Known as Timbisha or “rock paint” to the Shoshone who called this place home, Death Valley is anything but a barren wasteland. In fact, this place is teeming with unique scenery, fauna, and flora. Here’s your ultimate guide to to visit this incredibly unique landscape.
Things to Know Before You Go
Many people are surprised to learn that Death Valley National Park has extreme highs (Telescope Peak at 11,043 feet above sea level). It also has the lowest point in America — Badwater Basin — which is 282 feet below sea level. The result is a park that’s actually twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
That vast divide isn’t just in elevation, but temperatures too. It’s not uncommon to get over 150 days of highs well above 100 degrees. Death Valley is the hottest place in America. It’s an utterly remote landscape with very few facilities — even by national park standards — so you must come prepared.
Plan on bringing one gallon of water per person, per day. You’ll need to adjust your itinerary to hike in the early morning before it gets too hot and wear plenty of sun protection to avoid heatstroke.
Practical Information About the Park
Visiting the park is an absolute must-do, but remember, it’s huge! At 5,270 square miles, it’s one of the largest national parks in the country. Much of the park is inaccessible, even with a 4×4 vehicle. However, if you want to hit the highlights and stick to the pavement, you’ll want two days in the park.
Other important info about the park includes:
- Fees: It is $30 per vehicle to enter Death Valley National Park. Passes are valid for 7 days. If you’ve got an America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass, it’s free entry.
- Dog Friendly: Death Valley National Park is in no way dog-friendly. You cannot take your dog out of your car. Remember, leaving your dog in the car on even a mildly hot day is dangerous, so leave your pup at home.
- Cell service: Due to the remote location of the park, don’t expect cell service. Download your navigation in advance so you can get around the park.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park
Death Valley has some of the most extreme weather in the U.S. Temperatures can range from 13 degrees Fahrenheit to 134 degrees (the hottest temperature ever recorded in the U.S.). You’ll want to plan your visit to avoid the extremes.
Spring and fall are the best times of year to visit Death Valley. The temperatures are still quite high ranging from 82 to 100 in spring (with lows ranging from 55 to 73) and temperatures of 106 to 77 in fall (lows from 76 to 48).
Spring is well known for its wildflower blooms, which happen from mid-February through early April each year. This is arguably the most crowded time to visit the park. Although, there’s nothing quite like never-ending fields of flowers.
Do not visit Death Valley National Park in summer unless you’re willing to endure extreme heat and you have the proper gear to manage the relentless sun. Temperatures are well above 100 (getting up to 116 on average) during the summer months.
Winters can be quite pleasant during the day with temperatures ranging from 65 to 73 degrees. Although, the lows are a bit chilly — around 30-40 degrees — if you plan on camping. It’s also surprisingly busy during the winter months thanks to the cooler temperature.
Getting Oriented in Death Valley National Park
There are two main ways to get into the park from the east or west side. Due to the remote location of the park, you’ll want to fill up on gas before you enter. The distances between attractions are quite large so you’ll want a full tank.
If you’re coming from Los Angeles, you’ll likely enter from Panamint Springs. This is the last stop for gas, supplies, and the nearest lodging that isn’t in the park. Those arriving from Las Vegas will enter from State Road 160 in Nevada, passing through Pahrump. Again, this is the last outpost before you reach the park.
The park mainly runs north and south. You’ll find most of the action south of Highway 190 on the east side of the park. There are a few awesome attractions in the north, including the famous Ubehebe Crater, that is well worth the effort. The west side of the park is far more difficult to access, thanks to a giant salt pan. You’ll need a capable 4×4 vehicle to get over the east side and plenty of experience in the backcountry.
Camping in Death Valley
Unlike most national parks, camping in the summer in Death Valley is actually not advised. Campgrounds are not staffed and they are all first-come first-served. The busy season runs from October to April and reservations are required from October 15 through April 15 for most campgrounds.
There are nine campgrounds in Death Valley National Park. Be sure to look up the specific regulations for the campground you’re planning to stay at. They are:
- Furnace Creek Campground
- Sunset Campground
- Texas Spring Campground
- Stovepipe Wells
- Mesquite Spring
- Emigrant
- Wildrose
- Thorndike
- Mahogany Flat
Backcountry Permits
Backcountry camping and trips are designed for extreme, well-seasoned desert backpackers only. Death Valley is not the place to try desert backpacking for the first time. You are required to carry all of your own water, oftentimes caching it in areas beforehand. There are very few maintained trails and no established campsites so you will have to be fluent in cross-country navigation in the desert environment.
