Death Valley National Park Needs Help Identifying This Driver Responsible For Damaging Rare Desert Plants

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Death Valley National Park is asking for the public’s help identifying those responsible for illegal off-road driving on Eureka Dunes on December 17th 2025. More than five miles of unauthorized vehicle tracks caused significant damage to rare and sensitive desert plants.

The vehicle is believed to be a white 2021 Toyota Tacoma with California license plates, an equipment rack in the truck bed and a black Fox Racing cover on the tailgate. At least two people were in the vehicle when it was photographed on the dunes.

“Eureka Dunes are a special place meant to be enjoyed on foot. They are protected from off-road driving by both park regulations and their designation as wilderness. Please help us identify those responsible for damaging these fragile resources. Some of the plants affected grow nowhere else on earth.” -Superintendent Mike Reynolds

At least 74 plants were damaged or destroyed, including one shining milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans), a rare species found only on sand dunes in Death Valley National Park.

Vehicle tracks also passed close enough to other rare plants that the vehicle’s weight may have caused underground root damage. Those include Eureka Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis) and Eureka Valley dune grass (Swallenia alexandrae), both endemic to the park’s dune ecosystems.

Eureka Dunes are designated a National Natural Landmark for their height (rising more than 680 feet) and their status as an “ecological island” supporting unique plant species.

Anyone with information is asked to report it anonymously to the National Park Service Tip Line at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, by email at nps_isb@nps.gov or by calling 888-653-0009.

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