Death Valley Travel Guide - thumbnail

Death Valley

In a lonely spot in the northern Mojave Desert, a visit to Death Valley is an opportunity to dance with nature’s extreme forces that converge in this low, hot, and dry desert valley. Death Valley is a superb travel destination for desert lovers and adventurers hunting for that off-the-grid allure. 

1

Why Visit Death Valley?

Hottest, Driest, Lowest: Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth, the driest U.S. national park, and features the lowest elevation in North America. These extremes come together to form one unforgettable adventure.

The Landscape: A spectacular desert where nearly all colors of the rainbow can be seen on deeply eroded canyon walls, dry lakes, and sand dunes. Don’t trust the name, Death Valley is alive in so many ways.

Off The Grid Vibe: It isn’t rare to see no other human for several hours during the day, and nothing but millions of stars in the night sky. In Death Valley, even the smallest outing requires planning. 

2

When To Go?

Generally speaking, the best time to visit Death Valley is during the spring, followed by fallHere’s what you can expect during each season at Death Valley.

Winter: the days are pleasantly warm but the nights are very cold so pack accordingly. The short winter days mean less daytime sightseeing which may justify overnighting inside the park. The occasional rainfall might cause flash flooding so stay cautious and alert. 

Spring: the days are getting longer and daytime temperatures are still manageable. If winter has brought rainfall this year, flowers and wildlife will make you question Death Valley’s name

Summer: it now seems that Death Valley’s name does it justice. Daytime temperatures are extreme (to say the least) and the night brings little relief. That said, the days are long so if you can handle the heat, there’s a lot of ground that can be covered. When visiting Death Valley during the summer, you must be well-prepared and exercise extreme caution.

Fall: average daytime temperatures are beginning to decrease but it’s still very hot. This is a great time to visit Death Valley, though very little flora has managed to survive the scorching summer.  

3

How Many Days Do You Need?

Most of Death Valley’s prime highlights can be experienced in a single day, even if visiting Death Valley on a day trip. Spending the night inside the park unlocks opportunities to experience glorious sunsets and stargazing. If you have two days to spend in Death Valley, you can pretty much cover all the park’s highlights, including one or two distant spots. 

4

Where To Stay?

Inside the National Park

The park’s sole luxury option is the Inn at Death Valley. In furnace Creek, the historic Ranch at Death Valley is a popular option with a prime location in the valley’s “commercial hub”. Another solid option is the motel at Stovepipe Wells which also features a reasonably-priced gas station, mini-market, campground, and a restaurant. Slightly out of the way, the Panamint Springs Resort is the third option.

As far as camping, there are ten campsites in Death Valley with varying degrees of popularity and services.

Outside the National Park

On your in or out of Death Valley, towns on its periphery can serve as a gateway or as a nightly refuge. For those en route to Yosemite or Lake Tahoe, the town of Lone Pine is a good option, Barstow is the first town with proper motels along Interstate 15 south of Death Valley, and Beatty is just beyond the Nevada state line.

5

What To Do?

Most of Death Valley’s star attractions are located in and around Furnace Creek and Badwater. These include panoramic lookouts, short hikes, and scenic drives. In the more distant sections of the park, you’ll find superb road trips on backcountry roads, Ubehebe Crater, longer hikes, and even a desert oasis. Here’s a guide to the top 10 things to do in Death Valley.

2 days in death valley itinerary - post cover
2 Days In Death Valley Itinerary
Covering the best spots in Death Valley and a few adventurous thrills, discover how to spend 2 days in Death Valley with this itinerary
best hikes in death valley - post cover
The Best Hikes In Death Valley
From the short to the challenging, discover the best hikes in Death Valley National Park including hikes in remote sections of Death Valley
1 day in Death Valley itinerary - post cover
1 Day In Death Valley Itinerary
Covering the best spots in Death Valley, discover how to spend 1 day or a day trip in Death Valley with this itinerary. Let's start planning!
Death Valley Travel Guide- post cover
Death Valley Travel Guide
Get expert advice, essential travel tips and learn about the top things do in Death Valley National Park with this in-depth Death Valley Travel Guide
See More
Traveling to Tahiti With the Family
Summer in Sicily! Road-tripping In Italy’s Largest Island
12 Interesting Facts About Hawaii
A Tale Of The Greatest American Road Trip
How To Choose the Right Hawaiian Island for Your Vacation
Hawaii Or Tahiti: Which Paradise To Choose?
The Mystery Islands of Polynesia 
Traveling in French Polynesia During COVID: Part 2 – Maupiti
Traveling in French Polynesia During COVID: Part 4 – Rurutu
Traveling in French Polynesia During COVID: Part 7 – Nuku Hiva & Moorea
St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin – a Behind the Scenes Tour
The Longest Day of The Year At The Festival of Music in Paris
Meet The Couple Sailing Around The World
The Best Scenic Drives In The World
A Hawaiian Song of Fire and Ice
201 countries by the age of 30: meet the Vagabjorn
Is Maui All That It’s Hyped Up To Be?
Aloha! Welcome to the Big Island of Hawaii
10 Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Senior Travel
The Best Hikes In Joshua Tree National Park
Spice Up Your Inbox
Join the growing XDAYSINY.COM community and receive inspiring travel stories and useful news from time to time