21 Greatest Things to do in Death Valley National Park

Planning to go to Death Valley? Get prepared! Death Valley is the biggest US nationwide park outdoors of Alaska. It is the most popular and driest place in North America, and Badwater Basin is the bottom spot on the continent. Whew, Death Valley National Park has quite a bit occurring, however that’s not all! Located in each California and Nevada, Death Valley National Park was established in 1994 after holding the title of Death Valley National Monument for 5 many years. And in 2013, it was fittingly designated as a Dark Sky Preserve.

It is well one of the crucial memorable locations to go to for distinctive surroundings. And as an added bonus, there are a lot of superb issues to do in Death Valley National Park.

Top issues to do in Death Valley National Park

Note: The space has been coping with excessive climate situations and a few roads are closed in Death Valley as a result of flood harm. At the time of publishing, many roads are closed together with CA 190 west of Stovepipe and Badwater Road and Daylight Pass and Towne Pass are closed. See the National Parks Services Website for up-to-date info.

This information will concentrate on one of the best issues to do in Death Valley National Park. We’ll cowl all the pieces from Natural Bridge to mountain climbing trails alongside the valley ground. Prepare your self for some inspiring, thrilling issues to do on this California nationwide park. If you might be doing a self-drive by way of Death Valley, pick up this GPS driving tour. It highlights most of the high Death Valley points of interest.

• Safety Tips for Death Valley National Park: As we talked about, Death Valley is the most popular and driest place in North America, so:
  • make certain to have an ample provide of water earlier than visiting
  • keep on paved roads, and let folks know the place you’re going and if you plan to return.
  • If you intend on visiting any distant locations in Death Valley, contemplate conveying with two or extra automobiles ought to a breakdown happen.
  • Make positive you will have a full tank of gasoline and carry a paper map alongside together with your GPS and cellphone.

1. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

If you might be on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Death Valley National Park, sandboarding at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is well among the best. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are Death Valley’s hottest and simply accessible sand dunes, and a few dunes tower as excessive as 100 toes. Even if you happen to don’t fancy sandboarding, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are an important place to launch your internal baby and try to run down the sandy slopes.

Mesquite Sand Dunes are simply reached off the 190, and a pretty big car parking zone is simply off the roadside. We counsel getting there early, so the sand dunes are nonetheless cool underfoot. There is not any sandboarding leases within the park, so you might want to deliver your individual gear.

2. Artist’s Palette

Artist’s Palette is a shocking viewpoint overlooking a group of pastel-hued hills. The hills turned their distinctive coloration after hundreds of thousands of years of oxidation and weathering, and now guests flock to come back to view the phenomenon. The viewpoint will get its identify, the ‘Artist’s Palette,’ from the mix of colours.

Artist’s Palette is positioned on Artist’s Drive loop positioned, simply off Badwater Road. There is a tiny path from the parking and bathroom amenities to the perspective itself, and it is extremely simply reached if you’re brief on time. The attraction sits alongside the 9-mile Artist’s Drive loop, which is an attraction in its personal proper. It is value permitting additional time to take pleasure in driving Artist’s Drive at leisure.

Check out this highly rated tour departs from Las Vegas within the early hours of the morning to succeed in the desert for stargazing and dawn.

3. Natural Bridge

If you possibly can’t make it to the sandstone arches of Arches National Park; Natural Bridge is an enormous, jagged arch that towers 35 toes above the canyon ground. Natural Bridge was fashioned by a uncommon sequence of flash floods over hundreds of years. Visitors can hike to the bridge to stroll beneath and admire the geological formation in all its glory. Visiting Natural Bridge is without doubt one of the most spectacular issues to do in Death Valley.

You must hike to Natural Bridge, however the route is just a 2-mile spherical journey. It is the proper hike if you happen to don’t need to stroll lengthy distances within the warmth, are in a rush, or touring as a household. You additionally get a gorgeous view of the salt flats on the return hike, positive to maintain your spirits up.

Natural Bridge Trailhead is accessed by way of a dust street off Badwater Road. You’ll discover loads of parking on the finish however beware that the filth street situations will be tough. It is value checking the street situations on the National Park Service web site earlier than you try it. It is finest suited to 4WD due to the chance of deep potholes.

