15 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
From its towering peaks and winding canyons to pastel-colored landscapes, sand dunes, waterfalls, and volcanic craters, Death Valley National Park is a desert paradise known for its extremes, offering an incredible amount of diversity that ranges from the depths of the Badwater Basin at -282 ft. (-86 m) below sea level to the summit of Telescope Peak at 11,049 ft. (3,368 m)!
That said, Death Valley is renowned for its beautiful scenic drives, small Western towns that predate the existence of the National Park, and hiking trails unlike anywhere else in the country!
This is to say that Death Valley National Park is, through and through, a hiking destination, as its one-of-a-kind trails wind their way through countless canyons, up beautiful peaks, and often involve off-trail hiking, which is legal in Death Valley.
It’s for all these reasons that Death Valley National Park often surprises most visitors, in that many who come for the first time end up saying they enjoyed Death Valley more than they thought they would!
However, Death Valley National Park certainly cannot be discussed without talking about the park’s extremes.
By this, I mean that Death Valley is just as beautiful as it is unforgiving, and summer temperatures, vast stretches of remote, rugged landscapes, and venomous wildlife have all proven deadly in Death Valley National Park in the past. This is why I like to say Death Valley deserves a certain amount of respect, especially when hiking, as many trails are surprisingly remote and often see few, if any, visitors on any given day. For that reason, every adventure should be carefully thought through, with an understanding of the difficulty involved, as hikes that often seem straightforward can quickly and unexpectedly turn very difficult in very little distance, like the Grotto Canyon Trail.
All this to say, take the hiking list below very seriously, as a large water bladder, good shoes, and proper sun protection are not only necessary but essential for a fun and, most of all, safe experience in Death Valley National Park!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Death Valley National Park?
Death Valley National Park is, by and large, an off-season National Park, meaning that when most parks start shutting down for the winter, Death Valley comes alive!
That said, the National Park Service recommends visiting sometime between mid-October and mid-April, but I suggest narrowing this window even further.
I say this because even in mid-October and mid-March, temperatures in Death Valley National Park often peak in the mid- to upper 80s° F (27° C), sometimes even higher!
For this reason, I recommend visiting Death Valley National Park anytime from the beginning of November to late February, with February being my overall recommendation because, by this point in winter, most opportunities for rain have already passed, giving visitors the best chance to catch wildflowers blooming in the park!
However, there is one exception to this train of thought, and that is for those interested in hiking up Telescope Peak, the highest peak in Death Valley National Park! This is because the Telescope Peak Trail is a very popular, mostly non-technical winter climb for those who have the right gear. However, for those interested in a much simpler, snow-free hike, the trail usually doesn’t become clear until around early June.
Now, I certainly would never recommend visiting Death Valley during the summer season, but the Telescope Peak Trail is the one exception, as the trailhead begins at around 8,150 ft. (2,484 m) and climbs to an elevation of 11,049 ft. (3,368 m) at the summit.
If Telescope Peak is something you’re interested in during the warmest times of the year, I would say that’s about all you’re going to get into in Death Valley National Park, aside from grabbing a cold beer at the Badwater Saloon in Stovepipe Wells to celebrate your summit!
Before visiting, be sure to review the live National Park road map below, as roads often close in Death Valley—typically because of flash floods that wash out large sections.
Hiking Checklist - Death Valley
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Death Valley National Park.
15 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
However, it’s important to come prepared for the time of year you’ll be visiting, as daytime temperatures regularly soar above 100° F (37.8° C) from mid-May to early October, with July and August often seeing temperatures between 110–125° F (43–52° C).
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Golden Canyon–Gower Gulch Loop Trail
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12.1 km
The Golden Canyon–Gower Gulch Loop in Death Valley’s Black Mountains is a long day hike that combines two separate trails between Zabriskie Point and Badwater Road into one fun, not-too-difficult adventure!
That said, the loop passes a number of beautiful highlights along the way, including the Red Cathedral, Golden Canyon, and numerous stunning, narrow sections at the lowest elevations in Gower Gulch, which is why I recommend setting off with the intention of hiking the full loop, as opposed to just trying to see the most popular sections, like Golden Canyon.
