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Death Valley is a unique and rugged desert landscape located in eastern California. It is the lowest, driest, and hottest place in North America, with vast expanses of salt flats, sand dunes, and rugged canyons, each with its own unique geological features and breathtaking views.
Most people will visit Death Valley NP for one day, but spending two days in Death Valley is a great way to explore this unique and stunning landscape.
The closest major cities to Death Valley are Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, & Yosemite (which makes it a great destination for a road trip)
Death Valley Entrance Fee - per vehicle - $30.00
This permit allows all persons traveling with the permit holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Death Valley Entrance Fee - per motorcycle - $25.00
This permit allows persons traveling on one motorcycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Death Valley Entrance Fee - per individual - $15.00
This permit allows a single individual traveling on foot or individuals traveling on one bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass (Our recommendation)
$80: yearly pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee areas for 12 months from the time of purchase.
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit Death Valley. In spring, March-May, there are blooming flowers brought by winter's rain and in autumn, October-November, there are pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies.
I'd try to avoid visiting in the Summer (May-September) because it's the busiest and hottest time of the year.
Most people tend to stay here only one day, but if you’d really like to explore everything this park has to offer, we suggest visiting for 2 days.
The most expensive option is lodging Inside the Park: The Ranch at Death Valley or The Oasis at Death Valley are both great choices.
Places near the park:
• Beatty, NV - 45 minutes.
• Shoshone, CA - 1 hour.
• Longstreet Inn Casino & RV Resort, NV - 40 minutes.
Death Valley has so much to offer besides Badwater Basin. Make sure to check out these places.
•Dante’s View: A great viewpoint over Death Valley. You can even see Badwater Basin! Sadly we didn't have a clear morning so we couldn't see much. There's a short hiking trail here thats Definitely worth hiking.
• Zabriskie Point: The best spot to watch the sunrise in Death Valley. Come early and catch a spot because many photographers come to catch that beautiful morning shot. Don't worry, right after sunrise they all leave the place pretty quickly. This trail is very easy, you park you car and walk 3 minutes.
•Badwater Basin: This is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. Death Valley is such an underrated National Park and Badwater Basin is a gem!
Length: 1.9 miles RT | Difficulty: Easy | Duration: 46 minutes
•Devil’s Golf Course: A unique geological feature. The salt flats of Devil's Golf Course were formed by the evaporation of an ancient lake that once filled Death Valley. Over time, the salt deposits were shaped by wind and rain, creating a landscape of jagged salt formations that resemble a golf course. This will take about 15 minutes.
• Artists Palette: A must-see while visiting Death Valley! The rocks are so colorful, these colors are from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chloride, which creates a rainbow effect, hence its name, Rainbow hill. It is located off of a one way Scenic loop road, so make sure you don't miss the turn off to the parking lot.
Legnth: 0.3 miles out and back (15 mins) | Difficulty: Easy.
• Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes: A unique and surreal landscape of sand dunes surrounded by mountains.
Legnth: ~2.8 miles | Difficulty: Moderate.
• Ubehebe Crater: A massive volcanic crater with a rim that is half a mile wide.
• Natural Bridge: This hike is approximately 2 miles round-trip and takes you through a scenic canyon with towering rock formations and colorful rock layers. The trail is not marked, so visitors should bring a map and be prepared for some challenging terrain. This will take about 1 hour.
• Golden Canyon Trail: The trail is approximately 3 miles long and takes hikers through a narrow canyon with towering rock formations, colorful rock layers, and stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. This will take about 2 hours.
• Scotty's Castle: Take a guided tour of Scotty's Castle, a historic house built in the 1920s by a famous con man and his wealthy friend.
When visiting Death Valley National Park, it's important to be well-prepared due to the extreme desert conditions. Here are some essential items to pack:
• Water: Carry an ample water supply.
• Sun Protection: Protect yourself from the intense desert sun. Bring sunscreen with a high SPF, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing to cover exposed skin.
• Hiking Gear: If you plan on hiking, pack appropriate gear such as sturdy hiking boots or shoes, comfortable and moisture-wicking clothing, a daypack, and trekking poles if desired.
• Food and Snacks: Bring lightweight, non-perishable food items and snacks to sustain your energy during your visit. There isn't much around the area.
• Maps and Guidebooks: Carry a map or guidebook specific to Death Valley National Park to navigate the park's trails and attractions. Consider downloading offline maps or using a GPS device. There is no cell service around the area and especially in the park itself.
• First Aid Kit: Pack a basic first aid kit that includes bandages, adhesive tape, pain relievers, insect repellent, antiseptic wipes, and any necessary prescription medications.
• Extra Clothing and Layers: Temperatures in Death Valley can vary significantly between day and night, so bring extra layers of clothing for warmth during cooler periods.
•There's no food around, not even a vending machine. Bring your own snacks and food.
•No Pets allowed.
•Leave no trace.