Death Valley National Park is a noted American desert region. Most people think of sand dunes when they think of a desert, but Death Valley National Park’s sand dune landscape occupies only 1% of Death Valley National Park. There are a handful of dune areas within the park, but the two most notable are the Eureka Dunes and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The ideal Death Valley National Park lodging for both of these awesome dune locations is Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is quite vast and Stovepipe Wells is centrally located. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are in the immediate vicinity of Stovepipe Wells while Eureka Dunes would be a great day trip.
Death Valley National Park Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes photo by John Bruckman on Flickr
As you venture out of your comfortable Death Valley lodging at Stovepipe Wells, you can head right over to the spectacular Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. There isn’t a trail, so to speak, but just a quarter mile east of Stovepipe Wells is the 14-square-mile field of dunes. Explorers can choose their level of difficulty when they get there. Children will enjoy sand sledding as well as the adults. Your Death Valley lodging is so close to these dunes that those who might want to go back to Stovepipe Wells early will be able to do so. The best times to photograph the dunes here is at sunrise and sunset. The morning time offers the delight of following the animal tracks that were left the night before as Death Valley National Park residents are mostly nocturnal.
Death Valley National Park Eureka Dunes photo by fennfoot on Flickr
Eureka Dunes are California’s (and perhaps even the United States’) tallest dunes. The closest Death Valley lodging to Eureka Dunes is Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is a park with some distance between the attractions and it best traveled in a series of day trips. Eureka Dunes is a great example with 80 miles of scenic Death Valley National Park between it and Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is known for the dramatic scenery and the low, surreal elevation. As you travel from Stovepipe Wells, you rise up to this isolated valley resting at 3,000 feet elevation. A drive out to the Eureka Dunes is just how visitors see the north side of the park. Some of this road is unpaved. In adverse weather, this road may be closed, so be sure to check before you get your hopes up. When you get to the almost 700 foot pale mountain of sand, you may hear a deep moaning vibratory sound. This is the Eureka Dunes’ song, which can only be heard when the dunes are extremely dry throughout. You wouldn’t believe how much actual water a sand dune can hold, but often times the Eureka Dunes are too moist for this phenomenon. Contrary to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, sand sledding is not permitted on the Eureka Dunes due to a handful of endangered and threatened plant and animal species who are endemic to this unique pocket ecosystem.
Death Valley National Park Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes photo by John Bruckman on Flickr
These awesome sand dune formations are popular highlights of Death Valley National Park. Lodging central to most of the Death Valley excitement is at Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is a rugged place that demonstrates just how hard some species have to work at survival. At the end of then day, you don’t want the same feeling of difficulty with your Death Valley National Park lodging. Staying at Stovepipe Wellsis ideal on all fronts. You will be central to these great dune areas as well as lavish in the high level of comfort and service at Stovepipe Wells. Death Valley is a special place that is best traveled in short day trips from your Death Valley lodging. Stovepipe Wells is the most ideal Death Valley National Park lodging available. Call up US Park Lodging for all your Death Valley lodging needs. Our highly trained professionals will be happy to assist you in your vacation planning.