This photography tour allows you to discover Death Valley by day and night time. Besides visiting its sand dunes, canyons, and wildlife, you’ll watch the sundown and keep into the starry night time to benefit from the darkish sky protect. Details here

4. Devil’s Golf Course

Devil’s Golf Course’s identify might need you stumped about what it may very well be. The attraction is a salt pan, however the ground is so jagged and uneven that an outdated National Park Service guidebook quipped that ‘only the Devil could play golf there’. The salt pan ground is a far cry from its clean salt flat neighbor Badwater Basin (which we’ll take a look at in additional element later), and also you’ll discover limitless stalagmites. Some salt spikes are two toes excessive, so that you’ll be fastidiously choosing your approach round a boardwalk slightly than strolling throughout the salt pan itself.

The Devil’s Golf Course was as soon as lined by a lake, which evaporated and left behind a thick layer of salt and minerals – creating the pure phenomenon you see in the present day. We extremely counsel bringing a digital camera for this attraction, as it’s simply one of the crucial placing issues to do in Death Valley.

This full-day explorer tour by Trekker will be booked from Las Vegas the place you hop aboard a custom-built Tour Trekker automobile with stops together with  Furnace Creek, Devil’s Golf Course, Badwater, Zabriskie Point, and extra

5. Twenty Mule Team Canyon

Twenty Mule Team Canyon is without doubt one of the most scenic filth tracks you’ll see in your life. The brief 2.5-mile street takes you thru a variety of gorgeous badlands, that are filled with pastel colours and uniquely formed by erosion. The drive could also be brief, however you’ll need to cease for pictures, so permit not less than half an hour to expertise it.

Twenty Mule Team Canyon isn’t simply well-known amongst vacationers both. Movie administrators have flocked to make use of the positioning for main productions, together with Return of the Jedi. Star Wars followers ought to prioritize visiting Twenty Mule Team Canyon once they go to Death Valley.

The scenic drive is simple to succeed in, and also you flip off the 190 onto 20 Mule Team Road earlier than shortly reaching the filth observe turnoff. Twenty Mule Team Canyon is simply half an hour’s drive from Furnace Creek Visitor Center. It is well-combined with a go to to close by Zabriskie Point and Harmony Borax Works.

6. Golden Canyon

Are you prepared for an unimaginable hike? Golden Canyon Trail is a shocking route by way of a honey-colored ravine on a clearly marked path. You’ll need your digital camera for this one; Golden Canyon’s attractiveness have attracted the likes of Star Wars film producers.

The path is a 2-mile spherical journey with a brief 3-foot rock scramble. The scramble is untechnical and appropriate for anyone with good health and dependable footwear, so total, the hike is simple to deal with in Death Valley National Park. Most hikers hike to Red Cathedral as an endpoint, though you possibly can select to go additional in order for you an additional problem.

Golden Canyon can also be positioned simply outdoors of Furnace Creek. The trailhead is only a 7-minute drive from Furnace Creek Visitor Center – making it a simple addition to a busy itinerary. You’ll discover a big car parking zone and restrooms on the Golden Canyon Trailhead, accessed on a turnoff from Badwater Road.

This highly rated tour provides a full day from Vegas with a personal information and a {custom} itinerary. And one of the best half? You’ll have knowledgeable photographer with you taking photographs of your entire journey.

7. Zabriskie Point

Visiting Zabriskie Point is without doubt one of the most lovely issues to do in Death Valley National Park. The viewpoint overlooks hilly, wrinkled badlands tinged in pastel, sandy colours. If you desire a dawn or sundown spot – Zabriskie Point is the one for you.

Zabriskie Point was fashioned when Furnace Creek Lake dried up round 5 million years in the past. The sediments left behind fashioned the gorgeous hills, and erosion over time formed the panorama into what it’s in the present day.

Zabriskie Point is virtually on the roadside. You drive on the 190 from Furnace Creek in direction of Death Valley Junction, turning off into Zabriskie Point Parking Lot to hike the brief path to the perspective. It is simple to entry and is a superb place to begin your day, conveniently close by Furnace Creek and the Visitor Center.

