Death Valley National Park

California is associated with Hollywood, bustling cities, beaches and a sunny climate, but it also hides a very different face – Death Valley.
It is the lowest-lying and hottest national park in North America, a land of extremes where desert landscapes sit side by side with snow-capped mountain peaks, and baking sunshine contrasts with cool nights.

Death Valley is a national park in the eastern part of California, near the Nevada border. It is a park known for its extreme weather conditions, which make it the hottest place on the planet, according to many. It was in the Death Valley area, or more precisely in Furnace Creek, that the highest air temperature was recorded: it was as high as 56.7 degrees Celsius, and this measurement was made in 1913 and is officially considered the hottest place on earth.

The coldest month is January, when the average temperature here is 18 degrees Celsius (the record for this month: 32 degrees), and the warmest month is July, when the average temperature is as high as 46 degrees!

So if you are planning a visit to Death Valley we recommend not traveling here from June to September (or even April to October). We in Death Valley National Park were in early April and the thermometers showed 40 degrees and it was the first time in many trips when the temperature overcame us and took away the total pleasure of being outside (and believe us, we like it warm ;) ). Staying, let alone…. running! Being here, one realizes what a huge challenge the well-known Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is, which starts in Badwater Basin and is considered the toughest run in the world.

If you’re wondering what makes it such extremely high temperatures here, we hasten to answer. Well, the valley is surrounded by mountains, which effectively trap the clouds that bring precipitation, and warm air is thus sort of trapped in the valley.

Nevertheless, when looking at this national park, let’s not limit ourselves to just these temperatures. Here is also the lowest and driest place in North America, and the park itself in terms of area is the largest in the US, leaving aside Alaska’s huge national parks (its area is as much as 13,628 km²). The park is famous for its desert landscape, which includes a dried-up lake, colorful rocks and snow-capped mountain peaks.

The views are stunning, and although the temperatures make it not easy to spend hours outside, it is worth stopping at least for a while at the viewpoints to admire the desert and the surrounding mountains.

Death Valley is located in the Mojave Desert, and the area has been a national park since 1994.
Currently, more than one million tourists visit the park each year.

Journey through the Valley of Death

Like other national parks in the US, it is possible (and even necessary) to travel around the park by car. We drove to Death Valley National Park from the east, and from this side we will show you how our trip was and where to stop.

Importantly, there is no Visitor Center in Death Valley National Park at the entrance. Ba, there are not even entry gates here. Driving from the Las Vegas side, there is only a bay with a Pay Station, where you have to pay at a vending machine for entry (there is also an option to pay at the Visitor Center). If you are an America the Beautiful Annual Pass holder then, of course, you don’t have to pay anything here.

At the payment machine there are maps of the park that you can take for yourself, and there is also a restroom next to it.

The Visitor Center is much farther away, as it is only in Furnace Creek, so we recommend taking a map already at the entrance, because many points of interest are there before you even get there, and it is pointless to go back later.

The most interesting points in Death Valley

Immediately after the vending machines is the first descent to the viewpoint overlooking Death Valley. Literally after 2 minutes, turn left to the Dante’s View viewpoint. Admittedly, you have to drive as far as 20 kilometers to reach the point itself, but at the end you are at the highest viewpoint in the park, which you can reach by car (1,669 meters above sea level). For those willing, it is possible to approach Dante’s View Peak Lookout on foot (about 0.5 kilometers one way).

Ready-to-use interactive map with more than 700 points in the Western US. You can find it in our store in the category of travel planners »

The journey to the next point can be made more pleasant by entering the one-way, unpaved Twenty Mule Team Road, which leads through a less traveled area. Admittedly, later section you have to return along the same road, but if someone wants to get off the beaten track it is worth it.

And another viewpoint is Zabriskie Point. A well-known, easily accessible point to which parking is available just off Highway 190. From here you only have to walk a short distance uphill and you stand on a point from where you have a view of the valley and the badlands.

From Zabriskie Point, you can drive to Furnace Creek and then backtrack a bit to head to the most famous place in the national park, Badwater Basin, or you can go straight there and visit the Visitor Center later.