Read My Separate Post: Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch Loop Trail
2. Artists Palette Trail
Distance: 0.3 - 1.0 miles / 0.5 - 1.6 km
Artists Palette is a vague recommendation, as Artists Drive is a long 9.0-mile (14.5 km) one-way road off Badwater Road that leads to a handful of different parking areas where visitors often get out to explore.
However, of the two main parking areas, none is as beautiful or as popular as Artists Palette, the second main parking lot off Artists Drive.
It is here that visitors can hike around, explore, and enjoy what the National Park Service calls cross-country hiking, also referred to as open-hiking in parks like Badlands National Park.
Before visiting, it’s worth noting that there are two main loops that begin and end at the same parking area, but whether you choose to follow them or not, the whole mountainside is really just about getting out to explore—especially at sunrise and sunset, when the contrasting colors are the most beautiful!
Read My Separate Post: Artists Palette Trail
3. Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point is a beautiful panoramic overlook near the East Entrance of Death Valley National Park, renowned for its photography opportunities overlooking a sea of endless layered ridges, the Badwater Basin, and Telescope Peak and the Panamint Range in the background!
That said, Zabriskie Point is best visited at sunrise or sunset, which, are the only two times of day I recommend visiting, as golden hour is when the best of the colors in Death Valley start to come out!
Google Maps Directions: Zabriskie Point
4. Titus Canyon Narrows Trail
Distance: 3.0 miles / 4.8 km
Titus Canyon, also called Titus Canyon Road, is a long, rough 27.0-mile (43.3 km) canyon that begins outside the Death Valley park boundary to the east and winds its way through the Grapevine Mountains, ultimately ending on Scotty’s Castle Road within the park.
The road aside, the lowest elevations of Titus Canyon are called the Titus Canyon Narrows, and they are widely believed to be the most beautiful part of the entire 27.0-mile (43.3 km) drive!
This is exactly where this recommendation comes from, as the National Park Service recommends exploring the first 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the mouth of the canyon, which is exactly what my separate post is all about.
All this to say, I personally recommend hiking the Titus Canyon Narrows in the mid- to late-afternoon hours for the most beautiful light cast against the towering canyon walls, and if you’re lucky, you might just see Bighorn Sheep running up and down the steep cliff sides!
Read My Separate Post: Titus Canyon Narrows Trail
5. Badwater Basin Salt Flats
Distance: 2.0 - 5.0 miles / 3.2 - 8.0 km
Badwater Basin is a place of contrasting extremes!
I believe this because from the lowest point in North America to the highest peak in the park, at approximately 11,049 ft. (3,368 m), it’s less than 20 miles (32.2 km) straight across the salt flats to the towering summit atop Telescope Peak!
On top of this, Badwater Basin is home to some of the rarest, most endangered endemic snails that call this formidable environment home, which you can learn all about at the trailhead before setting off on the hike.
With all this in mind, the Badwater Basin Salt Flats is one of many places in Death Valley National Park that is simply about setting out from the trailhead and exploring in any number of directions, as there’s really no telling how much you can see, depending on how far you’re willing to hike!
Read My Separate Post: Badwater Basin Trail
6. The Ranch 1849 Restaurant (Furnace Creek)
The Ranch 1849 Restaurant in Furnace Creek is the nicest and biggest place to eat in Death Valley National Park, offering great food in both sit-down and buffet-style options for guests to choose from.
That said, nothing is cheap in Death Valley National Park, and The Ranch 1849 Restaurant is exceptionally expensive, as you’re not only paying for great food but the cost to get it there!
This is why I often like to say, come prepared before visiting Death Valley, because while The Ranch certainly deserves a place on this list, that’s not to say you’ll want to dine out night after night over the course of a multi-day visit.
7. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are a 14-square-mile (36.3-square-km) dune field just outside of Stovepipe Wells that make for a fun place to run around, explore, and even sled if you came prepared with a good saucer, like the one linked below.