8. Badwater Basin

Visiting Badwater Basin is without doubt one of the most fascinating issues to do in Death Valley. Badwater Basin is the bottom level in North America, at 282 toes beneath sea degree. Badwater Basin has round 200 sq. miles of salt flats to discover – the biggest protected salt flats on the earth.

After it rains, Badwater Basin can seem mirror-like because the water displays off the salt crystals. Badwater Basin seems to be like snow when it’s dry, and the salt flats are organized in small round patterns alongside the valley ground.

Badwater Basin is accessible by way of a brief path off Badwater Road. You’ll discover a rest room block and parking space close to its trailhead. Badwater Basin is positioned extraordinarily near the Devil’s Golf Course and Dante’s View. Consider combining these three points of interest if you happen to drive down Badwater Road to succeed in Badwater Basin.

9. Scotty’s Castle

Death Valley isn’t all geology and mountain climbing trails, and Scotty’s Castle is proof of that. The ‘castle’ isn’t a lot a citadel however an unlimited mansion, and its story is a mix of historical past and native tradition. Visitors can guide guided excursions of the constructing in the present day and uncover the story in individual, however we’ll offer you a fast rundown right here.

The mansion was constructed by Albert Mussey Johnson for himself and his spouse to make use of as an opulent trip residence. However, Walter Scott overtly satisfied the group that he had constructed it by earning money by way of secret mines in Death Valley. The mansion coined the identify Scotty’s Castle, and a cloud of thriller concerning the mansion’s ‘real story’ is stored alive by native legends.

Either approach, the mansion is unimaginable to tour – whisking guests again to the roaring 20s and 30s. You can admire in depth woodwork furnishings and particulars, and sadly additionally witness the impression of the 2015 floods, which broken the home extensively in some areas.

10. Darwin Falls

Waterfalls aren’t the most typical sight in Death Valley. In truth, Darwin Falls is sort of a uncommon year-round waterfall, as there’s solely a handful within the nationwide park. The falls are surrounded by life – from flora, together with aquatic vegetation, to animals like tree frogs and even bighorn sheep. Darwin Falls is considerably of a desert oasis, and lifeforms flock to the waters for survival.

Darwin Falls is a shocking sight, and the waterfall drops 18 toes in a fairly cascade. Darwin Falls is accessed by a two-mile spherical journey hike, which takes round two hours to finish and has an elevation achieve of 450 toes. The normal recommendation is to keep away from mountain climbing after 10 am in hotter months. You can’t swim to chill off, so purpose to hike within the early morning when it’s good and funky.

The trailhead is positioned off of Old Toll Road on a protracted filth observe, and there’s a massive car parking zone to make use of proper subsequent to the start of the path. It is value noting that the observe is fairly tough and requires a 4WD automobile. You could want to examine with a ranger or web site for updates on the street situations.

11. Rhyolite Ghost Town

Rhyolite Ghost Town is positioned simply on the outskirts of Death Valley, on the jap facet of the park throughout the Nevada border. Rhyolite is an outdated, deserted mining city, and light-weight and energy had been turned off for the city in 1916 following the closures of mines and banks. However, these days, there’s nonetheless a lot left behind to discover.

The outdated financial institution is (nearly) nonetheless standing, as is the practice depot and Tom Kelly’s Bottle House. It can also be value stopping by Goldwell Open Air Museum for an out of doors sculpture backyard. Rhyolite is the proper spot for these concerned with historical past and visiting deserted websites.

Rhyolite Ghost Town is sort of a drive, simply over an hour from Furnace Creek. We counsel breaking the drive up by stopping at Hell’s Gate on the way in which. Hells Gate is a scenic cease to admire Daylight Pass Road’s gorgeous environment and go to the Death Valley National Park Information Area.

12. Eureka Dunes

Eureka Dunes are an important attraction on your itinerary. In brief, the dunes are huge. They are the biggest in California, and a few controversially declare they’re the tallest in North America. Some dunes rise over 680 toes – don’t be getting concepts about sandboarding, although. Eureka Dunes are closed to sandboarding, sand snowboarding, and sledding to guard delicate flora. And who can blame the National Park Service? Eureka Dunes are one of the crucial spectacular pure points of interest within the US.

