Death Valley National Park? The Forty-niners, whose suffering gave the valley its name, would have howled at the notion. “Death Valley National Park” seems a contradiction in terms, an oxymoron of the great outdoors.

By Cheri Rae and John McKinney

The Crown Jewel of the California Desert

Discover America's Magnificent New National Parkland!

Mojave National Preserve: A Visitor's Guide reveals the wonders of Hole-in-the-Wall, the Mojave River, Kelso Dunes and Mitchell Caverns.

Lively tours, clear maps and directions, nature and history notes enrich appreciation for one of the nation's most spectacular natural areas.