Free permits are available in advance online or in-person at both the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station and Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Other Lodging
There are four high-end, luxury lodging options in Death Valley National Park. They are:
- Panamint Springs Resort
- The Ranch at Death Valley
- The Oasis at Death Valley
- Stovepipe Wells Villages
These places are located within the park and have restaurants and facilities to make your stay more comfortable. Keep in mind some resorts are undergoing renovations, so check with each location to see what’s open and what isn’t.
Nearby Accommodation
Death Valley National Park is a remote location. There isn’t much in the way of civilization around the park, so expect a bit of a drive getting in if you aren’t staying inside the park boundaries. Beaty and Pahrump in Nevada and Lonepine and Ridgecrest in California offer the closest lodging to the park. The nearest major cities are Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Wildlife Information
Don’t let the doom-and-gloom name fool you. There is life in Death Valley National Park. In fact, the Shoshone people lived here for generations. Bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and jackrabbits are just a few of the creatures you may encounter during your visit.
Keep in mind that this is home to many creatures and life is not easy. Although wildlife encounters are rare, animals tend to be where people aren’t. Never feed or approach wildlife. This is harmful to their wellbeing and can actually stress the animal to death. Also, the desert tortoise is an endangered species. Touching or approaching them is illegal and can kill the turtle if they pee out of fear and lose precious water.
Hiking in Death Valley
Death Valley isn’t exactly a hiking location. In fact, hikes here are harsh, difficult, and relentless in the mid-day heat — even in winter. Stay safe by hiking only in the early morning hours or late in the afternoon around sunset. Some must-see hikes include:
- Badwater Basin: This is an easy 1.8 miles that will take you one hour or less. It goes to the lowest point in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level.
- Artist Drive Viewpoint: This will take you about a half-hour to hike 0.4 miles. There are views of mineral-stained rocks, best seen at mid-day.
- Natural Bridge: This is another easy 1.4-miles hike to a natural rock bridge.
- Ubehebe Crater: This will take you a bit longer (around 1.5 hours) to travel 1.5 miles. You can walk around an ancient crater from a volcano.
- Telescope Peak: This hike is extremely difficult at 13 miles. It heads to the high point of Death Valley.
Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
There are plenty of other things to do besides hike in Death Valley National Park. Be sure to check out these top attractions during your trip.
Scope the Views at Dante’s View
Dante’s View gives you a sense of just how large and drastic Death Valley is. You can see both the highest (Telescope Peak) and lowest (Badwater Basin) point in the park from this 5,575-foot-high perch.
Stand in the Lowest Point of America at Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin is arguably the most sought-after attraction in Death Valley National Park. It’s the lowest point in America. Located along a seeping salt pan, this weird and whacky spot is a must-visit.
Witness the Spring Super Blooms
Every spring (sometimes summer) Death Valley bursts with life. Colorful yellow flowers bloom from every inhabitable crevice of the park. These events are largely driven by the previous year’s rain, so timing them requires you to watch the park’s updates.
Play in the Sand
There are five distinct sand dunes in Death Valley National Park. Prevailing winds move bits of sand around until the dunes form over thousands of years and sand gets trapped in geological features. There are two main dunes — Eureka Dunes and Mesquite Flat Dunes — that are easily accessible by passenger car. The other three dunes — Panamint, Ibex, and Saline — take a bit of effort to reach but are often quiet places.
Soak in the Views on Artist’s Drive
If you’re not driving an RV, trailer, or camper van, then Artist’s Drive is a great side trip from the main park road. Here you’ll find mineral-stained rocks dipped in yellows, oranges, purples, and greens. There is a small overlook where you can gawk at the formations, while a windy paved road takes you right through this inspiring landscape.
Death Valley National Park is full of awe-inspiring scenery and unique features that can’t be found anywhere else on earth. Its remote location makes you feel like you’re truly in the heart of the American desert, while the towering mountains give you a real sense of scale for this vast wilderness. Connect with nature on your next visit to Death Valley National Park.
Article written by Meg Atteberry. Photos from Unsplash.
Meg Atteberry wants to empower you to have the ultimate outdoor adventure. She loves to use her writing work to help people level up their outdoor skills. You can find her climbing, camping, and hiking across her home in Colorado and the American Southwest. When she’s not out exploring, she’s at home cooking up delicious meals from around the globe and curling up with a good Sci-Fi book. You can follow Meg’s adventures at Fox in the Forest.
