Death Valley National Park lies in the hot and dry, Death Valley. The park contains some beautiful and dramatic scenery, and well as old remnants from the historic Harmony Borax Works.
This is the largest of California's state parks. The desert landscape includes cacti, canyons, dunes, and alluvial land, which supports a variety of wildlife.
The shallow, saltwater lake of Badwater is known for its low elevation, at 85 m below sea level, making it the lowest point of land in the western hemisphere.
Brawley (pop. 18,923) is located in the Imperial Valley. It is a cattle-raising center.
Sand Dunes in Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Brawley.
Address: Brawley Chamber of Commerce, 204 South Imperial Avenue, Box 218, Brawley, CA 92227-0218, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 344-3160, Fax: 1 (760) 344-7611
About 20 miles east of Brawley are the Algodones Dunes. The dunes are a great place for recreation including off road activities.
Sand Dunes in Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Brawley.
Address: Bureau of Land Management - California, El Centro Field Office, 1661 South 4th Street, El Centro, CA 92243-4561, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 337-4400, Fax: 1 (760) 337-4490
The Desert Tortoise Natural Area is a 25,000 acre wildlife preserve. It was created to protect the habitat of the desert tortoise.
Address: Maturango Museum / Desert Tortoise Natural Area, 100 East Las Flores Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555-3654, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 375-6900, Fax: 1 (760) 375-0479
Tips: The best time for viewing is morning and late afternoons from March to June.
Marta Becket's Amargosa Opera House hosts dance-mime performances created by Marta Becket. Marta began work on the old theater in 1968 and opened in 1972.
Address: Marta Becket's Amargosa Opera House, Box 8, Death Valley Junction, CA 92328-0008, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 852-4441, Fax: 1 (760) 852-4138
Hours:
October 7 to May 12: 7pm-am; Sun:2pm-am; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Desert Hot Springs (pop. 11,668) is a health resort north of Palm Springs. It is internationally famous for natural hot mineral water and underground aquifers of pure cold water.
Address: Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, 11-711 West Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240-3698, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 329-6403, Fax: 1 (760) 329-2833
El Centro (pop. 31,384) is located 86mi/138km east of San Diego in the Imperial Valley. The Navy's Blue Angels flying team does its winter training at nearby Naval Air Facility.
Address: El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 1095 South 4th Street, Box 3006, El Centro, CA 92244-3006, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 352-3681, Fax: 1 (760) 352-3426
Rancho Mirage was discovered during the Gold Rush of the 1800s. The town is now home to three world-class resorts and three hotels as well as fine restaurants, and home furnishing and design centers.
Address: Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, 42-464 Rancho Mirage Lane, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270-2853, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 568-9351, Fax: 1 (760) 779-9684
The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage features hands-on exhibits with a bakery, science lab and radio station for the kids.
Address: Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, 71-701 Gerald Ford Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270-4312, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 321-0602, Fax: 1 (760) 321-1605
Hours:
January 1 to April 30: 10am-5pm
May 1 to December 31: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Tips: Toddler area. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Red Rock Canyon State Park features spectacular desert cliffs, buttes and rock formations. The park is located at the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada. Wildlife within Red Rock includes roadrunners, hawks, lizards, mice and squirrels.
Last Chance Canyon is located in the El Paso Mountains near Ridgecrest. It features archaeological sites with rock art and villages. The canyon runs through Red Rock State Park.
Covered Wagon Tours provide an authentic pioneer experience in covered wagons drawn by mule as a guide describes the area history and flora. After the tour, travelers enjoy a BBQ cookout and live Western entertainment.
Address: Covered Wagon Tours, Box 1106, La Quinta, CA 92253-1106, United States
Phone: 1 (760) 347-2161, Fax: 1 (760) 775-7570
Tips: Last tour begins 2 hours before dusk.
Admission includes tour and BBQ dinner.
The Fort Yuma Quechan Museum has displays about North American culture, the early military era and Spanish expeditions. Nearby are the old St. Thomas Mission and old Methodist Indian Mission.
Hours:
8am-5pm; Sat:1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
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Death Valley National Park
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Death Valley
Death Valley National Park
Palm Springs
Joshua Tree National Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Zabriskie Point
Badwater
