March 25, 2009
Death Valley National Park Invites Public Input On Wilderness Stewardship Plan
The National Park Service is initiating a Wilderness Stewardship Plan for the Death Valley Wilderness Area. The purpose of this Wilderness Stewardship Plan is to guide the National Park Service and to make decisions regarding the future use and protection of the wilderness lands. We will be completing an environmental analysis consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is anticipated that this process will take 2-3 years to complete and there will be several times in the process where we will actively invite public input; this is the first such occasion.
Map of Designated Wilderness in Death Valley NP (244kb PDF)
Death Valley NP Wilderness Fact Sheet (12kb PDF)

March 17, 2009
Early Death Valley Artist's Work on Display at Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park invites the public to view a special showing of Robert F. Williams paintings at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. On an extended loan from the Binnewies Family (Fred Binnewies was a former Superintendent of Death Valley National Park), is a small collection of paintings created by artist Robert F. Williams in the 1950s.

February 5, 2009
Devils Hole Pupfish Research Receives Significant Boost Thanks to the Generosity of the Offield Family Foundation and Death Valley Fund
Generous donations from the Offield Family Foundation and assistance from the Death Valley Fund are helping Death Valley National Park and our primary collaborators for Devils Hole pupfish research at Iowa State University take the first big steps in moving past inherent challenges to studying the Devils Hole pupfish.

January 21, 2009
New Superintendent selected for Death Valley National Park
Sarah L. Craighead, a 30-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), is appointed superintendent of Death Valley National Park, it was announced today by NPS Regional Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. Craighead will replace JT Reynolds who retired January 3.
Sarah Craighead photo (50kb JPEG)

January 8, 2009
Death Valley National Park Seeking Public Input On Draft Exotic Plant Management Plan
Death Valley National Park is developing an Exotic Plant Management Plan. The park initiated this plan in 2002, and with new information gained during the last several years, would like to invite further input on a recent draft. "We welcome and need your comments and suggestions," states Acting Superintendent Sue Husari. Public meetings will be held Monday, January 26th at the Bob Ruud Community Center in Pahrump, NV from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 27th at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley, CA, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, and on Thursday, January 29th at the Department of Water & Power Building in Bishop, CA, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Exotic Plant Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (1mb PDF)

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 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.