Death Valley Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary
Experience the stark beauty of North America's lowest point, featuring vast salt flats, towering sand dunes, and painted canyons. This land of extremes offers incredible stargazing, unique geology, and a surprising amount of life in the Mojave Desert.
Death Valley is a place of defying expectations. Often dismissed as a barren wasteland, this massive national park in California and Nevada is actually a geological wonderland filled with life, color, and dramatic contrasts. From the snow-capped peaks of the Panamint Mountains to the salt-crusted floor of Badwater Basin, the landscape shifts constantly, offering a visual feast that feels more like Mars than Earth.
Visitors here are treated to a silence so profound it can be felt. Whether you are exploring the polished marble walls of Mosaic Canyon or watching the sailing stones of the Racetrack Playa, the sheer scale of the desert puts everything into perspective. It is a land where the earth has been twisted, stretched, and scorched, resulting in some of the most unique scenery in the American West.
Seasonal Weather Guide
Plan your perfect getaway with our detailed seasonal forecast.
A Landscape Forged by Extremes
What makes Death Valley truly unique is its extremes. It holds the world record for the hottest air temperature ever recorded at 134°F, yet in winter, snow dusts the higher peaks. It is the driest place in North America, yet rare storms can transform arid flats into vast reflecting pools. This volatility has created a geology that is exposed and raw; without heavy vegetation to hide it, the earth’s skeleton is on full display.
Culturally, the valley has a rich history ranging from the Timbisha Shoshone people, who have lived here for centuries, to the boom-and-bust mining eras of the late 1800s. The crumbling ruins of the Harmony Borax Works and the charcoal kilns at Wildrose stand as testaments to the human tenacity required to survive and work in such an unforgiving environment. Today, it remains a haven for those seeking solitude and the sublime beauty of the desert.
Things to Do
Unforgettable experiences await you.
Badwater Basin Salt Flats Walk
Walk out onto the polygonal salt formations at the lowest point in North America, sitting 282 feet below sea level.
Sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Watch the badlands glow with gold and purple hues as the sun crests over the Funeral Mountains in this iconic photography spot.
Artist's Drive Scenic Loop
Drive through a nine-mile one-way loop through colorful volcanic hills mineralized in shades of green, pink, and purple.
Dining at The Inn at Death Valley
Enjoy fine dining with date palm views in a historic 1927 mission-style resort that serves as an oasis in the desert.
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The Icons You’ll Want to See
Badwater Basin - This surreall landscape features vast hexagonal salt polygons stretching to the horizon. Located 17 miles south of Furnace Creek, it is the lowest point in North America. The walk onto the flats is flat and easy, though it can be extremely hot in summer. Free with park entry.
Zabriskie Point - The most famous viewpoint in the park, offering a 360-degree look at the golden badlands. It is located 5 miles east of Furnace Creek on Hwy 190. A short, paved uphill walk leads to the overlook. Best visited at sunrise or sunset. Free with park entry.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes - These towering dunes rise up to 100 feet high and are located near Stovepipe Wells. It is an open play area with no set trails, allowing you to hike as far as you wish. The dunes are 23 miles from the Visitor Center. Free with park entry.
Artist’s Drive & Palette - A scenic 9-mile one-way loop off Badwater Road that winds through volcanic hills splashed with iron, mica, and manganese, creating colors of pink, green, and purple. Vehicles longer than 25 feet are prohibited. Free with park entry.
Ubehebe Crater - A stunning maar volcano located 45 miles north of the visitor center. The crater is 600 feet deep and half a mile across. You can view it from the parking lot or hike the rim. It is often windy and cooler here. Free with park entry.
Essential Guide
Everything you need to know.
Must-Visit Spots
Local Cuisine
Where to Stay
Travel Tips
Insider Tips
Planning Your Visit
Getting to Death Valley requires a car, as there is no public transportation within the park. The main entry points are via Highway 190 from the west (Lone Pine) or the east (Death Valley Junction). It is critical to arrive with a full tank of gas; while there are stations at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, prices are often among the highest in the United States. Cell service is virtually non-existent outside of the main lodging hubs, so download offline maps on Google Maps or carry a physical atlas.
When packing, water is your most important item. The National Park Service recommends drinking at least one gallon of water per day, even in cooler months, due to the extreme aridity. Sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunscreen, is mandatory. If you plan to hike, sturdy boots are better than sneakers due to the loose scree and rocky terrain found on most trails.
When to Visit
Choose the perfect time for your adventure.