In any case, if there’s one destination worth considering more than any other, it’s the High Dune, the tallest dune in the entire field, at only 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from the trailhead.
This is exactly what my separate article is all about, and I recommend checking it out to follow the shortest path with the least amount of effort required to hike up the High Dune.
Read My Separate Post: Mesquite Flat High Dune Trail
8. Ubehebe Crater Trail
Distance: 1.0 - 2.8 miles / 1.6 - 4.5 km
Ubehebe Crater is a very remote volcanic crater on the far northern end of Death Valley National Park, where visitors can hike a fairly easy, stunning loop around the perimeter of not one but two volcanic craters!
In addition, there is also the option to descend a more challenging, steep trail into the caldera of Ubehebe, similar to the Cinder Cone Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
Overall, I personally think the best thing about the Ubehebe Crater Trail is its remoteness, as few visitors make the long drive from Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, meaning you’re almost always guaranteed to see fewer people than in most other areas of the park!
Read My Separate Post: Ubehebe Crater Trail
9. Grotto Canyon Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Grotto Canyon Trail is a stunning day hike up a narrow, winding canyon at the far northern end of the Panamint Range that leads to a unique section at the mouth of the canyon known as 'The Grotto.'
However, above this beautiful section at the very beginning, the Grotto Canyon Trail starts climbing some quite technical terrain, some of which is easily Class 3 and 4, and it becomes quite difficult immediately after the point where the photo below was taken.
That said, the Grotto Canyon Trail is not an easy, kid-friendly day hike, especially after the historic August 2022 floods that reshaped much of Death Valley, including Grotto Canyon forever to come!
All this is to say, there’s quite a bit to know about the Grotto Canyon Trail before visiting, which is why I highly recommend reading my separate post, as arriving with realistic expectations and the proper gear is necessary if you want to hike more than just the very beginning.
Read My Separate Post: Grotto Canyon Trail
10. Natural Bridge Canyon Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Natural Bridge Canyon Trail is a very easy out-and-back day hike in the Black Mountains that I see as one of the best adventures in terms of effort to reward, as the towering bridge that spans the canyon is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away from the parking area!
However, there is much more to the Natural Bridge Canyon Trail beyond the bridge itself, which you can read about in more detail as I explore the full trail to the point where the canyon cliffs out against a typically dry waterfall chute.
Read My Separate Post: Natural Bridge Trail
11. Desolation Canyon Trail
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
The Desolation Canyon Trail is another beautiful, out-and-back day hike, and it’s an adventure that I often think makes for a great alternative to some of Death Valley’s more popular nearby locations, like the Golden Canyon Loop via Zabriskie Point, just up the road.
That said, the one thing that sets Desolation Canyon apart from others is that, unlike most that cliff out at a certain point, Desolation Canyon actually climbs its way up to a panoramic viewpoint above Badwater Basin at the very end!
For this reason, I recommend considering the Desolation Canyon Trail if you’re looking for a fun, not-too-difficult adventure with a quiet, beautiful west-facing viewpoint that makes for a great place to hang out and enjoy the off-season sun!
Read My Separate Post: Desolation Canyon Trail
12. Mosaic Canyon Trail
Distance: 3.6 miles / 5.8 km
The Mosaic Canyon Trail is a fun out-and-back day hike just outside of Stovepipe Wells that makes for a great family-friendly adventure, so long as you enjoy some easy scrambling!
That aside, what sets Mosaic Canyon apart from others is the beautiful, textured patterns along the canyon walls that resemble pieces of a mosaic, especially when the sunlight hits them just right in the mid- to late-afternoon hours!
Overall, the Mosaic Canyon Trail is certainly not the easiest or the hardest canyon in Death Valley National Park, but I think it makes for a really fun adventure—again—as long as you’re comfortable with some moderate scrambling and exposure.
Read My Separate Post: Mosaic Canyon Trail
13. Badwater Saloon (Stovepipe Wells)
Whether you’re celebrating a successful summit of Telescope Peak or coming off the High Dune in the nearby Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, stopping in for a cold beer at the Badwater Saloon in Stovepipe Wells is about as old as pastimes get in Death Valley!
