National Park
Death Valley National Park
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.
Plan your visit
- Best Time To Visit
- Prefer cooler months to maximize safety and comfort; avoid peak summer heat when possible
Highlights
- Why Visit
- Death Valley is a study in scale and extremes. It spans roughly 3.4 million acres of desertscape, salt flats, canyons, and mountain pass(es) that challenge perception and test planning. The park preserves a record of geological and climatic history, from salt basins to wind-sculpted formations, and it remains a critical landscape for understanding desert ecology and arid-region geology. Visitors come to witness vast landscapes formed by millennia of evaporation, erosion, and dramatic temperature swings. The park supports scientific study and exploration while offering structured avenues to experience its harsh beauty responsibly through designated trails, backcountry permits, and ranger-led programs.
- Top Things To Do
- Badwater Basin, Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Dunes, Artist’s Drive, Ubehebe Crater, Golden Canyon/Artists Drive region
Areas to plan around
- Furnace Creek Corridor
- Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Badwater Basin, Golden Canyon, Salt Creek boardwalk (reopening planned for early 2026)
- Stovepipe Wells & Mesquite Flat
- Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Panamint Valley views
- Panamint & Cottonwood Area
- Cottonwood-Marble Canyon area; backcountry access points; Panamint Springs access
- Northern & Eastern Escarpments
- Dante’s View vantage points; Titus Canyon area (road status variable); scenic overlooks
Getting there & around
- Getting There Airports
- LAS (Las Vegas, NV); BIH (Bishop, CA); IYK (Inyokern, CA)
- Getting There Driving Distances
- Las Vegas to Furnace Creek ~140 miles; Los Angeles area to Furnace Creek ~270 miles
- Getting There Entrances
- Furnace Creek Entrance (CA-190); Stovepipe Wells Entrance (CA-190); Daylight Pass Entrance (CA-190)
- Getting Around Shuttles
- Not required; some tours may offer private shuttle options.
- Getting Around Reservations
- Timed-entry reservations are not required for the park; reservations may be required for specific activities or backcountry permits.
- Getting Around Parking
- Parking generally adequate outside peak viewpoint times; check conditions during peak season.
Where to stay
- Where To Stay Inpark Lodging
- WEST SIDE: The Oasis at Death Valley; The Inn at Death Valley; Stovepipe Wells Village. Panamint Springs Resort is nearby on CA-190.
- Where To Stay Campgrounds
- Furnace Creek Campground; Stovepipe Wells Campground; Texas Springs Campground; Mesquite Spring Campground (within park boundaries). Dispersed camping is allowed with permits.
- Where To Stay Gateway Towns
- Beatty, NV; Shoshone, CA; Lone Pine, CA; Pahrump, NV
Safety & wildlife
- Safety Bear Country
- Wildlife Protocol: Carry spray. Food storage enforced. Fines apply.
- Safety Weather
- Exposure risks. Snow possible in any month. Lightning risk in the afternoon.
- Safety Altitude
- Desert elevation varies from valley floor to surrounding peaks; heat stress is a concern at all elevations.
- Safety Leave No Trace
- Pack it out. Stay on designated trails. Follow Leave No Trace principles.
- Safety Permits Needed
- Backcountry permits required for dispersed camping and certain backcountry routes; Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Hiking Loop permits via Recreation.gov.
- Wildlife Overview
- Desert-adapted species including bighorn sheep, coyotes, kit fox, jackrabbits, lizards, and rattlesnakes
- Wildlife Where To See
- Desert flats near Badwater, dunes around Mesquite Flat, rocky outcrops near Dante’s View and Golden Canyon
- Wildlife Safety
- Keep distance from wildlife; do not feed; observe from a safe stance; carry water and stay on trails
Trip strategy
- Itinerary Strategy
- Day 1: CA-190 loop from Furnace Creek; Day 2: Mesquite Flats + Artist’s Drive; Day 3: Panamint Springs region and lookout points
- Entrance Hacks
- CA-190 gates are the main access; arrive early to minimize congestion at popular viewpoints; monitor Status Map for road-specific closures
- Basecamp Logic
- WEST SIDE offers more dining and lodging options with easier access to dunes; EAST SIDE provides higher-elevation views and fewer services; split stays if possible
- Crowd Calendar
- Winter and early spring see higher visitation; summer sees fewer visitors due to extreme heat; plan around popular weekends and holidays
- Tips Advice
- Buy passes online to avoid line
- Shuttles are not mandatory; drive yourself
- Do not drive on unpaved shoulders after storms
- Carry ample water and sun protection
- Check Status Map before heading into backcountry
More details
- Park Code
- deva
- Tagline
- Hottest, driest, and lowest national park.
- Entrance Fee
- $30.00 - Entrance - Private Vehicle
- Quick Facts Entrance Fees
- Private vehicle: $30 (7 days); motorcycles: $25; per-person: $15. Digital passes available; cash not accepted.
