Flash Flooding and Extremely dangerous weather Close Access and Strand Visitors
Death Valley National Park – August 5, 2022 – Advisory report – All Roads, Campgrounds and Services are now closed in Death Valley National Park because of extreme weather and flooding. The rains started on Friday and delivered a years worth of water in a short period of time. If you have ever visit Death Valley you are familiar with the erosion factors that occur in the National park when heavy rains occur.
Approximately 1,000 people are stranded in the park, according to park officials. No injuries have been reported.
The park received 1.7 inches of rain on Friday morning, an entire year’s worth of rain for the area in a few hours. Annual rainfall for the park is 2 inches.
Major flash flooding in Death Valley National Park this morning. Approximately two dozen vehicles trapped in mud and rock debris at the Inn at Death Valley. Took nearly 6 hours to get out. #cawx #stormhour pic.twitter.com/3rDFUgY7ws — John Sirlin (@SirlinJohn) August 5, 2022
Here is a look at some of the flood waters currently pouring over State Route 190 through @DeathValleyNPS . The highway, which stretches from Olancha to Death Valley Junction, remains closed at this time due to flooding. pic.twitter.com/z8M4N6ARKH — Caltrans District 9 (@Caltrans9) August 5, 2022
In 2015 a similar rain event happened in Death Valley destroying much of the area near Scotty’s Castle. The region of the park is still in recovery stages and has neve re-opened to the public.
Current Closures and Conditions
Roads, Trails & Locations
CLOSED:
- All park roads are closed.
- Bonnie Claire Road and Scotty’s Castle due to flood recovery work.
- Jail Canyon (see the Superintendent’s Compendium to learn more).
Please see the Backcountry and Wilderness Access Map for standard dirt road conditions. For questions, call: 760-786-3200.
CAUTION: There is currently a deep sandy area of the road in Hidden Valley; several motorists have gotten stuck.
Campgrounds
CLOSED: Sunset, Texas Spring, and Stovepipe Wells Camprounds.
There are currently NO restroom facilities at Homestake Campground. Pack out all waste.
Fire Restrictions
At Wildrose, Thorndike, and Mahogany Flats Campgrounds the setting, maintain, attending, or using of open flame of any kind is prohibited between June 15th and September 15th or during other periods of high fire danger. Controlled flame devices such as portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves that use gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed.
Visitor Centers
CLOSED: The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is closed 8/5/2022 while roads are impassible due to flash flooding.
The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This includes pass sales, information, bookstore, exhibits and the park film.
VARIABLE: Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station. Variable days and hours depending on staffing. Please call: 760-786-3200 for current status. Pass sales and information.
Resorts: Lodging, Food, and Fuel
Food options are available and gas stations are open. Please contact each of these private businesses directly for the most up to date information on their operations:
