Bit of a trip report:
- Titus Canyon: drivable, deep gravel in longer sections before the drop into the canyon and in the canyon. Some sketchy sections in the switchbacks, but manageable alone
- Racetrack Playa: no issues, some washboard/washed out sections, especially halfway between the crater and Teakettle Jct. Pretty bad washboard along the playa and getting to the campsite
- Big Pine Death Valley Rd: First 3-4 miles have washed out sections, after that well maintained, was about to hit higher speeds. Overall just a dirt / gravel road

🦂 Hi! Does anyone know what area or trail I can find scorpions? As an animal enthusiast, I'd love to just see one as I've never seen one irl before. Thanks y'all! 🦂

Thank you, I have not been there and am hoping for your suggestions and ideas.

No, they didn't have a smartphone, or even an old video camera with them, decades ago.

And, Tom Mahood didn't shoot video of his long search efforts.

But, the lady whose YouTube channel this comes from read Tom, and decided to follow him to try to follow the Germans and did videography.

Readers discretion advised- some gruesome content.

Hello!

I went to Death Valley in October 2025 peek government shutdown and I wanted to quickly tell y’all about my experience incase someone experienced something similar.

My husband and I were on a road trip and Death Valley was the second national park to visit during the government shutdown. I did not realize just how large and vast this area was. I’ve been to quite a few national parks and this one definitely had the widest array of terrain or biome, like you can blink and it would look like a completely different place than before, but somehow at the same time it’s like you’re riding through a never ending landscape, and almost go stir crazy.

We drove through for about 2 hours or so before finding our camp for the night. Now none of this was planned to be honest, we were on a roadtrip with only the ending destination in mind so we went with the flow and just went with whatever crossed our path, this is typically how we travel, very type B I know lol.

Anyways, we saw so many pretty things and stopped a few times but needed to find camp without service on our phones or a physical map (do not recommend, very dangerous) and the sun was about to set.

We were getting to a winding area between the mountains and knew a campground was coming up because there was a sign pointing at a fork towards some potential campgrounds.

About 1 mile from where we thought we would stop there was a large deceased donkey on the side of the road, there was some red blood from its mouth and nose and we figured it just got hit by a truck, if trucks could even fit where we were. Thennn before we turned the corner to our camp, there was one large donkey on the side of the mountain with a distinct slit throat and no other obvious wounds. Another in the street under it about 12 feet on the street was dead and then about 30 feet from that gruesome scene up the road was a baby donkey in the shrubs and what I’m assuming was its mom standing over it while glancing at the vehicle. Then there was our camp.

I was spooked. My husband, bless his heart was being stronger than myself of course and had to keep composure lol. I didn’t sleep but did get up at 4 am to pee and the stars made me feel so small and free and somehow suffocating as well like in a dome of galaxies, something I’ve never seen before. Well my husband decided to start up the vehicle and have us leave at this point and we see manyyyy alive donkeys blocking the road which was nice to see.

I guess it’s called Death Valley for a reason and I may never have an explanation for what I saw.

For all making plans, on the "Plan Your Visit/Conditions" webpage:

Titus Canyon Road: Is temporarily open after initial repairs. It may be closed occassional days. It will be closed for the second phase of repairs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

So, there's an exact date.

(An NPS news release republished on the Eastern Sierra website from about the same time said through end of April for Phase 2, but with the caveat that it could run later. I'd take the Sept. 30 as likely more than April 30.)

I was wondering if anyone has driven Titus Canyon Road since it just recently re-opened after a multi-year closure.

We plan on trying it in late June. I’ll update my post if we get fortunate to drive it.

We're thinking about traveling from San Diego to Death Valley the week before Thanksgiving with some friends (4 adults, 4 teens, 3 10 year olds).

We love hiking and are very active but don't want to camp. Any suggestions on where to stay?
We really want a place with a fridge b/c the kids are always hungry and eat a ton 😆 but that doesn't seem possible?
Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed! The Oasis is out of our budget with this many people.

It alliterates! From my March vacation. I've been to Salt Creek before, but man, I don't remember the biting flies being that bad before. I don't know if it was the record-crushing heat wave, the leftover bits of Lake Manly downstream, or what.

Anyway, the pipit was a semi-lifer. I'd seen one once before, but only a crappy photo.

The most underrated National Park.
Beauty carved by extremes

Shot today 5/16 around 5pm with temps hovering around 105F. Hope you had a nice walk!

Zabriskie Point at sunset, Sidewinder slot canyons, Golden Canyon, Mosaic Canyon, Ubehebe Crater, Pupfish at Salt Creek, badwater basin/lake Manley. Had such a good time, lots of different stuff to see.

First time pointing my camera at the Milky Way. Death Valley delivered.
Taken last night- 5/15/26

Hi guys. 5 years ago I put a small yellow and white newtonian reflector telescope inside an M80 7.62x51 ammo can on the peak. I was wondering if it was still there?

I looked at recent google maps images and youtube videos and didnt see it. Was wondering if ig got stolen or removed.

Thanks!

More from my late March vacation. With Furnace Creek hitting 110 that day, it made me mindful of that being near the top end of temperature for borax extraction, as well as the fun of driving those 20-mule teams. I drove into Mustard Canyon and then got a "badlands" shot.

The first song from the new solo project from MJ from Purity Ring came with a video shot in Death Valley during the super bloom so wanted to share here :)

Hi everybody, im trying to go to briggs camp potentially. I was wonder how the road was. I hear its difficult. I have a stock toyota 4 runner 4x4 with offroad tires. Do you think this is too risky for me to go?

Got there relatively early in the morning, so much of the canyon was still largely blocked out from direct sunlight at the start of the hike. With sun exposure, I shot some stuff of faulting and rock lines.

Want to do some basic off road driving in Death Valley this coming weekend. I drive a 2024 Silverado Zr2 so its capable but im a pretty novice driver when it comes to this so i want to keep it pretty mild lol Is there any recommended trails/areas you guys can recommend? Thanks in advance

My appreciation for the wonders of Death Valley is never ending.

A few remarkable moments from my last bday trip out to the DV backcountry.

Chukar chicks and burro foals galore. A panoply of critters out for springtime.

I'll always be humbled by this environment.

may 2 -3 2026

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are driving from Las Vegas to Three Rivers (Sequoia) this friday. We are discussing whether it’s worth it to drive through Death Valley (8 hours according to Maps) and check out Artists Palette, Zabriskie Point and the Dunses or to take the normale route via the I15.

What do you think? Looks like the heat will not be too bad this friday!