Death Valley National Park Partially Reopens After Flooding
Death Valley National Park partially reopens
According to officials, while the CA-190 road is now open, allowing visitors to enter via Lone Pine and the Death Valley Junction entrance, all other entrances to the park remain closed.
Moreover, the deluge was the result of a tropical storm that slammed California and also temporarily closed Joshua Tree National Park.
“This was [the] longest closure in Death Valley National Park’s history,” Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds said in a statement. “I am excited to welcome people back to enjoy their park!”
Reynolds also said that now is a “really special time” to visit Death Valley. The reason is that the Badwater Basin currently features a miles-long temporary lake that will likely dry up in a few weeks. He added:
It’s pretty rare to see a lake in Death Valley!
About preparations to reopen
At this time, park officials have reopened the following roads:
- CA-190
- Badwater Road from CA-190 to the Badwater Basin
- Dantes View Road
- Artists Drive
- Twenty Mule Team Canyon Road
- Natural Bridge Road
- Mustard Canyon
- Mosaic Canyon Road
Meanwhile, visitors will now have access to lodging, fuel and food at Panamint Springs Resort. They will also have amenities at the Stovepipe Wells Village, the Oasis at Death Valley and at a number of NPS campgrounds. Moreover, the National Park Service said more park roads will be reopened as repairs continue.
While this was the longest-ever closure in the history of Death Valley, it isn’t the first time the park has been flooded. While Death Valley is known for being one of the hottest places on Earth, the park closed for a couple of weeks in August 2022, after receiving 1.45 inches of rain in one day.
Take time out to enjoy a visit to Death Valley National Park now it has partially reopened and at a time when the weather has cooled, at least a little!