A first-time guide to Death Valley National Park

21.11.2024 - 17:35 / lonelyplanet.com

Nov 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Welcome to Death Valley, where the landscapes are as extreme as the name suggests. Spanning some three million acres across California and Nevada, this park is a playground of surreal salt flats, winding canyons, towering sand dunes and geological formations straight out of a sci-fi movie. Did we mention it’s also the hottest, driest and lowest national park in the United States?

Death Valley boasts mesmerizing desert landscapes, from the colorful Artist’s Palette to the vast Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. It’s a destination that promises – and overdelivers on – adventure, solitude and truly awe-inspiring natural wonders. Here’s a guide for first-time visitors to Death Valley National Park.

Death Valley doesn’t mess around with its heat. Summers are like standing in front of an open oven. It’s known as the hottest place on earth, having recorded its hottest month ever in July 2024, with an average daily high of a scorching 121.9°F. Seriously, this can be a tough place to be in summer.

The best time to visit, certainly for the most comfortable weather, is late fall (October to November) and early spring (March to April). This is when daytime temperatures hover between a manageable 60–85°F. Winters are also mild and pleasant, with temps from 40–70°F, though you may get a sprinkling of rain.

Pro tip: For lower hotel rates and fewer crowds, brave the heat in summer, but bring gallons of water, a wide-brimmed sun hat and plan to venture out early or late in the day.

You could hit the highlights of Death Valley National Park in two days to explore iconic spots like Badwater Basin, Dante’s View and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. If time permits, take a short hike in Golden Canyon, then experience Devil’s Golf Course, which is known for its jagged salt formations. These are the absolute must-sees that you’ll be asked about upon your return home.

But, if you’ve got four days to spare, you’ll be able to savor the quiet solitude of less-traveled hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking vistas without feeling rushed. Plan to wake up early and stay up late so you can catch a sunrise at Zabriskie Point and soak up the stars at night. The stargazing here is legendary and should not be missed (or slept through).

The park’s relative isolation is its charm, but this does make planning a bit more of a challenge. The closest major airport is Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, which is about two hours away from the eastern entrance at Death Valley Junction. From here, it’s another 30 minutes to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, which has a park film, trail maps and nature exhibits.

From Los Angeles, you’re looking at a five-hour road trip to the western entrance, near Panamint