The saline soils of the floor of Death Valley can create unique features in conjunction with the plants that manage to eke out a living in the harsh environment. Such is the case of Devil's Cornfield. Here the plants that have taken root in the salty earth are being lifted up on pilars of salts and other minerals, forming interesting, haystack-like features for several square acres of the landscape.

From Furnace Creek, travel north on Hwy 190. You will pass turn-offs to Beatty via Hells Gate, and you will pass the turn off to Scotty's Castle Road as Hwy. 190 turns west and heads across Death Valley toward the town of Stovepipe Wells.

Continue along Hwy 190 toward Stovepipe Wells. About half-way across the valley floor you will see a sign point out the Devil's Cornfield (which you will be driving through). The shoulders of the road are wide to accommodate visitors who wish to stop and more closely inspect or photograph these odd features.

Distance:
Approx. 20 mi.

Travel time:
Approx. 30 min.

From Devil's Cornfield, continue west along Hwy 190. The sand dunes will be clearly visible for virtually this entire stretch of Hwy 190, but the closest viewing (and hiking distance if you plan to walk out to the dunes) is just before you get to the town of Stovepipe Wells. As you approach Stovepipe wells, you will see one or more signs indicating the sand dunes, and here again the road is amply wide to accommodate the many vehicles that stop here while visitors walk out among the dunes.

Distance:
Approx. 3 mi.

Travel Time:
Approx. 5 min.

When you leave the dunes, turn around and head back east on Hwy. 190 toward Furnace Creek again. As you reach the east side of the valley, you will come to the intersection of Scotty's Castle Road.

Turn left onto Scotty's Castle road and follow it for several miles as you traverse to the north end of Death Valley. You will pass through the Ranger Station just after you pass Mesquite Springs campground. Immediately after you pass the ranger station, the road forks left to Ubehebe Crater, and right to Scotty's Castle.

Turn right at this intersection and continue along Scotty's Castle Road as it ascends Grapevine Canyon. You will reach Scotty's Castle after about 1 or 2 miles. Then entrance will be clearly marked AFTER you pass the huge ranch gates on your left.

Scotty's Castle (named after the famous Walter Scott aka "Death Valley Scotty") was built in the 1920's by the not-so-famous Chicago financier Albert Johnson. You can read more about the castle on the National Park Service's web site. Tour times vary, so call ahead and/or check with the Visitor's Center in Furnace Creek to be asured that tours will be running when you visit. Plan on having lunch on the castle grounds either before or after your tour, depending upon how long you have to wait for your tour. Spend some time visiting the museum and exploring the castle grounds.

Distance:
Approx. 50 mi.

Travel Time:
Approx. 1 hour.

When exiting from Scotty's Castle, turn right onto Scotty's Castle Road heading back into Death Valley. Continue straight through the intersection that takes you back toward Furnace Creek, and instead continue on up to the parking area for Ubehebe Crater.

Distance:
Approx. 8 mi.

Travel Time:
Approx. 15 minutes

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