All You Need to Know and Do in Death Valley National Park!

If you’re looking for a desert that’s surrounded by mountains and is practically in the middle of nowhere, look no further than Death Valley National Park.  Death Valley is home to the lowest, hottest and driest location in the United States.

And there is so much more than just desert here!  There’s incredible mountains, like Telescope Peak.  There’s unique geology, like at Artists Palette.  And Badwater Basin is the lowest place in the United States.

With over 3,000,000 acres of designated wilderness, you’ll be able to experience solitude if you want to.  Whether you are here for some backcountry hiking/camping or just hitting the trails, you can’t go wrong with a visit.

So let’s jump right into all the logistics about visiting Death Valley, and then we’ll get into all the fun you can have here!  

Important Links 

• Death Valley National Park website
• Park Map and Basic Info – PDF
• America the Beautiful Pass
• Camping Checklist Freebie – Never Forget a Camping Item
• Hiking Backpack Checklist Freebie – Always Be Prepared on the Trails
• Hiking Journal – Never Forget the Details of Your Favorite Hikes Again!
• Camping Journal – Never Forget Your Camping Trips Details Again!

Location

Let’s start with where the park is.  Death Valley National Park is located right on the eastern border of California and a tiny bit is located in Nevada..  This beautiful and colorful park is a must see, but be prepared for quite a bit of driving to reach it.  

The visitor center is located 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, NV, 5 hours from Los Angeles, CA,  and about 4.5 hours from Bakersfield, CA.  There are a few small towns (like Beatty, NV) just outside the park, but nothing big for several hours.  So don’t expect a superstore or even a fully stocked grocery store!

National Park Fees

Just like all other federal recreation locations, Death Valley National Park has an entry fee.  The Standard Fee to enter the park is $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle and is good for 7 days.

However, unlike other National Parks, Death Valley doesn’t have a large entry gate where you must stop and pay.  In other words, the park operates more on the honor system than others.  

To pay, you’ll have to go to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center or use one of the self-pay kiosks that are located at different parts of the park. 

Annual Pass Options

If you plan to visit Death Valley National Park 2+ times in a year, you can purchase their Death Valley Annual Pass.  This pass is good for 12 months and costs $55.  The pass, along with your ID, gets you and a car-full of guests into the park for free. 

Another option is for those of you who plan to visit 3+ National Parks within a 12 month period.  If this is you, you’ll want to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass.  This pass is $80 for US Residents.  With this pass, you and a car-full of guests can enter any federal recreation area for free for 12 months.  I have bought an America the Beautiful Pass for the last 5 years and have saved a fortune on entry fees!

Again, you can purchase any of these passes at the visitor center.  So, let’s quickly discuss the visitor center.

Visitor Center

Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the only visitor center in Death Valley National Park.  Here is where you can buy your park pass, whether it’s a standard pass, an annual pass or an America the Beautiful Pass.  

The Park Rangers here are extremely helpful with answering any questions you may have.  Whether you have questions about the road conditions for the backcountry, or the hiking trails, they’ve got you.  

The museum and exhibits are also great for learning about the park and the unique climate.  And whether or not you need a park pass, I highly recommend stopping in to learn all about the park.  There is also a small gift shop here for all your national park memorabilia.  

Hours

• Death Valley National Park is open 24 hours a day.
• Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Everyday

Weather and Climate

And the final logistical item is the weather and the climate.

Death Valley is truly the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the United States.  It is also a desert that only receives about 2 inches of rain in an entire year.  But how does this affect you?   

Visiting a hot and dry place means you’ll have to be drinking more water than usual.  My husband and I visited in early March and couldn’t believe how much water we had to drink just to stay mostly-hydrated.  Even in early March the temperatures were well into the 80s/90s each day.  

Most of the park has little to no shade.  So you’ll want to be prepared with plenty of sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and any other sun protection that you need.  You might want to invest in a sunshirt to keep the sun off your skin entirely.  

That being said, you’ll most likely be cold in the mornings.  The dry air doesn’t hold any heat like humidity does.  This means you’ll want to pack layers.  I know I was chilly in the morning but by 9am I was quite warm.  So pack plenty of layers and options!

And now, let’s get to the fun part.  Starting with all the must-see locations in Death Valley, let’s jump right in!

Must See Locations!

