2008 News Releases

December 22, 2008
Special Hiking Tours of Lower Vine Ranch
Starting January 9th and ending April 11th, 2009, Lower Vine Ranch hiking tours are scheduled for every Friday and Saturday.
Lower Vine Ranch was the primary residence of Death Valley Scotty, and is normally closed to the public. These special programs are a rare opportunity to see this unique historic property.

 

September 18, 2008
Death Valley National Park to Re-activate Towne Pass Materials Site for Needed Highway Maintenance
Following a 13-year hiatus, the National Park Service will permit the resumption of use of Towne Pass Materials Site #218 located along State Route 190 adjacent to Towne Pass in Inyo County, California.

 

September 11, 2008
Historic Keane Wonder Mine Area Closed
The Keane Wonder Mine area is closed to all foot and vehicular access. The abandoned mines and ruins are over 100 years old and now pose a serious safety risk to visitors due to the potential for rock collapse and slides and the unstable condition of the historic tramway and other wooden features.

 

September 5, 2008
Military Flight Exercise Support Death Valley National Park Protect Resources
Effective Friday, September 12, 2008, Death Valley National Park will permit a flight exercise in partnership with the US military. This unique opportunity allows the park to obtain detailed aerial photographs and other data that will be used to study and protect park resources.

 

September 2, 2008
Death Valley National Park Now Accepting Comments on its Draft Fire Management Plan
The park is encouraging the public to review the draft Fire Management Plan (FMP) and Environment Assessment (EA) and submit their comments in writing no later than October 3, 2008

 

June 2, 2008
Seats Left for an Experience of a Lifetime
There are still seats available for this year’s fund raising pipe organ concert at Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley National Park.

 

May 8, 2008
Second temporary Closure of Barker Ranch Site
Death Valley National Park in cooperation with Inyo County Sheriff's Office will be temporarily closing access to Barker Ranch for a second time this year to assist them in the on-going investigation of possible human remains around the site.

 

May 6, 2008
Temporary Change for Furnace Creek Visitor Center Hours
Effective Sunday May 11, 2008 will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

 

April 25, 2008
Scotty's Castle to Begin Summer Operation Hours
Scotty's Castle begins their 2008 summer schedule. Even in the heat of summer, Scotty's Castle is open for tours, but with fewer visitors they are shortening their hours.

 

April 4, 2008
Temporary Closure of Barker Ranch Site
The National Park Service in cooperation with the Inyo County Sheriff's Office will be temporarily closing access to Barker Ranch later this month for the investigation of possible human remains.

 

March 20, 2008
Visitors Invited to Hear Organist Play Scotty's Castle Pipe Organ
Organist Donna Parker will be playing the Welte pipe organ at Scotty's Castle on June 13, 14, and 15, 2008.

 

January 17, 2008
Death Valley National Park Announces Astronomy Week 2008
Winter is the time for astronomy in Death Valley National Park, with long nights and clear skies. A week of special programs and events focusing on the skies above Death Valley will take place January 28th through February 2nd, 2008.
Astronomy Week 2008 Schedule of Events: (45k PDF)