The Hottest, Driest, Lowest — and Most Surreal
Death Valley holds records that sound imaginary: 134°F (the hottest air temperature ever recorded on Earth), 5.1 inches of average annual rainfall, and 282 feet below sea level at Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America). Yet this 3.4-million-acre park — the largest in the lower 48 — is hauntingly beautiful, with landscapes that look like they belong on another planet.
Getting There
Nearest airports: Las Vegas (2 hours), Los Angeles (4.5 hours), Reno (4 hours).
Two entrances: The east (Furnace Creek) entrance from Las Vegas is the most common. The west entrance from Lone Pine is scenic but remote.
Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle. America the Beautiful pass accepted. No cell service in most of the park.
Book Death Valley lodging — options are extremely limited. The Oasis at Death Valley (Furnace Creek) and Stovepipe Wells Village are the only in-park options.
Must-See Destinations
Badwater Basin: 282 feet below sea level. The "sea level" sign on the cliff above puts the depth in perspective. The salt flats stretch for miles — walk out onto the hexagonal salt polygons for the full experience. Best in early morning before the heat becomes dangerous.
Zabriskie Point: The most photographed location in the park. Golden badlands formations lit by sunrise create a color palette that doesn't look real. Be here 20 minutes before sunrise.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: The most accessible dunes in the park. A 15-minute walk from the parking area puts you among dunes up to 100 feet tall. Go at sunrise or sunset for long shadows and cooler sand temperatures.
Artists Palette: A one-way 9-mile scenic drive past hills colored green, pink, red, and purple by mineral deposits. The colors are most vibrant in late afternoon light.
Dante's View: 5,475 feet above sea level with a direct line of sight down to Badwater Basin — a 5,700-foot elevation difference. You can see the lowest point in North America from one of the highest vantage points in the park. 30°F cooler than the valley floor.
Best Hikes
Golden Canyon to Gower Gulch (4.3 miles, moderate): A loop through narrow canyons and colorful badlands. The Red Cathedral amphitheater at the halfway point is spectacular. Start early — no shade.
Mosaic Canyon (3 miles, moderate): A slot canyon with polished marble walls and mosaic conglomerate. The canyon narrows to 4 feet wide in places. Best before 10am.
Telescope Peak Trail (14 miles, strenuous): The highest point in the park at 11,049 feet. Snow can persist into June on this trail. A 3,000-foot gain with views of both the lowest and highest points in the contiguous US. Not recommended in summer.
The Night Sky
Death Valley is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park — the highest designation. The Milky Way is visible with the naked eye on moonless nights. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Badwater Basin offer flat horizons for astrophotography.
Best stargazing: New moon nights from October through March. Summer nights are too short and too hot. Bring a star chart or astronomy app and binoculars — even basic binoculars reveal Jupiter's moons.
Extreme Heat Safety
Death Valley kills people who underestimate it. This is not hyperbole.
- Carry at least 1 gallon of water per person per day — more in summer
- Do not hike after 10am from May through September — daytime highs regularly exceed 120°F
- Stay on paved roads if your vehicle breaks down — a broken-down car provides shade and is easier to find than a person
- Tell someone your itinerary — cell service does not exist in most of the park
- Fill up with gas at Furnace Creek — the next station may be 50+ miles away
- Carry an emergency kit — water, shade canopy, and signaling devices
When to Visit
Best: November-March for hiking and sightseeing. October-November and February-March are ideal — 70-80°F days and 40-50°F nights.
Shoulder: April-May and September-October for warm but tolerable temperatures. Spring wildflowers possible after wet winters.
Summer (June-September): Only for heat tourism and night sky photography. Daytime highs of 120-130°F make hiking dangerous. Stay in air-conditioned vehicles and buildings.
Planning Your Time
- Minimum: 1 full day (Badwater, Zabriskie Point, Artists Palette, Mesquite Dunes)
- Recommended: 2 days (all of the above + Golden Canyon hike + Dante's View sunset)
- Thorough: 3-4 days (all hikes + Telescope Peak + Eureka Dunes + Racetrack Playa)
Death Valley is unlike anywhere else. See where it ranks in our complete national park rankings.
Combining Death Valley with Other Parks
Death Valley is remote but well-positioned for a Southwest road trip:
Death Valley + Joshua Tree (3-4 days):
- 2 hours between parks via Highway 62. Start in Joshua Tree, drive to Death Valley, or vice versa.
- Tioga Road connects the eastern Sierra to Yosemite (seasonal, June-October). Stop in the Alabama Hills and Mono Lake on the way.
- 2 hours from Las Vegas. Fly in, rent a car, and explore Death Valley as a day trip or overnight.