The Remote Eureka Valley

Eureka Valley is located within Death Valley National Park and was added to the park when Death Valley became a national park in 1994. Death Valley NP is now the largest national park in the lower 48 states at over 3.3 million acres, 50% more than Yellowstone. Ninety One per cent of the park is designated wilderness and Eureka Valley is definitely wilderness. It is approximately 28 miles long and up to 10 miles wide. Eureka Valley could be its own national park. The valley is known for its soaring sand dunes, the colorful Last Chance Range and views to the snow-capped White Mountains that reach some 14,000 feet into the air.

 

Clouds pass over Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California
Clouds pass over Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California

 

Texas Spring, Marble Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon, Stovepipe Wells Village, Stovepipe Wells Dunes, Devil's Cornfield, Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Crankshaft Junction, Eureka Dunes. We camped at Eureka Dunes. 164 miles, 10 hours 24 minutes
Eureka Valley, upper left on map, is a 2 hour drive from the center of Death Valley NP, mostly on dirt and gravel roads.

 

Fog envelops the Last Chance Mountains at Death Valley National Park, California
Colorful strata are the predominate feature of the aptly named Last Chance Range.

 

The brightly colored sedimentary layers of the Last Chance Mountains at Death Valley National Park, California

 

The snow-covered White Mountains as seen from Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California
The snow-covered White Mountains as seen from Eureka Valley.

 

Threatening clouds pass over Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California
Lazy clouds pass over Eureka Valley.

 

A nearly full moon rises through the clouds over Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California
A full moon lights up the landscape over Eureka Dunes.

 

High winds kick up dust at Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California
High winds kick up sand at Eureka Valley and eventually settles at the south end where the dunes reside.

 

The shapes and lines at Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California
The dunes rise up to 700 feet, amongst the tallest in North America.

 

The road to Eureka Dunes ar Death Valley National Park, California
The dunes look rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

 

Threatening clouds pass over Eureka Valley during sunset at Death Valley National Park, California
Sunset over the valley.

 

The shapes and lines at Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California
It’s amazing that anything grows or survives here.

 

Mammals burrow into the sand at Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California
Small mammals survive here by burrowing into the sand for relief. These nests are home to the kangaroo rat.

 

Threatening clouds pass over Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California

Rain makes an occasional appearance at Death Valley, but only a few inches annually.

Threatening clouds pass over Eureka Valley during sunset at Death Valley National Park, California

 

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