Furnace Creek

It is here that the Visitor Center building is located, and right in front stands…. thermometer, if anyone would like to verify that the readings in the car do not lie ;)

At the Visitor Center you will meet Rangers, i.e. park employees, who will suggest where to go and where it is better not to go, give Junior Ranger Activity Books (sensational activity books for children), you can buy souvenirs here, and there is an exhibition waiting to introduce Death Valley itself (all in air-conditioned rooms, of course).

This is also where you’ll find the most expensive gas station we’ve seen in all our travels in the US.

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is a lake, although, of course, water can be seen here rarely, which, however, it must be emphasized, happens and sometimes lasts for several months (this should be regarded as a rarity, as it usually lasts for a month or two at the most). A more common sight is a dried-up lake with white patches of salt. The name Badwater means “bad water” and comes from the fact that the water here is undrinkable and heavily salted.

To reach the most prominent place in Death Valley, head south from Furnace Creek. From the Visitor Center it is less than 19 miles to drive, which should take slightly more than 20 minutes assuming no stops along the way.

There are designated parking spaces, a restroom and a footbridge (also adapted for the disabled) on which you can descend to the bottom of the lake. After stepping off the footbridge, one descends onto crackling hardened salt underfoot. You can walk freely here, taking care of nature, of course, but as a rule, high temperatures do not allow you to spend too much time outside and most people quickly head back to their air-conditioned cars.

Artist’s Palette

Between Furnace Creek and Badwater Basin is a one-way road leading to Artist’s Palette. It is a picturesque geological formation famous for its intense and varied colors including shades of pink, yellow, green and purple. These rocks owe their colors to the presence of various minerals, such as iron, magnesium and copper.

It’s probably best to get here at sunrise or sunset, when the light further emphasizes the colors of the rocks, because at noon we have to admit that it didn’t look as stunning as in the photos on the Internet (probably this is also due to additional processing ;) ).

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

If one dreams of seeing a classic desert with sand dunes, there is such a place in Death Valley. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are vast sand dunes that attract numerous tourists and photographers. These dunes consist mainly of fine, light-colored sand that has been transported by the wind from the surrounding mountains. Mesquite Flat’s landscape is especially captivating at sunrise and sunset, when long shadows create dramatic patterns on the surface of the sand.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are located near Stovepipe Wells – this is the first point with parking, entering from the west.

Other points

The above places are the perfect plan for a day in Death Valley. However, if you have more time on site then it is worth considering these places in addition:

• Ubehebe Crater – an impressive volcanic crater located in the northern part of Death Valley. It is about 800 meters in diameter and 230 meters deep, making it one of the most famous craters in the region. Ubehebe Crater was formed about 2,000 years ago as a result of a violent volcanic eruption.
• Racetrack Valley or Racetrack Playa – a place that for a long time was considered mysterious, where unexplained things happened. It’s all about the movement of stones and leaving mysterious footprints behind. Surprisingly, until recently, no one was able to explain how this happens, until finally an experiment allowed scientists to understand that the key to success is a few conditions that must be met for the stones to start moving (this happens once every few years).

Death Valley National Park with children

Is Death Valley National Park a good choice if traveling with children? As a rule, we answer that any national park in the US is always a good choice, it is especially in the case of Death Valley that such a trip must be well planned and properly prepared.

This remarkable park offers many attractions that may interest younger travelers, such as the colorful rock formations at Artist’s Palette, the spectacular Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and the impressive Ubehebe Crater (what child wouldn’t want to see a real crater?). Children can enjoy exploring nature, wandering through boundless spaces and observing unique flora and fauna.

However, extreme weather conditions should be kept in mind, especially in summer when temperatures can be dangerously high. When going to Death Valley, make sure to stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun and avoid the hottest times of the day. When planning a trip during a cooler period, such as autumn or spring, you can enjoy more comfortable conditions.

With the right precautions, Death Valley can become a fascinating and educational place for the whole family. And to emphasize this educational aspect, we recommend going to the Visitor Center for a start, where an interesting exhibition about the animals and plants of Death Valley awaits. Be sure to pick up the special Junior Ranger Activity Book here. These are thin activity books for children that encourage them to observe nature, look for animals and plants, and learn about geology.