Even although you possibly can’t take pleasure in sand sports activities, you possibly can nonetheless hike the dunes. Listen fastidiously when you do, as you could hear the ‘singing sand’. Something concerning the sand grains transferring collectively creates a gorgeous sound, which seems like an organ bass observe. Keep your eyes peeled for desert flora, too, because the dunes are lined in flowers like Eureka Dunes Evening Primrose and Shining Milkvetch.

13. Saline Valley Dunes

Visiting Saline Valley Dunes is without doubt one of the lesser-known issues to do in Death Valley National Park. These sand dunes are a lot decrease than the others in Death Valley, and though sandboarding is permitted, the dunes are additionally far more suited to mountain climbing.

Death Valley’s sand dunes trigger fairly the stir, regardless of solely masking 1% of the nationwide park. Saline Valley Dunes and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the one dunes that permit actions like sandboarding. Choose one in every of these sand dunes if you wish to strive sand sports. Saline Valley is right for many who need to get additional off the overwhelmed observe and like points of interest with fewer crowds. The dunes have the gorgeous 10,000 toes excessive Inyo Mountains as a scenic backdrop.

Getting to the dunes requires a enjoyable, however demanding drive down a tough street, typically inaccessible as a result of flash floods and snow. The street is positioned off Saline Valley Road and requires a automobile with excessive clearance and 4WD. The journey begins earlier than you even attain the car parking zone.

14. Telescope Peak

We have lined the bottom level in Death Valley (Badwater Basin), however what concerning the highest level? Well, that may be Telescope Peak. Telescope Peak is the tallest mountain in Death Valley and the proper problem for mountain climbing and climbing lovers.

Hiking the mountain is not any imply feat, and also you’ll deal with 3,000 toes of elevation in a 14-mile, 7-hour spherical journey. The trailhead is positioned at Mahogany Flat Campground, and reaching it’s an adventurous mission. You want a 4WD to entry the campground and parking space, and also you’ll get a style of tough (virtually off-road) observe driving earlier than you even start your hike. We advocate staying at Mahogany Flat Campground the night time earlier than and after your stroll to maximise your daylight and vitality ranges.

While technically a single-day hike, we advocate setting apart not less than one night to camp in a single day on the campground. Still, Telescope Peak is well added to your itinerary. It can also be proper subsequent to the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns – an excellent attraction to mix together with your hike.

15. Harmony Borax Works

Have you heard of the Harmony Borax Works earlier than? The borax plant was as soon as a thriving enterprise, with 40 employed employees and three tons of borax produced day by day. The firm was positioned in Furnace Creek and massively contributed to the city’s recognition and development within the late nineteenth century. Nowadays, you possibly can stroll across the website on a paved 0.4-mile loop – stopping to learn informative panels and think about shows alongside the way in which.

Visiting Harmony Borax Works is without doubt one of the most historic issues to do in Death Valley National Park. And whereas the positioning is small, it’s formally held on the National Register of Historical Places and is a well known vacationer attraction. The wagons from Harmony Borax Works coined the identify ’20 mule groups’ as a result of they used massive teams of mules to move all of the borax. You could acknowledge the phrase from Twenty Mule Team Canyon.

16. Manzanar National Historic Site

Manzanar is one other unimaginable attraction positioned simply outdoors the nationwide park boundaries. If you might be staying on the outskirts or taking a California street journey, it’s effectively value stopping by Manzanar. The website was one in every of ten websites the place Japanese Americans had been incarcerated throughout World War II. It is a captivating, typically harrowing place to find part of historical past that isn’t as broadly lined.

You can go to anytime between dawn and sundown, maybe reserving a guided tour in order for you a extra informative, interactive expertise. If you had been planning on climbing Mt Inyo, the positioning can also be en path to the trailhead, so don’t rule out Manzanar right away based mostly on distance.

