ABOUT THIS BOOK

Originally published in 1995, soon after Death Valley National Park became the fifty-third park in the US park system, The Explorer’s Guide to Death Valley National Park was the first complete guidebook available for this spectacular area.

Now in its fourth edition, this is still the only book that includes all aspects of the park. Much more than just a guidebook, it covers the park’s cultural history, botany and zoology, hiking and biking opportunities, and more. Information is provided for all of Death Valley’s visitors, from first-time travelers just learning about the area to those who are returning for in-depth explorations.

This new edition features a number of important changes—including information on the boundary and wilderness changes that resulted from the Dingell Act of 2019, the reopened Keane Wonder Mine area, the devastating flash flooding of Scotty’s Castle, scenic river designations, the Inn and Ranch resorts, renovated and now operated as the Oasis at Death Valley—as well as new maps and updated color photos. With extensive input from National Park Service resource management, law enforcement, and interpretive personnel, as well as a thorough bibliography for suggested reading, The Explorer’s Guide to Death Valley National Park, Fourth Edition is the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive guide available for this national treasure.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

T. Scott Bryan was an employee of the National Park Service from 1970 through 1986, which included time as a park geologist in Death Valley and as a ranger-naturalist in Yellowstone. In addition to his interest in all aspects of Death Valley, he has studied geysers and has been to geyser fields throughout the contiguous United States, Mexico, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Valley of Geysers on the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia, leading the first-ever US study group there in 1991.

Betty Tucker-Bryan is the founder of the Death Valley Hikers Association and the California section of the Desert Trail Association. She has written numerous books and articles on the outdoors.

REVIEWS

Praise for the second edition
“Everything one needs to know (but was afraid to ask) about Death Valley is included in this book: history, culture, geology, flora, fauna, and climate are more than adequately explained; visitor uses such as bicycling, hiking, backpacking, exploration, recreation, and educational needs are identified; and trip routes and road logs are included in minute detail for the reader. This excellent book is for the traveler to Death Valley, the frequent visitor to national parks, and the general reader interested in the rich and diverse heritage of the United States.”
—Colonial Latin American Historical Review

Praise for the first edition
“The Explorer’s Guide to Death Valley National Park is the first complete guide to cover the entire park region, from the habitats and lifestyles of wildlife in the area to backpacking trips, short day walks, and full-length hikes. From warnings of dangers to local attractions, this covers much ground.”
—Midwest Book Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

List of Maps and Tables

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Death Valley National Park and Vicinity

Part I. Geological, Human, and Natural History

1. Geologic History

2. Native American Cultures

3. Explorers, Prospectors, and Miners

4. Tourism and the National Park

5. Plantlife

6. Wildlife

Part II. The Death Valley Environment

7. The Desert Environment: Climate, Precautions, and Regulations for Explorers of Death Valley

Part III. Exploring Death Valley National Park By Foot and Bicycle

8. Hiking and Backpacking in Death Valley

9. Bicycling in Death Valley

Part IV. Trip Route Road Logs

10. An Introduction to the “Trip Route” Road Logs

11. Southern Death Valley

12. South-Central Death Valley

13. Eastern Areas and Amargosa Valley

14. North-Central Death Valley

15. Western Areas, including the “Wildrose Country”

16. Panamint Valley Areas

17. Northern Death Valley

18. Big Pine Road and Eureka Valley

19. Racetrack Valley and Hunter Mountain

20. Saline Valley Road, including Lee Flat

21. Nevada Triangle

Appendix A. Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Death Valley

Appendix B. Railroads of Death Valley

Appendix C. Visitor Services and Activities in and near Death Valley National Park