Peak Season: Winter & Early Spring (Nov-Mar)
Pros
- Perfect hiking temperatures
- Ranger-led programs are active
- Best visibility for photography
- Campgrounds are open
Cons
- Hotel rates are highest
- Popular spots like Zabriskie Point get crowded
- Rain can occasionally flash flood canyons
- Campsites fill up months in advance
Shoulder Season: Spring & Fall (Apr/Oct)
Pros
- Warm days perfect for pool time
- Longer daylight hours than winter
- Flowers may bloom in spring
- Roads are generally clear of snow
Cons
- Midday can still be uncomfortably hot
- Wind storms are common in spring
- Bugs can be an issue near water sources
Off-Peak: Summer (May-Sep)
Pros
- Zero crowds
- Cheapest lodging rates
- Surreal experience of extreme heat
- Easy parking everywhere
Cons
- Life-threatening heat limits activities
- Car breakdowns are dangerous
- Some campgrounds and facilities close
- Hiking is virtually impossible
Death Valley is a destination that stays with you long after you leave. The silence of the salt flats and the brilliance of the night sky create a sense of peace that is hard to find elsewhere. Whether you come for the wildflower blooms in spring or the stark shadows of winter, the hottest place on Earth is also one of the most beautiful.
Sample Itineraries
The Classic Valley Weekend
A comprehensive tour of the park's most famous landmarks, perfect for first-time visitors staying at Furnance Creek.
Day 1: Salt, Sand, and Sunsets
- Morning: Start your trip early at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes around 7:00 AM to beat the heat and hike to the tallest dune, a 2-mile round trip that costs nothing but effort. Afterward, drive 25 miles to the Visitor Center to pay the $30 vehicle entry fee and grab a map.
- Afternoon: Head south to Badwater Basin to walk the salt flats, then stop at Devil’s Golf Course on the way back for photos of the jagged salt crystals. Take the 9-mile one-way Artist’s Drive loop, stopping at Artist’s Palette to see the colorful oxidized hills in the late afternoon light.
- Evening: Enjoy a hearty dinner at The Last Kind Words Saloon at The Ranch, where entrees average $35 per person. Finish the night by driving just 5 minutes to Harmony Borax Works for incredible stargazing away from the hotel lights.
Day 2: Vistas and Volcanoes
- Morning: Wake up before dawn to catch the sunrise at Zabriskie Point, located 5 miles from Furnace Creek, where the golden light hits the badlands perfectly around 6:30 AM. Continue driving 20 miles up the winding road to Dante’s View for a breathtaking panoramic look at the valley floor over 5,000 feet below.
- Afternoon: Drive north 45 miles to visit the Ubehebe Crater, a massive volcanic mare where you can hike the rim trail for spectacular views into the 600-foot deep pit. Pack a picnic lunch to eat near the crater as there are no food services in this northern part of the park.
- Evening: Return to Furnace Creek for a relaxing swim in the spring-fed pool at the Ranch, which stays naturally warm. Conclude your trip with a casual dinner at the 1849 Buffet, costing approximately $25 per person, before heading out.
The Adventurous Explorer
Designed for travelers with high-clearance vehicles who want to go beyond the paved roads and see the hidden gems.
Day 1: Canyons and History
- Morning: Enter the park from the east via Titus Canyon Road, a one-way 4x4 dirt road that winds through a spectacular narrow gorge and passes the ghost town of Leadfield. The drive takes about 3 hours and dumps you out into the main valley just in time for lunch.
- Afternoon: Check into Stovepipe Wells Village and grab a burger at the Toll Road Restaurant for about $18. Spend the heat of the day visiting the Mosaic Canyon trail, a 4-mile round trip hike featuring polished marble walls that offer plenty of shade.
- Evening: Drive up Emigrant Canyon Road to the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns to see the historic beehive-shaped structures at sunset. The high elevation here means temperatures can be 20 degrees cooler than the valley floor.
Day 2: The Long Haul to the Racetrack
- Morning: Rent a proper jeep from Farabee’s Jeep Rentals (approx $250/day) if you don’t have heavy-duty tires, and head out to The Racetrack Playa. The drive takes 3.5 hours each way over washboard roads to see the famous sailing stones that move across the dry lake bed.
- Afternoon: Enjoy a packed lunch at the remote Grandstand rock formation in the middle of the playa, soaking in the absolute silence of this isolated area. Begin the long drive back carefully, ensuring you have plenty of water and a spare tire.
- Evening: Return to civilization and treat yourself to a fine dining experience at The Inn Dining Room, where a 3-course meal runs about $80 per person. Reservations are essential at this historic venue.
Day 3: Oasis and Vistas
- Morning: Drive west to Panamint Springs and hike the unpaved trail to Darwin Falls, a 2-mile round trip trek that rewards you with a lush waterfall and greenery in the middle of the desert. This is one of the few places in the park with year-round surface water.
- Afternoon: Stop at Father Crowley Vista Point on your way out of the park to look down into Rainbow Canyon, historically known as Star Wars Canyon. If you are lucky, you might spot military jets practicing low-level maneuvers through the terrain.
- Evening: Exit the park towards Lone Pine and grab dinner at a local diner on Highway 395 before heading home.
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