Death Valley National Park

Heat is the defining danger at Death Valley, where summer ground temperatures routinely exceed 200°F and the surrounding Inyo County recorded 526.5 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023 — a rate more than double the national average that warrants real caution around developed areas. Flash flooding compounds the risk: the park logged 3 flash flood events in recent years, and desert storms can send walls of water through narrow canyons with almost no warning even when skies above you look clear.

Pack a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day and store it in an insulated cooler rather than a hot car trunk, since trunk temperatures can render water bottles too hot to cool you down. If you plan to hike canyon trails, check the National Weather Service forecast for the broader region — not just the valley floor — before heading out, and turn back immediately if you hear distant thunder. For campsite security in developed areas, keep valuables locked in your vehicle and stay aware of activity around you after dark.