Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
Where Nature Pushes Every Limit
“There’s nothing worth seeing in Death Valley…” said no one ever who has actually been there.
Located in Inyo County, California nestled between the Panamint and Armagosa Mountain Ranges, Death Valley lies close to the Nevada border. Stretching across the Mojave Desert between towering mountains and the lowest elevation point in all of North America, it is one of the most diverse areas in the country. It’s the perfet spot for those seeking outdoor adventure yet wanting to explore a place that isn’t crazy crowded but rather completely underrated.
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What Makes Death Valley Worth Visiting
Death Valley is a Place of Extremes
Death Valley National Park often elicits a feeling of doom and gloom with names like Badwater Basin, Funeral Mountain, Coffin Canyon, and Devil’s Golf Course.
However, don’t let the names fool you!
It is actually one of the most interesting national parks in the U.S. due to its unparalleled diversity. The park covers over 3,000 square miles of land from Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, to Telescope Peak standing proud at 11,049 feet tall. This is an elevation drop steeper than the South Rim of the Grand Canyon!
In fact, it even ecompasses the largest escarpment in the U.S. - a steep slope that occurs from faulting and erosion rising from the valley floor to the top of its highest peak.
Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
Walk Below Sea Level at Badwater Basin
Take a walk below sea level at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in all of North America. You will literally be standing lower than the ocean.
Here you can walk out onto the desolate salt flats and marvel at hexagons of salt formed along the ground like honeycomb, salt crusted brittle plates, and salt domes rising up from the desert floor in a landscape that appears alien.
Nearby, you will find Devil’s Gold Course with its sharp jagged salt pinnacles, and Salt Creek - home of the pupfish which can somehow survive in its insanely salty water (twice that of the ocean) at temperatures over 90°F where you would not think a fish could thrive.
See Nature Paint the Hills at Artist's Palette
Take the approximate 10-mile scenic loop to Artist’s Palette, an area composed of vibrant colorful soils in shades of pinks and greens from mineral concentrations that make photos look photoshopped.
The colors here are not from paint or algae. Rather, this is nature’s chemistry experiment created from oxided metals.
Explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Hike the incredible Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes reaching heights over 100 feet tall against a backdrop of beautiful panoramic surrounding mountains. Hit the dunes at the right time of day and the pristine waves of sand cast picture perfect long shadows down the slopes. Just remember that for every 2 steps forward, you take one back when hiking dunes.
What’s interesting about Mesquite? The dunes appear to be endless yet they only stretch about 2 miles proving Death Valley is full of mysterious angles and optical illusions.
Listen to the Eureka Sand Dunes Sing
If you love venturing out to more remote spots, seek some solitude at Eureka Dunes. Eureka Dunes are the tallest dunes in the state soaring almost 700 feet tall above a dried up lakebed.
If you catch the dunes under just the right conditions, the sand might even “sing” to you - a rare phenomena that takes place when the sand is completely dry and avalanches down the steepest faces of the dunes, compressing air which creates an audible boom.
Visit the Mysterious Sailing Stones at Racetrack Playa
If you have time and a 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle, be sure not to miss exploring the Racetrack Playa. For decades, strange forces here have caused giant rocks to mysteriously move on their own - no footprints, no witnessess, just “sailing stones” floating across the dried up lake bed etching trails into the earth that can’t quite be explained.
Note: a 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is almost always required when visiting Racetrack Playa so be prepared.
Stand at the Edge of Ubehebe Crater
Stand and marvel at Ubehebe Crater, a maar volcano crater of vibrant colors stretching over a half mile across and 600 feet deep formed by undergrown explosions rather than being created by lava. If you are up for a little adventure, hike down and explore the depth of the crater, Just know that if you hike down, you must come back up and it’s steep!
Get Spooked at Rhyolite Ghost Town
Explore the ruins of Rhyolite, an old gold mining boom town that went from boom to bust in just a short 20 year span of time. Rhyolite was once home to 3 train lines, 3 newspapers, 3 hospitals, an opera, a symphony, and 53 saloons. Yet, it declined as quickly as it sprung to life as Rhyolite didn’t just fade away over time, it literally collapsed overnight. Spend some time wandering around the remnants of old buildings, historic sites, art installations, and even a glass-bottle home. It’s a great spot for photos.
