Death Valley National Park Partially Reopens After Historic Closure

Reopening of Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park has partially reopened, allowing visitors to return after its longest-ever closure. The park, which is located in both California and Nevada, has reopened the CA-190 road. This access enables travelers to enter the park from the west via Lone Pine and from the east via the Death Valley Junction entrance, according to the National Park Service. However, all other park entrances remain closed.

Impact of Recent Flooding

The park’s closure began in August after experiencing more than 2 inches of rain in a single day. This rainfall was unusual, as it surpasses the average annual precipitation for the area. The flooding it caused resulted in washed-away trails, damaged pavement, and roads filled with gravel.

This substantial rainfall stemmed from a tropical storm that impacted California and had temporarily closed Joshua Tree National Park as well.

Rare Natural Features

“This was the longest closure in Death Valley National Park’s history,” Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds stated. “I am excited to welcome people back to enjoy their park!” He emphasized that it is a “really special time” to visit because Badwater Basin currently features a miles-long temporary lake, which is expected to dry up in the coming weeks.

“It’s pretty rare to see a lake in Death Valley!” Reynolds commented.

Travel Access and Amenities

To facilitate the park’s reopening, the National Park Service reported major repairs to several paved roads, including CA-190. However, travelers should remain cautious of loose gravel, reduced speed limits, and potential traffic delays. The park currently has reopened several key routes, including:

• CA-190
• Badwater Road from CA-190 to Badwater Basin
• Dantes View Road
• Twenty Mule Team Canyon Road
• Artists Drive
• Natural Bridge Road
• Mustard Canyon
• Mosaic Canyon Road

Additionally, travelers can access lodging, food, and fuel at the Panamint Springs Resort, Stovepipe Wells Village, the Oasis at Death Valley, and various NPS campgrounds.

The NPS anticipates that more park roads will reopen as repair work continues.

Historical Context of Flooding

This isn’t the first occurrence of flooding in Death Valley. The park, known for being one of the hottest places on Earth, faced a similar situation last year, when it closed for several weeks in August after receiving 1.46 inches of rainfall in just one day.