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Furnace Creek Campground Temporary Closure
Furnace Creek Campground will be CLOSED for construction starting April 16, 2013. Texas Springs Campground will remain open for summer camping in the Furnace Creek Area. More »
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Scotty's Castle Fire Closure
Due to a fire at Scotty's Castle on May 20, the Scotty's Castle Visitor Center is closed, tours are cancelled, and power and phones are out. The road through Grapevine Canyon is closed. The castle will be closed for several days.
Cacti / Desert Succulents
Pineapple Cactus, Joshua Tree and Cholla
The Mojave Desert is rich with cacti and succulent species, yet in Death Valley National Park they are scarce due to the extremes of heat, dryness and soil salinity. Even so, cactus grow from an elevation of 400 feet above sea level to the summits of the surrounding mountains. The cactus species most commonly seen are cottontop barrel, silver cholla, and beavertail cactus. Engelmann hedgehog cactus are locally abundant above 3000 feet elevation. Grizzly bear pricklypear is the most common species in the pinyon-juniper woodlands. Joshua trees--the indicator species of the Mojave Desert--are found in only a few locations here. The Lee Flat area contains the finest stand in the park. In contrast to other succulent species, pickleweed is very salt-tolerant and can be found in marshy areas below sea level. Barrel Cactus
Hedgehog Cactus
Pincushion Cactus
Pricklypear Cactus
Cholla Cactus
Yuccas
Other Succulents
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Did You Know?
In 1917, Death Valley recorded 52 days with temperatures over 120 degrees and 43 consecutive days over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The original long hot summer. More...