🥾 Badwater Basin (up to 2 miles, flat): The lowest point in North America – 282 feet below sea level – is accessible by an easy drive from Furnace Creek. Step out of your car and walk onto the salt flats to see the vast expanse for yourself.
🥾 Golden Canyon (2.9 miles, 567 feet elev. gain): As the name implies, Golden Canyon’s brilliant yellow coloration draws many visitors to the park to see it up close. Most hikers start in the valley and climb to Red Cathedral before turning around, but it’s possible to create a longer 7-mile loop by starting at Zabriskie Point and adding the Gower Gulch trail.
🥾 Dante’s View (1 mile, 219 feet elev. gain): The drive to Dante’s View alone is worth your time, as it offers a view of Death Valley a mile in elevation above Badwater Basin. From here, you can see over 50 miles to the north and south, thanks to some of the clearest air in the United States. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider the 9-mile hike to Mount Perry along Dante’s Ridge, which leaves from the same parking lot.
🥾 Ubehebe Crater (1.8 miles, 357 feet elev. gain): Though Ubehebe is an hour’s drive from Furnace Creek, it’s absolutely worth your time to check it out. The 500-foot-deep, 2000-year-old volcanic crater makes for an exciting hike, even if you choose to stay on the rim. While you’re there, be sure to detour to the nearby Little Hebe crater.
🥾 Mosaic Canyon (3.5 miles, 984 feet elev. gain): Named for its mosaic-like walls, this canyon near Stovepipe Wells is worth visiting. The hike involves some scrambling, and reaching the trailhead requires navigation of a gravel road that is typically passable in sedans.
🥾 Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (2.3 miles, 154 feet elev. gain): A walk around Death Valley’s most accessible sand dunes should be on every visitor’s to-do list. Challenge yourself by summiting the highest dunes in the dune field!
🥾 Telescope Peak (12.2 miles, 3,244 feet elev. gain): Telescope Peak is the highest point in the park, and its summit offers endless views of Death Valley and the distant Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s recommended to use an AWD vehicle to reach the trailhead. Check road conditions before planning a visit, since the road closes seasonally to snow.
🥾 Darwin Falls (6.7 miles, 672 feet elev. gain): Once a short, 2-mile hike, the trek to Darwin Falls was lengthened when the road to the trailhead washed out in a flood. Still, the long hike is worth the miles. The lush greenery and flowing water at Darwin Falls is an oasis in the desert unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

🏜️ Zabriskie Point: This scenic viewpoint gives visitors a perspective of the colorful badlands that define the Black Mountains near the center of the park. Zabriskie Point is a popular spot for sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing. Reaching the point requires a short, steep walk on a paved trail.
🚗 Artists Drive: On the way to or from Badwater Basin, it’s imperative to detour along this brief drive that guides visitors through some of Death Valley’s most colorful vistas. This culminates in Artists Palette, a multi-colored formation created by ancient volcanic activity.
🔭 Stargazing: Death Valley National Park is one of the darkest places on a planet, earning it a designation as an International Dark Sky Park. Bring a headlamp with a red light, a pair of binoculars, a good camera, then kick back and enjoy the stars. The park hosts events like the annual Dark Sky Festival and recurring ranger programs to help visitors enjoy the night sky.
🌄 Catch a Sunrise or Sunset: Death Valley is almost unrecognizable in the golden light of a rising or setting sun. Popular places to enjoy golden hour include Zabriskie Point, Artists Palette, Mesquite Flat, Dante’s View, or even just the side of a road in the valley.
🚴 Cycling: Death Valley offers a wide array of paths for road cyclists and mountain bikers to enjoy. Bring high-visibility gear if you plan to ride on the park roads.
🏨 The Oasis at Death Valley: The luxury resort at Furnace Creek offers many attractions for the general public. A swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurant, bar, shop, ice cream parlor, and golf course are some of the things to do at the Oasis. If you’re camping in the park, you can also shower here for a fee.