After completing all tasks, you have to meet the ranger again, show the completed tasks and take a special oath. Children will then get special badges that they can pin to their clothes, for example.

Practical information about Death Valley National Park.

Below we have prepared a handful of practical information about Death Valley National Park.

Worth knowing:

Here are the most important tips before visiting Death Valley to keep in mind:

• The temperatures in the park are very high – take care to stay hydrated (it is recommended that you have a minimum of 4 liters of water per person), protect yourself from the sun and carry a supply of food and water with you
• Avoid extreme heat: Plan to visit during cooler months, such as late fall, winter or early spring.
  Avoid visiting in summer, when temperatures can exceed 50°C (122°F).
• There is a gas station next to the Visitor Center, but it is very expensive.
  When planning a trip through Death Valley, it is best to fill the tank to full before traveling to the park.
• Careful planning: Before you leave, carefully plan your route, check weather conditions and stock up on maps and information about the points you want to visit.
  Check current information on the park’s website to know if all roads and trails are accessible.
• No network: be aware that there may be no cellular coverage in Death Valley.
• A working vehicle: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, as Death Valley is a vast and isolated place with limited access to mechanical services.
• Access to help: Have a first aid kit with you, as well as information on the nearest rescue and telephone points.
• Respect the rules: Respect all rules and signs in the park, especially those related to nature conservation and safety.

Following these tips will help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Death Valley.

Directions and opening hours

There are several roads leading to the park, but the most common is California Highway 190.
We took this road as well, entering from Nevada and heading west.
The park is open 24/7.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center is generally open from 8am to 5pm.

Address:
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Airport Rd
Furnace Creek, CA 92328

Price list

There is a fee to enter the park. You pay at the entrance, at the vending machine or at the Visitor Center at Furnace Creek (we recommend doing it right away at the entrance, though).

Prices:

• Passenger car – $30 (regardless of the number of people in the car)
• motorcycle – $25
• Bicyclists, people entering without vehicles – $15 (children under 15 free).

This is a national park so the America the Beautiful Annual Pass (cost per year $80) is accepted. This is a card that allows any number of entries to all parks managed by the NPS. Its purchase pays off if you plan to visit at least three such places.

Where to stay overnight in the Death Valley National Park area?

Death Valley is almost a wilderness, although there are accommodations and campgrounds in the valley. There are two facilities at Furnace Creek, quite surprisingly – they are oases in the desert, although they are basically just large accommodations with all amenities. We spent the night on the outskirts of Las Veges, from where we headed to Death Valley first thing in the morning (links below).

There are more campsites – you can choose those with connections or more basic ones without anything, often less accessible and requiring a car with high ground clearance. There are fewer campsites available in the summer, due to the high temperatures. All places in the summer, and most in the other seasons, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations here, you just have to come and count yourself lucky ;)

Ready-to-use interactive map with more than 700 points in the Western US. You can find it in our store in the category of travel planners »

Here are some suggestions for accommodations in Death Valley and in the closer (though farther) vicinity.
We slept in the first one on the outskirts of Las Vegas:

• Home2 Suites By Hilton Las Vegas Northwest
  Address: 8906 W Deer Springs Wy, Las Vegas, NV 89149
  Prices: from $150 for a double room
  Link: https://r4b.link/home2-suites-la
• The Ranch At Death Valley
  Address: Highway 190, Death Valley, CA 92328
  Prices: from $205 for a double room
  Link: https://r4b.link/the-ranch-at-death-valley
• The Inn at Death Valley
  Address: Highway 190, Death Valley, CA 92328
  Prices: from $353 per double room
  Link: https://r4b.link/the-inn-at-death-valley

Our opinion – is it worth visiting Death Valley National Park?

While in the West of the USA, this national park is definitely worth a visit! It stands out for its ruggedness, extreme conditions, unique formations and unforgettable views. It’s not easy to stay here for long, especially in spring and summer, but it’s worth it to see the place with your own eyes at least for a while.

Photo Gallery

See also all our photos from Death Valley: