Clearing a parking lot at Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley on August 16, 2022, in preparation for the popular site’s reopening, Death Valley National Park / NPS

Editor's Note: Small storms on Aug. 16 and Aug. 18  have caused debris flows on roads set to reopen Aug. 20. While some of the park’s most popular sites are still gearing up to welcome visitors on the 20th, park officials warn that the first 17 miles of Badwater Road (including all of Badwater Basin) and Dantes View may still be closed. Sites that require access from Badwater Road include Golden Canyon, Artist Drive, Devils Golf Course and Natural Bridge. 

Death Valley National Park's most popular sites will reopen to the public on Saturday, August 20 – just two weeks after a historic flood unleashed massive, record-setting rainfall and caused millions of dollars in damage to roads and facilities. Several park roads remain closed so visitors should plan ahead and not rely on GPS.     

"We're eager to welcome summer visitors back to Death Valley's most popular sites, but at the same time, we want to caution folks that many roads in the park will remain closed for months during repair work," said Mike Reynolds, park superintendent. "I’m thankful for our work crews and Caltrans partners who have worked tirelessly to reopen popular sites to visitors. It’s an opportune time to visit the park and witness firsthand the dramatic impacts of a 1,000-year flood event.”    

Maintenance crews from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have been working to reopen State Route 190, the main thoroughfare through the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for most other roads within the park and has been working to clear them to make them safe for the public.     

Visitors will only be able to access the park via State Route 190 and Panamint Valley Road. All other paved roads including Badwater Road from CA-178, all access roads via NV-374 (Beatty Cutoff and Daylight Pass), and North Highway/Scotty’s Castle Road will remain closed for repairs.      

All roads into and through the park were closed to the public on Friday, Aug. 5 due to severe flooding. The park, which has approximately 1,400 miles of roads, including 200 miles of paved roadways, was affected by debris, shoulder road loss, undercutting, and pavement loss. Workers assessed 600 miles of roads, and 200 miles are deemed impassable. Park officials say there are still 800 more miles of road left to assess.      

Crews from both agencies spent the last two weeks conducting damage assessments, making critical repairs, and clearing tons of debris and dirt from roadways.    

The park is vast. At about 3.4 million acres, it is almost the size of Connecticut. NPS officials advise when visitors return to the park, they should exercise extreme caution and respect closures.    

Some of the park's most popular sites will reopen to visitors this weekend including: Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Badwater Basin (open only from State Route 190 but closed south of Badwater at mile marker 17), Golden Canyon, Artist Drive, Devils Golf Course, Natural Bridge, Zabriskie Point, Dantes View, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Twenty Mule Canyon, and Harmony Borax Works.    

Other attractions will remain closed indefinitely and some park roads may remain closed for days to months, depending on the severity of the damage, NPS officials say.    

Motorists should also expect temporary delays and lower speed limits when traveling throughout the park. They may encounter one way traffic control stops and limited shoulder parking. They should also watch for loose gravel on the road that may impact windshields and tires.   

Backcountry roads are still being assessed and the park does not have information about conditions in many areas. The public should be aware of hazardous conditions, including missing shoulders, steep drop-offs, and impassable areas on backcountry roads. Backcountry travel in Death Valley requires proper equipment (including a high-clearance vehicle and rugged, backcountry tires), careful planning, and experience with extreme heat and harsh desert conditions.     

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Death Valley over the weekend are forecast to be around 115° F (46°C). The NPS encourages park visitors to stay safe in the summer by not hiking at low elevations after 10 a.m., staying within a short walk of air conditioning, drinking plenty of water, and eating salty snacks.