That said, the Badwater Saloon and adjacent restaurant is also a great place to grab a bite to eat, which can be a great alternative to some of the more popular places to eat in Furnace Creek, just down the road!
Yelp: Badwater Saloon
14. Darwin Falls Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Darwin Falls Trail is a remote, easy day hike just outside of Panamint Springs on the far western side of Death Valley that leads to a beautiful, natural, spring-fed waterfall in the Darwin Hills!
What this really means is that Darwin Falls is not dependent on rain or snowmelt, and as a result, it flows year-round, even throughout the driest summer months.
For this reason, Darwin Falls is one of my top recommendations to swim when visiting Death Valley in October or April, or during the hotter summer months. However, even the 1.0-mile (1.6 km) hike can certainly be very dangerous if you’re visiting outside of the recommended Death Valley travel season.
Read My Separate Post: Darwin Falls Trail
15. Panamint Springs Resort
I think it’s important to mention that the word 'resort' is certainly used pretty loosely, but in this remote corner of Death Valley National Park, a place to stay is all that matters!
That said, Panamint Springs Resort is quite removed from the busiest areas within Death Valley National Park, at roughly 55 miles (88.5 km) from Furnace Creek and 50 miles (80.5 km) from Lone Pine outside of the park.
This is why, if you’re looking for a place to stay when heading to or from Death Valley via the West Entrance, I recommend considering Panamint Springs Resort, which is quite convenient to Darwin Falls mentioned above.
5 Best Things to Do Near Death Valley National Park
Don’t forget to look beyond the park!
Death Valley is amazing, but there are tons of equally amazing adventures and restaurants located across the Southwest and the Sierras, as the park is uniquely positioned between a number of beautiful destinations within a few hours’ drive in any direction.
1. Zion National Park
When starting a trip in Las Vegas to visit Death Valley, Zion National Park is the closest and most practical destination in the opposite direction, especially during the cooler fall, winter, and spring off-season months.
On that note, I have been visiting and revisiting Zion for many years, just as I have with Death Valley, which is why I believe the list I’ve created about the park truly offers the best tips and recommendations you will find—especially when it comes to hiking the Angels Landing Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Zion National Park
2. Mt. Whitney (Highest Peak in California)
Mt. Whitney via Whitney Portal, just outside of Lone Pine, is only a 2-hour, 20-minute drive from Furnace Creek in Death Valley.
That said, there’s nothing quite like climbing to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the lower 48 states!
Before visiting, there is quite a bit to know about the climb, including how to get a permit for the trail, which you can read all about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Whitney Trail (Lone Pine)
3. Lake Tahoe
If you’re already driving west out of Death Valley toward Lone Pine, Mt. Whitney, or even Bishop, then adding Lake Tahoe to your drive really isn’t all that out of the way!
That said, South Lake Tahoe is only a 6-hour, 10-minute drive from Furnace Creek, which isn’t all that bad considering all the things to stop and do along the way—especially if your trip is already starting or ending in Reno!
Google Maps Directions: Lake Tahoe
4. Grand Canyon National Park
As if the Grand Canyon needs its own introduction, know that Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is only a 6-hour-and-20-minute drive from Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park.
If driving east of Las Vegas is something you’re considering, I have also written an entirely separate article about Grand Canyon National Park, which includes my favorite sunrise and sunset spots, day hikes, backcountry adventures below the rim, and great insider advice regarding what to expect when visiting both sides of the canyon!
Read My Separate Post: Grand Canyon National Park
5. Yosemite National Park
This recommendation should come as no surprise, as combining Death Valley National Park with Yosemite National Park can be a really fun California road trip, so long as Tioga Pass isn’t closed for the winter season!
When it is open, Yosemite Valley is only a 5-hour, 45-minute drive from Furnace Creek, but during the winter off-season, the drive around the Sierras to the Valley takes roughly 8 hours one way!
This is why Yosemite and Death Valley are best combined in the fall before Tioga Pass closes for the season.
