Death Valley, a below-sea-level basin, has earned its name through its record of steady drought and extreme summer heat. There are a number of, what many would call, extreme climates throughout the land.
Great Basin National Park is known for its underground passages, tall peaks and summits, sage-covered foothills, and diverse families of animals. One of the most popular attractions to see is the Great Basin bristlecone pines, the oldest non-clonal species on the planet.
Lake Mead holds the title of being the first and largest national recreation area in the United States of America. There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do at this national site, including hiking, camping, swimming, and fishing.
The thousands of Pleistocene (Ice Age) fossils that tell stories of those who lived thousands of years ago are but a part of what makes the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument so special.