- Nearby Services
- Gas and medical services in Beatty (NV) and nearby gateway towns; larger services in Las Vegas and Bishop
- Family Friendly Notes
- Junior Ranger programs and short interpretive walks available; plan for hot days with shaded stops
- Accessibility
- Limited ADA-accessible facilities; some trails and visitor centers have accommodations
- Photography Tips
- Sunrise at Dante’s View, sunset at Badwater Rim; avoid stopping on narrow shoulders; use pullouts and designated overlooks
- When To Visit Peak Season
- November–March
- When To Visit Shoulder Season
- April–May, September–October
- When To Visit Winter
- December–February
- When To Visit Road Opening
- Road openings vary with weather. Check Death Valley Status Map; Lower Wildrose Road and Darwin Falls Road closed until Summer 2027; Salt Creek boardwalk may reopen early 2026.
- Wildlife Bear Spray Rentals
- Not applicable; no bear spray rentals specific to Death Valley
- Weather Averages
- Highs range widely by season: winter ~60–70°F; spring ~70–90°F; summer often 100–120°F; nights cooler, especially in deserts.
- Weather Precipitation
- Annual precipitation is sparse, averaging around 2 inches (50 mm) with concentrated rain events in winter storms.
- Weather Info
- SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.
- What To Bring Essential Gear
- Water, sun protection, map/compass, layers, sturdy footwear, shelter, flashlight, extra batteries
- What To Bring Clothing
- No cotton; wear wool/synthetic layers; sun-protective clothing; wide-brim hat; sunglasses
- Review Summary
- Visitors encounter vast, austere landscapes and shifts in accessibility due to storm-related closures. Crowds concentrate at major viewpoints when roads are open; plan ahead and confirm conditions.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Is there a timed-entry system for Death Valley?
No; a timed-entry reservation is not required for Death Valley National Park.
What should I do if a road is closed?
Check the Death Valley Status Map and adjust plans; avoid attempting to bypass barriers or drive on closed routes.
Can I camp in the backcountry without a permit?
Dispersed camping requires a permit; obtain it via Recreation.gov and follow site-specific restrictions.
Are there allowed drones in the park?
Drone operations are prohibited without written approval from the superintendent.
What forms of payment are accepted for park entry?
Digital payments are accepted; cash is not accepted at park entry points.
Essential Death Valley National Park guides
Use these first for the decisions that affect the whole trip. Every guide is part of this park's planning library.
Park strategy
4 Days in Death Valley National Park
Explore Death Valley's extremes in 4 days: walk Badwater's salt flats, hike Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral, trek Mesquite Flat dunes, and sunset at Dante's View
When to visit
Death Valley National Park in August: Weather, Crowds & What to Do
August brings 115°F heat to Death Valley. High-elevation hikes, vehicle tours before 10 a.m., crowd levels, lodging, and flash-flood risks.
More guides
Best Wildflower Viewing Spots in Death Valley National Park
Discover 8 prime wildflower viewing locations in Death Valley. Peak bloom Feb–Apr. Trails, scenic drives, rare species, and insider timing tips.
More guides
Death Valley National Park vs Joshua Tree National Park: Which Park Should You Visit?
Death Valley delivers extreme, record-breaking landscapes for serious desert adventurers; Joshua Tree is the better pick for families, first-timers, and anyon
More guides
Death Valley National Park Weather by Month: What to Expect Year-Round
Month-by-month weather guide for Death Valley. See temperatures, precipitation, crowds, and when roads stay open. Best visiting times, fees, and safety tips.
Park strategy
5 Days in Death Valley National Park
Experience Death Valley's iconic badlands, slot canyons, and alpine summits in five days. Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon hike, Badwater Basin salt fl
Park strategy
Long Weekend in Death Valley National Park
Explore Death Valley's most iconic landscapes in three days: Badwater Basin salt flats, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Ubehebe Crater, Zabriskie Point sunrise, and Golden
Campgrounds
Emigrant Campground
Closed indefinitely. 10 tent sites, first-come-first-served, free.
Trails
Day Hiking
Lace up for Death Valley's extreme trails: easy 0.4mi loops to brutal 14mi summits. Hydration is survival.
Experience Death Valley at Night
Zero light pollution, 24-hour access. The Milky Way dominates—bring water, discipline, and patience.
Golden Canyon Hike Introduction
Golden Canyon intro: dramatic 30-foot tan walls frame the canyon mouth. Short, scenic stop—but extreme heat kills the unprepared.
Golden Canyon Hike Stop 1- Old Road
Rock erosion in real time. Conglomerate on sand—Death Valley's geology lesson.
Gateway towns
Beatty
Small but solid: motel rooms, fuel, and dining before Death Valley—with Rhyolite ghost town nearby for detours.
Death Valley Junction
Closest town to Death Valley—one legendary artist-built theater with hand-painted murals.
Lone Pine
Whitney climbing hub and Death Valley west gateway. Fill your tank and gear here before the high desert.
Furnace Creek
Park HQ and visitor hub. 2 hotels, 6 eateries. Stock supplies before heading into the desert.
Recommended gear
All Death Valley National Park guides 7 published
Browse the complete planning library, grouped by the decision you are making.
Park strategy
When to visit
More guides
Sources
- nps.gov
- deathvalley.com
- nationalparkstraveler.org
- reddit.com
- recreation.gov
- parksguidance.com
- happypeoplehike.com
- herjoliejourney.com
- bearzoutdoor.com
- quora.com
- explore.com
- usparkpass.com
- cynhw.com
- foxla.com
- umt.edu
- medium.com
- usgs.gov
- Current time information in Inyo County, US.
- National Park Service
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.