Death Valley:
Death Valley National Park was established in 1933 and covers almost 3,000 square miles. At two of its edges are the 11,049-ft. Telescope Peak on the West and 5,475-ft. Dante's View on the East. At its lowest point, Death Valley is almost 300 feet below sea level in Badwater basin (the lowest point in the Western hemisphere). Death Valley is typically one of the hottest places on the Earth, reaching a temperature of 134 degrees at one point in 1913. Prospectors were among the first white people to discover Death Valley, as they were looking for a shortcut to the gold rush further West into California. Having been there, I can say that Death Valley is truly a beautiful National Park. There are a few hotels, shops and restaurants located in scattered settlements in Death Valley and you can even golf 214 feet below sea level in Furnace Creek.