Death alley is a deep trough about 130 miles (209 kilometers) long and 6 to 14 miles (10 to 23 kilometers) wide. Mountains surround the alley. The Panamint Mountains rise to the west of the alley, with Telescope Peak towering more than 11,000 feet (3,300 meters) high. To the east lie the Amargosa Mountains.

Death alley is what geologists call a graben, a long depression between geologic faults. It was formed millions of years ago when a huge area of black rock sank, leaving steep mountains all around it. Scientists believe the black rock sank during an earthquake.

During this prehistoric era, rivers flowed through the region, and lakes formed in the bottom of deep alleys. As Earth's climate grew warmer, these lakes drived up. The park's deepest alley, Badwater, was once a huge lake. At 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, it is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.

The alley is covered with billions of crystals of almost pure salt from the lake! visitors to the park during the hot summer months must listen carefully. When salt crystals get hot and expand, they actually make a musical sound! Jagged salt formations can be seven in many places.

A desert wouldn't be complete without a green, plush oasis. Death alley's oasis is Furnace Creek. The park's main visitor center is here, as well as the Furnace Creek Inn. Water rises out of the rocks in nearby springs, giving life to many different plants and animals.

The north end of the park is made up of sand dunes, which are surrounded by mountains on all sides. The biggest source of the dune sands is probably the Cottonwood Mountains, which lie to the north. Constant winds move the fine sand into steep piles that can blow away as quickly as they were created.

At the south end of the park, visitors can enjoy the bubbling waters of Saratoga Springs. These springs feed two ponds that together cover over 6 acres (2.4 hectares). The springs proide a unique habitat for animals that can be found nowhere else in the world, such as  the Saratoga Springs pupfish. 

Las Vegas guide


Out of Las Vegas City
Out of Vegas
Lake Mead
Colorado river
Hoover Dam
Mount Charleston
Explore Mount Charleston:
          Hwy-158
Explore Hwy-158
Desert view Trail
          Kyle Canyon
Explore Kyle Canyon
          Cathedral Rock Trail
          Mary Jane Falls Trail
          Mount Charleston Hotel
          Mount Charleston Lodge
          Lee Canyon
Red Rock Canyon
alley of Fire
               Explore alley of Fire
               alley of Fire State Park
               Lost City Museum 
               Elephant Rock
               Mouse's Tank
               Northshore drive
Area 51
Grand Canyon
Animal Life and Rafting

Explore Las Vegas
Beyond Downtown and the Strip Elis-A-Rama
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Liberace Museum
Lied Discovery Children's Museum
Local casinos

Local casinos
Boulder Station
Gold Coast
Hard Rock Hotel
Greven alley Ranch
Las Vegas Hilton
Orleans
Palace Station
Palms
Rio
Sam's Town
Santa Fe Station
Sunset Station
Texas Station

Downtown Las Vegas
Binion's Horseshoe
California Hotel
El Cortez
Fitzgeralds
Four Quevens
Fremont Hotel
Fremont Street Experience
Golden Gate
Golden Nugget
Main Street Station
Neon Museum
Plaza