian, operated.
Long Road Ahead
October 9, 2008 - 3:33pm
As C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt spoke to a small crowd gathered to learn about the breach in the canal's towpath on Saturday morning, Oct. 4, some late stragglers to the gathering walked down a temporary staircase to the muddy canal bottom and made their way past the gaping crater in the canal wall. "Holy moly," one man exclaimed as he walked past the jagged cavity filled with twisting tree roots, chicken wire and trickling water roped off by yellow caution tape.
October 9, 2008 - 3:33pm
As C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt spoke to a small crowd gathered to learn about the breach in the canal's towpath on Saturday morning, Oct. 4, some late stragglers to the gathering walked down a temporary staircase to the muddy canal bottom and made their way past the gaping crater in the canal wall. "Holy moly," one man exclaimed as he walked past the jagged cavity filled with twisting tree roots, chicken wire and trickling water roped off by yellow caution tape.
Canyon Victim from Scottsdale
October 9, 2008 - 3:29pm
A man who died after falling 250 feet into the Grand Canyon has been identified as a Scottsdale resident, the Associated Press reported.
October 9, 2008 - 3:29pm
A man who died after falling 250 feet into the Grand Canyon has been identified as a Scottsdale resident, the Associated Press reported.
Funk Search Taking Toll on Family
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm
Although it has been 10 days and counting, family members of 49-year-old Earl Funk, missing in Shenandoah National Park since Sept. 29, are still hoping the lifelong woodsman will be found alive.
October 9, 2008 - 2:57pm
Although it has been 10 days and counting, family members of 49-year-old Earl Funk, missing in Shenandoah National Park since Sept. 29, are still hoping the lifelong woodsman will be found alive.