Read My Separate Post: Yosemite National Park
10 Things to Know Before Visiting Death Valley National Park
1. The are three towns in Death Valley National Park.
The three towns in Death Valley National Park are Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, in that order from biggest to smallest.
That said, Furnace Creek is the biggest and most centrally located of the three, and it’s where visitors will find the most ammenities, including places to eat, an ice cream parlor, a U.S. Post Office, a campground, and more!
The second biggest town is Stovepipe Wells, and like Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells is also very conveinient to get to and from, as it’s very centrally located to some of the best day hikes, including the Mesquite Sand Dunes, the Mosaic Canyon Trail, and the Grotto Canyon Trail.
Finally, the smallest and most remote is Panamint Springs, and it’s easily the least visited of the three, as it’s located on the far side western side of Towne Pass, meaning that it’s quite removed from many of the most popular trails within the park.
2. Don’t visit Death Valley from May - September.
I continually write this again and again because summer in Death Valley should be avoided at all costs, which can be tough to hear, considering some of the most beautiful nearby National Parks in the Sierras are amazing summer destinations!
However, just because you’re in the area doesn’t mean I’d recommend trying to spend even a day in Death Valley, as you’ll never be able to venture too far from your car safely—not to mention, the heat can create complications for older cars.
3. Be happy if you don’t get to see everything.
Death Valley is a huge National Park, which is why I like to say it takes a lot of repeat visits to try and see the best of everything!
That said, certain destinations, like Ubehebe Crater and Darwin Falls, can take a few hours to drive to and from, which is why arriving with realistic expectations regarding how much time you have and what specifically you want to see is the best way to enjoy Death Valley National Park.
4. Arrive in Death Valley on a full tank of gas.
Death Valley is very remote, and as a result, everything from the price of food to the price of fuel reflects this reality.
This is why, if you can avoid or limit doing one thing in Death Valley, it should be getting gas, and know that half-hour to hour drives from one destination to the next are very common within the park.
5. Many trails in Death Valley involve technical hiking or scrambling.
Trails in Death Valley—especially those with canyons—can be deceptively more challenging than they initially seem, as many require somewhat technical scrambling that often makes them unsuitable for some visitor who don’t have the proper experience.
6. Be mindful where you place your hands and feet.
There are venomous Snakes, Scorpions, and Black Widow Spiders in Death Valley National Park, which is important to keep in mind when hiking, and even more so when scrambling or climbing!
7. Take the hiking gear list very seriously!
I cannot stress this enough: Death Valley and the trails within are very desolate and remote. Daytime temperatures that peak around 110–125° F (43–52° C) in the summer should tell you all you need to know about Death Valley National Park, and this doesn’t even mention that temperatures can still climb to the mid- to upper 80s°F (27°C), 90s°F (32°C), and even above 100°F (37.8°C) during the cooler times of the year, particularly in March.
All this to say, don’t take proper hiking preparation lightly, and always fill up on water at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center before setting off on any adventure, as there are very few easy places to get water around the park if you forget.
8. Stop at the visitor center to pick up a parking pass.
Death Valley National Park does not have entrance stations like other U.S. National Parks, but that does not mean there isn’t a fee to visit.
Instead, all visitors are required to stop at one of the visitor centers and pay the entrance fee or show their annual pass to obtain a parking pass.
If you forget, cars parked without a visible pass on the dash may receive a citation.
Google Maps Directions: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
9. Drive the speed limit.
Death Valley National Park is not only patrolled by the National Park Service, but also by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
I’m not kidding when I say I’ve seen many visitors get stopped by CHP many times, which is why I recommend using your cruise control religiously!
If not, these wide-open desert highways make it far too easy to lose track of your speed, which is always how they get you!
10. If you’re on a budget, bring food from outside of Death Valley.
Of all the major expenses when traveling, bringing your own food is certainly the best and easiest way to mitigate the cost of an expensive trip to Death Valley.
I especially suggest this for those planning to visit for more than two days, which can and should include a grocery store trip in either Lone Pine, Pahrump, or Las Vegas before making the long drive into Death Valley.
