Sight · Death Valley National Park
Fenced blue cavern sheltering the ultra-rare Devils Hole pupfish
Overview
Devils Hole is a tiny, fenced limestone cavern and warm spring in a detached unit of the park, tucked within the Amargosa Desert. It’s globally unique as the only natural home of the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Think science stop, not recreation: you’re here to observe, learn, and leave it undisturbed.
The pool stays about 91–93°F year‑round, is low in oxygen, and drops well over 400 feet into the limestone—possibly much deeper. It’s connected to a vast aquifer and famously “sloshes” during distant earthquakes, leaving marks on the cavern walls. A shallow rock shelf near the surface is the lifeline for the pupfish.
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Local know-how
Bring binoculars or a zoom lens—the fish are tiny and far below.
There are no facilities; carry water and sun protection.
Roads are gravel and can be rough; check conditions before you go.
Pair this with nearby spring boardwalks to actually see pupfish up close.
Arrive early for cooler temps, softer light, and better fish visibility.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Death Valley Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Death Valley National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Death Valley audio tour“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
From a small parking area, a short gravel path leads to a locked, fenced viewing platform over the pool (there’s a second gated opening a bit farther along). The fish are tiny and the water is far below, so bring binoculars or a zoom lens. Expect a quick, educational stop rather than a dramatic vista.
The star is the Devils Hole pupfish, among the rarest fish on Earth, adapted to the hot, oxygen‑poor water here. Viewing is from the platform only; patience and optics help. For easier fish spotting, pair this stop with nearby spring-fed boardwalks in the surrounding refuge where related pupfish are visible.
If you love rare wildlife, geology, and conservation stories, absolutely—this tiny hole packs big significance. If you’re seeking scenery or action, it can feel underwhelming and out of the way. Pair it with other springs nearby to make the drive pay off.
Wildlife
71 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
101 sightingsDesert TortoiseMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
458 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
28 sightingsFeral BurroMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
30 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
62 sightingsKit FoxMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Death Valley. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Parkwolf’s Death Valley ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
