Visiting Death Valley
Tent Camping
Did you know that Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States, covering 3.4 million acres of the desert? I didn't till I visited and realized specific destinations I wanted to visit were nearly 60 miles apart from one another! However, the result is a varied and complex landscape, with colors and textures pulled from pastel palettes and rich browns and rounded boulders with soft-textured hills, next to sharp-jagged peaks with multi-colored layers. So why is this grand place called, "Death Valley"? In 1849 the first visitors came to the Valley in search of gold and riches. However, these visitors were very ill prepared for the extremities of the Valley and nearly died - giving the Valley its name; Death Valley.
There's so much to see, so how do I plan my trip?
Because of the large scale of Death Valley Nation Park, I strongly recommend careful planning to make the most of your trip. There are so many attractions to see, and certain sites/trails can take some time to travel to - so make sure you decide what is at the top of your list of things to see. The park can be divided into four area's to explore;
1. Furnace Creek area
Badwater Basin
Dante's View
Devils Golfcourse
Harmony Borax Works
Zabriskie Point
Artist's Drive
Furnace Creek Visitor's Center
2. Stovepipe Wells
Mesquite Sand Dunes
Mosaic Canyon
Stovepipe Wells General Store
3. Panamint Springs
Father Crowley Vista
Darwin Falls
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns
4. Scotty's Castle area
Scotty's Castle
Ubehebe Crater
Titus Canyon
Racetrack Playa
Hike Info
Miles: 3,367,627-acre landscape including massive dunes, vast salt flats, rock formations, and canyons.
Sea Level and Elevation: Death Valley site - Badwater Basin lies at 282 feet below sea level and is the lowest elevation in the United States. Elevations also rise to 11,049 feet above sea level.
Access the Death Valley National Park map here.
How do I get there?
It takes five hours to get to Death Valley National Park from Los Angeles and a two-hour drive from Las Vegas. If you're coming from Los Angeles then you can take Highway 190 to Death Valley, heading West - however, this does have some steep grades when you pass Owens Lake and the Highway 136 junction. Note: Interstate 15 to Baker is less steep and has less scenery. State Route 127 allows you to enter the park from Shoshone and Jubilee Pass or the Death Valley Junction. - If you enter through Jubilee Pass, you have easier access to view Death Valley attractions such as:
- If you enter the Death Valley Junction, you have easier access to view Death Valley attractions such as:
- If you enter through Highway 190, you have easier access to view Death Valley attractions such as:
Please note that some of the parking areas are small and have limited space. Vehicles or RV's that are over 25 feet in length are restricted on the Artist's Drive and the last 1/4 mile of Dante's View Road. There is also public transit to the Death Valley - however, I strongly suggest bringing your vehicle.
Total Distance: 278 miles
Road Conditions: Standard roads in desolate areas. Please be sure to check conditions prior to your trip here.
When is the best time to go?
Death Valley was not named Death Valley for it's cold and temperate weather. The park gets extremely hot in the Summertime, and I don't advise you go then. However, if you're a lover of the heat and can handle it, please do so with caution and keep yourself well hydrated, and apply lots of sunscreen and limit yourself to any strenuous hiking or outdoor activities.
Wintertime is an ideal time to visit Death Valley National Park. The park is beautiful with snow-capped mountains such as Telescope Peak, and there aren't as many people visiting during this time. Winter is an ideal time because you don't have to worry about the heat. However, you should be aware that just because it is a desert, it still gets cold and you need to be prepared for any weather conditions!
Spring is also a great time to visit Death Valley National Park. Instead of snow-capped mountain views, you could trade it for wildflower views.
What about camping or lodging?
Overnight accommodations can be limited at the Park. However, there are several campsites and alternative lodging options outside the park.
Campsites:
Stovepipe Wells Campground - Located adjacent to the Stovepipe Wells General Store, this is our favorite campground! Open Sept 15 to May 10. First come first served. $14 per night.
Furnace Creek Campground - Located at Furnace Creek and open year round. There are 136 campsites with drinking water, picnic tables, flush toilets and dump station. Sites start at $22.
Sunset Campground - This campground is first come, first served and only open from November to May. Campsites cost $14.
Texas Springs Campground - Open November to May. First come, first served. Sites cost $16. Mesquite Springs Campground. $16 per night.
Emigrant Campground - Tent Only. Open year-round. Campsites are free of charge. First come, first served.
Wildrose Campground - Open year-round. First come, first served and campsites are free.
Mahogany Flat - This campground is a first come, first served site that is open March to November and the sites are free.
Please reference the NPS website for more information on the campgrounds in Death Valley National Park. Some campgrounds are closed during the Wintertime, details can be found here.
- Any necessary campgeound reservations can be made at the Recreation.gov site.
Do I need any permits?
Yes. Death Valley National Park Service requires an entrance fee, and this fee permits anyone traveling with the permit holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during a 7-day period from the date of purchase. More details here.
You may also use your America the Beautiful Annual Pass to enter the Park, and this covers your entrance fee and amenity fees for the park and other federal fee areas.
Note: A California Campfire Permit is required for campfires, stoves, and lanterns.
What is so cool about this place?
Death Valley National Park is one word - majestic. Swirling dunes, a flat landscape dotted with white patches of salt 282 feet below sea level, multi-colored badlands, sailing stones through the desert sands, fields drenched with various wildflowers. This park is filled with runners, bikers, hikers, photographers, stargazers, Death Valley National Park is very much alive. You cannot describe the Park as one whole unit; instead, it's broken into several different aspects when it comes to the terrain, sites, and even temperature. Fun fact: Death Valley is considered one of the hottest places on earth. According to research, the park holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on the planet, topping out at 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913.
The Hike
Hiking is the best way to experience the beauty of this majestic park; however, the hot temperatures during the Summertime require some preparation. Make sure you carry at least a 2-3 liters of water with you on moderate trails and do not proceed on the paths without your ten essentials. I also listed specific hikes you may want to consider during Summertime, in case the weather is too hot, and you are unable to hike the other trails.
Suggested Hikes:
Below are a list of other hikes you can enjoy while visiting Death Valley National Park:
Harmony Borax Works: 0.4 miles - easy
Salt Creek Interpretive Trail: 0.5 miles - easy
Badwater Basin Salt Flat: 1 mile - easy
Darwin Falls: 2 miles - moderate
Desolation Canyon: 3.6 miles - moderate
Panamint Dunes: 7 miles - hard
Wildrose Peak: 8.4 miles - hard (Summer Hike)
Death Valley National Park is a vast park with over three million acres of designated wilderness and hundreds of miles of back-country roads. The park contains a fantastic variety of terrain, historic sites, plants, and animals for outdoor adventurers to explore. Whether you are camping, backpacking, hiking, biking or seeking wildflowers - visitors can choose from a variety of ways to explore the park.
