Death Valley is the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the United States. Daytime temperatures have topped 130�F (54�C) and it is home to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. There are canyons, colorful badlands, sand dunes, mountains, and over 1000 species of plants in this graben on a fault line. Further geologic points of interest are salt flats, springs, and buttes.