Epic Viewpoints at Death Valley National Park
Death Valley features an endless array of stunning viewpoints several of which are must-sees and easy to get to.
Zabriske Point
Perhaps the best known viewpoint in Death Valley, and for sure the most photographed, is Zabriske Point. Known for its stunning sunrises, the rolling badlands greet each morning with vibrant shades of gold. The viewpoint is easy to reach. Just a short walk from the parking lot.
Dante’s Point
Dante’s Point is one of the highest viewpoints in the park offering panoramic views of Badwater Basin down below. It’s a beautiful spot to catch both the sun rising and the sun setting in the distance each day. Perhaps its most striking feature is the way the salt flats contrast with the dark mountains above on the horizon.
Artist’s Drive Viewpoints
Artist’s Drive is a one-way scenic loop that starts just north of Badwater Basin near Furnace Creek. The road spans about 10 miles with numerous turn-outs, twisting and turning past colorful hills and dramatic desert landscapes. Of course, the highlight is Artist’s Palette - hills painted by nature using oxidized metals. It’s surreal rainbow of colors are so vivid that they have to be seen to be believed.
When is the Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is known as the hottest place on earth having recorded the world’s highest air temperature of 134°F on July 10, 1913. Summer temperatures can easily exceed 120°F. For this reason alone, I avoid visiting in the summer.
In stark contrast, winters can be quite cold and windy with snow on the upper peaks. Even in the valley, night time temps can drop down below freezing especially in January. Winter days are also shorter giving you less time to explore.
I find the best time to visit is early spring or mid-fall when temperatures are more moderate. These seasons proivde more comforable temperatures with longer daylight hours making them the best time to hike and explore the park’s dramatic landscapes.
If you visit in spring after a rare rain, you might even be lucky enough to see a wildflower super bloom - an unusual, stunning sight that only happens when conditions are exactly right. Note that they never last more than about 7-10 days, sometimes less.
Death Valley Tips You'll Be Glad You Knew
Avoid visiting during extreme summer heat. Temperatures can reach has high as 120°F. When temperatures spike, do not hike. Even short jaunts can be extremely dangerous.
Timing is everything in desert landscapes. Best seasons to visit are early spring and mid-fall
Always carry more water than you think you need - a gallon per hour, per person is recommended.
Download digital offline maps and the NPS App before visiting. You will undoubetdly lose cell sevice.
Fuel your vehicle before entering the park and anytime you pass a gas station as they’re are far and few between. This park is huge with must-see sites spread out very far from one another. Don’t underestimate distances.
Dress in layers. Temps can drop dramatically throughout the day and night time temps are almost always cold once that sun goes down.
Wear closed-toe shoes. You WILL encounter sharp rocks and sand.
Watch the weather. Although rain is rare, flash floods are a real threat. Dirt roads can become impassible and easy to get stuck on in even a tiny bit of rain here.
Know your vehicle limits. Do not attempt to traverse down roads recommending 4-wheel drive and high clearance (e.g. the road to Racetrack Playa). If you get stuck, there is typically no cell service to call for help and help can take hours if not a full day to arrive.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need 4-wheel drive in Death Valley?
You do not need 4-wheel drive for many of the main sights like the Badwater Basin area, the Furnace Creek area, Zabriske Point, Artist’s Drive, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Dante’s Point, Ubehebe Crater, Panamint, or Ryholite Ghost Town. You will for Racetrack Playa, Eureka Dunes, and Saline Valley.
What’s the best time of year to visit Death Valley National Park?
Early spring and fall are the best times to visit. Summer temperatures can be dangerously hot and winters can be cold and windy. Extreme heat can start as early as late April.
Is Death Valley safe to visit?
Death Valley National Park is completely safe to visit as long as you are prepared. This means no hiking in extreme hike, bringing plenty of water, staying on designated roads, and fuel your car ofent as there are very few services inside the park.
How much water should I bring?
Carry at least one gallon of water per person for each day, more if you plan to do a lot of hiking.
Is there cell service in Death Valley?
Almost never. It is extremely limited so download offline maps and the NPS App before entering the park.
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Top 5 Things to Do in Inyo County - Gateaway to Death Valley