Every National Park has a list (short or long) of “Must Do/See” Locations. And Death Valley National Park has an awesome list.  Even if you are only going to be visiting the park for a few hours, here are the locations you can’t miss!

Badwater Basin

Up first is Badwater Basin.  This is the lowest location in the entire United States!  Sitting at -282 feet, you are nearly 300 feet BELOW sea level.  For all the details about this must-see location, check out this link with everything you need to know about Badwater Basin.  

Artists Palette

Second on this list is Artists Palette and Artists Drive. This 9 mile road is a one way loop that leads you past the national parks most colorful mountains.  You can then park and take the short hike (0.25 miles) right up to the most colorful location known as Artists Palette.  For all the details and information, check out this link all about Artists Palette.

Zabriskie Point

Next is Zabriskie Point, one of the best views in all of Death Valley National Park.  This location is the perfect place for sunrise, but is also worth seeing no matter the time of day.   You’ll be able to see the Panamint Mountains, the badlands area and colorful mountains all from this view. For every detail about Zabriskie Point, check out this link!

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Now let’s take a look at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. This place feels like a place taken right from the Sahara Desert. You can either view the dunes right from the parking lot, or you can trek all the way to the top of the highest sand dune. With incredible sand dunes that are surrounded by mountains, you won’t want to skip this place! 

Dante’s View

And for the final must see location in Death Valley National Park, we have Dante’s View. This view point requires a drive up a steep and windy road, but the views are totally worth it!  Perfect for sunrise or sunset, this high location sits at 5,400 feet of elevation and gives you an incredible view of the Panamint Mountains and Badwater Basin below. 

Now all of these places require very little hiking and you really don’t even have to leave the car if you don’t want to. But I highly suggest getting out and going for a hike too. Here are some great trails!

Hikes To Do in Death Valley National Park

Hiking is one of the main things that people come here to do. With a mix of easy trails and challenging mountains, there is something for just about everyone here.

Easy to Moderate Hikes

Starting with a few easy-to-moderate hikes, you’ll love the 3 mile hike in Golden Canyon. This is the most popular hike in all of Death Valley National Park. This makes parking competitive, but it’s totally worth it. 

If you have the time, I highly recommend that you hike Golden Canyon and add in hiking to Zabriskie Point. This loop will total 6 miles and makes a great morning hike with not too much elevation gain. 

There are also the 3 mile Mosaic Canyon Trail, and the 4 mile Sidewinder Canyon Trail that are easy-to-moderate.  These canyons will show off the unique rocks and layers that exist in Death Valley.  All of these trails are subject to flash floods, so be aware of the weather if you plan on hiking any of them.  

Hard Hikes

Death Valley National Park is loaded with all levels of hikes, but the hard hikes will have some of the best views.

Starting with a great hike is the hike from Dante’s View to Mount Perry.  This trail is about 9 miles long, has incredible views as you hike along the ridge, and has nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain.  It’s a challenge because it starts up, then goes down, then back up to the peak.  The return trip is just as challenging.  Pack lots of water for this one!

Mountain Summits

If you want to summit a mountain, the 3 most popular mountains to summit in Death Valley National Park are Corkscrew Peak, Wildrose Peak, and Telescope Peak.

Starting with the shortest of the 3 is Corkscrew Peak. This trail is 7.3 miles long but don’t let that low number fool you.  One of the reasons this peak is a challenge is you’ll be hiking up 3,100 feet over just 3.5 miles to the peak.  The peak is a unique corkscrew looking mountain, but definitely worth the challenge.

Next on the list is Wildrose Peak.  This trail is about 8 miles long with 2,500 feet of elevation gain.  However, you need to consider the thin air that you’ll be hiking in if you aren’t acclimated to higher altitudes.  You’ll be starting just below 7,000 feet and hiking up to above 9,000 feet.  If you aren’t acclimated, this will be a challenging hike, so make sure you are taking your time and drinking plenty of water.

The Tallest Mountain in the Park

And finally, let’s discuss the highest point in all of Death Valley National Park. Telescope Peak is the snow-capped peak that can be seen from so many places in the park.  This trail clocks in at 12.3 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain.  The peak is mostly inaccessible in the winter due to snow above the 10,000 foot mark.  If you are able to summit Telescope Peak, you’ll reach an altitude of 11,043 feet, the highest point in the park. 