17. Mosaic Canyon

Ready for one more lovely canyon? Mosiac Canyon is a deep ravine fashioned by flash floods over hundreds of thousands of years. It will get its identify from its distinctive partitions, the place flood waters filled with grit have polished the marble partitions, and tiny fragments have change into locked in pure cement.

The route is in no way straightforward. It is rated as a reasonable to troublesome hike and requires lots of boulder scrambling and an adventurous spirit to cross sure sections. However, the place there’s a will, there’s a approach, and also you’ll simply want a good health degree and good footwear to finish this path. The path is round 4 miles out and again; you must permit three hours to finish it.

18. Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

Do you bear in mind us mentioning that Wildrose Charcoal Kilns had been close to Telescope Peak? Well, the kilns are points of interest in their very own proper. The kilns appear like bizarrely formed homes and have a big gap on the entrance the place you possibly can enter inside. They had been inbuilt 1877 to create charcoal for native mines, however they’ve lengthy since been retired. Now, Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are empty – other than when a vacationer like your self stops to poke their head in and have a look.

There are ten kilns, all structured in a single line and about 25 toes excessive. The kilns are in wonderful situation, which makes them incredible for vacationers and has stored them firmly marked as worthy points of interest in Death Valley. If you’d wish to study extra concerning the early mining business, Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are a good way to take action.

19. Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater needs to be on the high of your to-do checklist if you happen to’ve by no means seen a volcanic crater. Ubehebe Crater is gigantic. It is sort of the sight, 600 toes deep and half a mile broad. Ubehebe Crater remains to be an ashy, darkish grey coloration, which provides to the dramatic enchantment.

If you need, you possibly can hike right down to the underside of the primary crater. However, you must do not forget that mountain climbing again up is exhausting and extremely strenuous. Walking across the crater rim is quite a bit simpler. However, it’s nonetheless classed as a reasonable hike due to the uneven footing. Take your time on the Ubehebe Crater Rim Trail, and plan a lot of breaks to stop slipping and harm. The 2-mile loop might not be lengthy, but it surely pays to take your time – plus, you’ll have gorgeous views when you relaxation.

20. Racetrack Playa

Have you ever wished that you might stroll on the moon? If so, Racetrack Playa is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Death Valley National Park. The dry lake is a scene from the moon touchdown and is a dramatic, lunar-like panorama to discover and get incredible footage of.

Racetrack Playa will get its identify from its crusing stones, that are monumental rocks moved by a mix of rain, making the bottom slippery and wind pushing the rocks alongside. The tracks that the crusing stones go away appear like race tracks – giving Racetrack Playa its identify. It is broadly believed that no person has ever seen the rocks transferring, however who is aware of? Maybe you’ll get fortunate.

21. Dante’s View

Dante’s View is a scenic viewpoint that towers 5,575 toes above Badwater Basin and sits on a ridge of the Black Mountains. Surrounded by mountains and completely fanned by the sunshine breeze, you possibly can take pleasure in spectacular views over the panorama and dramatic salt flats beneath. Visiting Dante’s View is about having fun with a distinct perspective, and viewing Badwater Basin from above is really humbling.

Dante’s View is widespread always of the day. Sunrise and sundown are understandably sought-after instances, and the salt flats look gorgeous illuminated by first and final mild. However, it’s also possible to go to at night time for unimaginable night time sky views. In case you didn’t know, Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park well-known for its gorgeous night time sky. Head to Dante’s View after a busy day of sightseeing to chill out and unwind below vibrant constellations and taking pictures stars.

Death Valley FAQs

Now that we’ve lined all one of the best issues to do in Death Valley National Park let’s take a look at some important info. These are the most typical Death Valley FAQs; let’s dive straight in.

How to get to Death Valley

First off, let’s set up Death Valley’s location. The nationwide park straddles the California/Nevada border, though many of the park falls in California.

Because of Death Valley’s inland location, the best solution to attain the nationwide park is to fly into Las Vegas. Those wanting the quickest solution to Death Valley ought to fly into Las Vegas Airport, hire a car to drive to Death Valley, or guide a guided tour.