🏔️ Mount Whitney: The highest peak in the 48 states is immediately west of Death Valley, merely 85 miles from the lowest point at Badwater Basin. Those looking for a challenging hike or climb can enjoy Mount Whitney from May through early October. Just remember to apply for a permit before you visit, which is awarded via lottery every year before the summit trail opens.
🌄 Alabama Hills National Scenic Area: Rock formations similar to those of Joshua Tree exist in this hilly area at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Hiking and climbing are popular activities here. Check Mountain Project for a climbing overview.
🧗 Bishop, CA: Bishop is host to a world-class climbing scene merely three hours from Furnace Creek, or an hour north of Mount Whitney. Climbing in Bishop is a dream for many climbers, so check it out if you’re a climber in the area. Visit Mountain Project for more details.
🏛️ Rhyolite Ghost Town: Lying just east of Death Valley in Nevada, this ghost town can be a fun diversion for a few hours while visiting the park.
🌴 Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: Visitors can find unprecedented desert oases at Ash Meadows, which lies directly east of Death Valley. This park includes a separate unit of the national park calls Devils Hole, which protects the habitat of the endangered Devils Hole pupfish.
🏜️ Mojave National Preserve: Another desert preserve lies two hours south of Furnace Creek. Here you can find canyons, peaks, sand dunes, and even lava tubes!
🧗 Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Another rock climbing destination – known for bouldering, sport climbing, and trad – sits just outside Las Vegas, 2 hours from Death Valley. It’s also a scenic place to hike or enjoy a scenic drive.
🌆 Las Vegas: If nature isn’t really your thing, Sin City will give you plenty to do.
🏞️ Joshua Tree National Park: 4 hours from Furnace Creek, Joshua Tree is a great national park to pair with a visit to Death Valley. It protects a huge concentration of its namesake plant and is a world-renowned destination for rock climbing.

📅 When to Visit: Death Valley’s weather is most pleasant starting in October and ending in March. Spring is a popular time to visit thanks to the possibility of seasonal wildflowers. In the summer, the heat in the valley can soar past 120°F, making it a dangerous time to visit if you’re looking to hike. If you want to explore mountains in the Panamint Range, your best times are late April until May and late September until October.
⌚ How Long to Visit: If all you want is to see the sights and do a short hike or two, allot 1-2 days in Death Valley National Park. If you want to enjoy longer hikes and explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, budget at least 3-4 days.
🚗 How to Get There: Las Vegas is the nearest major city to Death Valley, only two hours away. If visiting from far away, fly into Harry Reid International Airport and rent a car. I’d suggest booking an AWD vehicle to assist in accessing the park’s more remote areas.
🛏️ Where to Stay: The NPS operates twelve campgrounds within the park! The only reservable campground – and the one with the best amenities – is Furnace Creek Campground. All campgrounds are open seasonally, with most closing during the summer due to the heat. Death Valley also hosts four lodges within its borders, including The Ranch at Death Valley, The Inn at Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel, and Panamint Springs Resort.
💼 What to Bring: To endure the valley’s heat and sunshine, bring a sun hat, sun hoodie, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Water is your best friend in Death Valley, so be sure to pack 4 liters per person, per day, and more if hiking. Drinking water is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. If you’re interested in exploring more remote regions of the park, come prepared with an AWD vehicle, spare tires, and overnight supplies.

✅ DO drink plenty of water while you are in Death Valley. The NPS recommends 4 liters per person, per day, and more if you are hiking. Heatstroke is a constant threat in the heat at Death Valley, a threat that should not be taken lightly.
✅ DO take advantage of the cooler weather at higher elevations. On hot days in Death Valley, you should prioritize lower-elevation hikes early & late in the day, and seek the cool temperatures at high elevations in the middle of the day.
✅ DO bring a swimsuit. Why, you ask? See the next “DO”…
✅ DO take advantage of the amenities at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells if you’re camping in the park, especially their showers and pools. The refreshing water can be a great respite from the heat of the valley. Don’t forget to stop by the ice cream parlor at the Oasis!
✅ DO top off on gas outside the park. Gas is available in the park, but is expensive. You’ll be happier if you enter Death Valley with a full tank of gas.
❌ DON’T forget to apply sunscreen and bring extra with you on long hikes. Death Valley has very little shade and the UV index can be very high.
❌ DON’T underestimate the heat. Drink. More. Water.
❌ DON’T visit Death Valley in the summer. If you really want to walk out onto Badwater Basin when it’s 120°F, that’s your choice. But you’ll be much happier if you visit when it’s cooler.
❌ DON’T journey to the Racetrack without the proper preparation. This famous landmark is notoriously hard to reach, requiring navigation of a rough dirt road with sharp rocks, rivets, and holes. It’s recommended to travel with multiple spare tires, an emergency radio, and overnight supplies.