Recent repairs have allowed Death Valley National Park staff to reopen the Salt Creek Boardwalk/NPS

The Salt Creek Boardwalk and all campgrounds are now open in Death Valley National Park. However, visitors should be aware of severe winter weather forecasted for the rest of this week. 

Salt Creek Boardwalk, which has been closed for months due to safety hazards, recently reopened. Park employees and volunteers from Apple replaced more than 100 broken or sagging boards.

Salt Creek is a seasonal stream of salty water that is the only home of the rare Salt Creek Pupfish. According to park staff, the boardwalk is open year round, however the water flows down to the boardwalk only from November through May. The best time to visit is during the Spring (February - April) when the Salt Creek Pupfish spawn. Interpretive signs along the way explain pupfish behavior, their adaptations, and how they relate to other pupfish around the Mojave Desert.

The area also is said to offer some of the national park's best birding opportunities.

Salt Creek, shown here in February 2017, offers some of the best birding in Death Valley and is home to a rare pupfish/NPS

Death Valley generally welcomes a large number of visitors during the week of Thanksgiving. However, travelers this year should be cautious of winter storms that might bring snow as low as 3,200 feet in the park. 

All park campgrounds are now open. However, Mahogany Flat Campground (elevation 8,200’) and Thorndike Campground (elevation 7,400’) will close if snow makes them inaccessible.