Of course, if you happen to aren’t on a time restrict, you might get your journey on and take a California street journey, maybe exploring Northern California alongside the way in which. If you might be actually up for an journey, you might lengthen your journey and end in Las Vegas – the place you possibly can fly residence. Death Valley is ideally positioned for a street journey; if in case you have the time, that is probably the most enjoyable solution to get to the nationwide park.

Getting round Death Valley

As the biggest nationwide park, Death Valley’s public transport system leaves a lot to be desired. You gained’t discover any public buses or shuttles, so your solely choice is to buy a guided tour or rent a car to drive round.

Allow a day to get round Death Valley and see your high few points of interest. And, if you happen to don’t need to drive for thus many hours in a single day, it’s value discovering in a single day lodging to maximise your expertise.

Before you set off driving or in your tour, it’s all the time value checking for street closure and trail updates in Death Valley on-line. The desert panorama is likely to be lovely, however you don’t need to drive the size of Daylight Pass Road earlier than realizing you’ve received to show round. Remember that gasoline stations are additionally restricted in Death Valley. If you cross Furnace Creek, high up on the Furnace Creek Gas Station – one of the crucial centrally positioned choices and accessible gasoline stations to mix with sightseeing.

Where to remain in Death Valley

So, the place must you keep in Death Valley? These are our high suggestions that you might select from.

Budget: Panamint Springs Resort

Panamint Springs Resort is a funds traveler’s best spot in Death Valley. The resort is family-run and provides an impressively versatile vary of lodging selections, together with a campsite, a collection of cabins, and customary resort rooms.

The resort has its personal gasoline station, normal retailer, and bathe amenities for campers. Plus, there’s a breakfast buffet served day by day. It is the proper place to base your self in order for you budget-friendly lodging inside the boundaries of Death Valley National Park. 

Mid-Range: Delight’s Hot Springs Resort

Delight’s Hot Springs Resort sits simply outdoors Death Valley and is the proper base for simple entry to the nationwide park. The resort has 4 spring water swimming swimming pools – two indoor and two out of doors to which company have 24-hour entry. There can also be a free parking space and a 24-hour reception desk.

Delight’s Hot Springs Resort has an ideal steadiness of inexpensive luxurious, attentive hospitality, and a handy location.

Luxury: The Inn at Death Valley

The Inn at Death Valley is likely to be listed as a three-star property however don’t be fooled; that is one of the best luxurious choice within the nationwide park. The location is dreamy, and also you’ll be within the middle of Death Valley, simply outdoors Furnace Creek. The property provides a variety of rooms, suites, and a bungalow, so you possibly can all the time splash out for a bit of additional luxurious.

Guests obtain entry to a sauna, a completely geared up health club, two spring-fed swimming pools, a golf course, and tennis courts. Death Valley isn’t identified for its city facilities, so having a resort with loads of leisure actions is a large bonus.

The finest time to go to Death Valley

Death Valley makes an important vacation spot in early spring. The temperatures are cool, the wildflowers are out, and it’s the finest time to comfortably take pleasure in all of the issues to do in Death Valley National Park. It can get slightly busy, as that is the most well-liked time to go to Death Valley, however it’s definitely worth the crowds for the gorgeous situations. Late March and April are one of the best months in spring.

October is your month if in case you have your coronary heart set on avoiding crowds. You gained’t get the wildflowers. However, autumn brings cooler climate that’s excellent for exploring the valley ground. Visiting Death Valley in October is a pleasing, quieter expertise.

When must you keep away from Death Valley? Well, it doesn’t take a genius to determine that the summer season isn’t one of the best time to go to Death Valley. In summer season, the California desert is unhospitable and unpleasantly sizzling. Stick to visiting in March or April if you happen to don’t thoughts the crowds and October or November if you happen to don’t thoughts lacking the spring bloom.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve visited Death Valley, you must positively return for a second go to. There are so many issues to do in Death Valley National Park, and even visiting Death Valley in several seasons can drastically change your expertise. The nationwide park has among the best hikes in California. It can also be inside driving distance of different incredible nationwide parks like Yosemite.

We hope you will have a incredible time in Death Valley. Take our recommendation and expertise as lots of its points of interest as attainable. These Death Valley ‘things to do’ are positive to ensure you a memorable journey.