Be aware, as of March 2026, the main parking area is closed and you’ll have to park an additional 2 miles away from the trailhead.  This adds a grand total of 4 miles and about 1,400 feet of elevation to this already challenging hike.  

For a more extensive list of hiking trails in Death Valley National Park, check out this pretty extensive list from AllTrails!

But what else is there to do in Death Valley besides hiking? Let’s check it out!

Other Things to Do Here 

Besides hiking, there are lots of things to do in Death Valley National Park.  Let’s take a quick look at many of the options, and then you can click on the corresponding link which will give you all the information you could want.

Running and Biking 

Let’s start with trail running in Death Valley National Park.  There are quite a few long trails and dirt roads that are perfect for those training for just about any race distance.  Just be aware that this is still the hottest and driest place in the US, so plan accordingly with water, fuel and electrolytes.  

Next up we have biking in Death Valley.  In the park there are a great mix of mountain bike trails and paved roads where you can ride.  This is a great place to train and get some challenging exercise in the hottest place in the US. Make sure you plan accordingly for the heat.

Backpacking and Roadside Camping – Permits Required

Death Valley National Park has so many incredible places and opportunities to experience solitude and true quietness.  For those of you who want to take a multi-day backpacking trip, or if you prefer roadside camping in a campervan/truck camper, there are some great ways to enjoy the solitude of the backcountry.

For backpacking, there are some great and challenging trails.  Trails such as the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop.  This specific trail and a few of the others, require visitors to get a permit before heading out.  You can find everything you need to know about backpacking in Death Valley right at this link.  

If you are more of a “let’s drive to the camping location” kind of person, let’s talk about the overnight permits that are required for this kind of camping.  Overnight camping spots need to be reserved ahead of time.  These spots also require a great deal of planning as they are so remote.  You can find all the details you need for road-side camping right here at this link. 

Camping

This leads me to the different types of campgrounds that are in the national park. There are two main types of camping here, developed camping and primitive camping.  

There are 7 developed campgrounds in Death Valley National Park. The developed part of these campgrounds comes from the easily accessible roads and larger spots.  They do not have showers, bathhouses, or very many spots with any hookups.  Some of these campgrounds are first-come-first-serve, while others require a reservation ahead of time.  You can read all the information about each developed campground right here.    

Death Valley also has 5 primitive campgrounds for the more adventurous camper.  All of the primitive campgrounds require some sort of high clearance vehicle, 4×4, or both.  For all the information about Primitive Camping, check out this link.  

Be aware that the lower elevation campgrounds are only fully open from November – Mid-April due to the heat. And the higher elevation campgrounds are only open once the snow has melted.  So check each of the corresponding websites for the conditions of the roads and if the campground is open.

Off-Roading

Speaking of high clearance and 4×4 requirements, let’s check out the backroads and off-roading in Death Valley.  

Death Valley National Park has over 1000 miles of roads in the park, both paved and unpaved.  The unpaved roads can vary from simply a dirt road to very rugged!  

The most important thing when it comes off-roading in Death Valley is being prepared.  This includes plenty of food and water as well as extra tires and a way to self-rescue/survive in these harsh conditions.  

You’ll want to read this page, and perhaps even speak to a ranger, about all the things to consider for the backcountry roads.  This access map is also a great resource for getting started. 

And finally, let’s discuss seeing the night sky in Death Valley.

Night Sky

Death Valley National Park has some of the most impressive night skies and is one of the gold standard locations in our country.  After all, they say that half of the park is seen after dark!  You can find all the needed information about the night sky right here at this link.

Superbloom!  (Rare, but Incredible)

And one final thing I have to mention is the once-in-a-decade Superbloom that can happen in Death Valley.  Most recently, the park experienced a super bloom in Feb-April of 2026, with the 2 previous superblooms taking place in 2016 and 2005.  

A superbloom is very rare because it takes heavy rain in the fall, as well as enough rain in December and January to water the seeds.  Seeds can lay dormant for years and years until the correct conditions occur.  

If you are lucky enough to experience a superbloom, you’ll want to plan for an early March trip and visit the visitor center for the most up-to-date information.  My husband and I visited the 2nd weekend in March of 2026 and saw dozens of different flowers and millions of blooms.  

Where To Stay – In Death Valley

Let’s discuss where you can stay in and around Death Valley National Park.

Inside the park there are a few options where you can stay.  Starting with Stovepipe Wells, there are hotel rooms and Full Hook-Up RV sites available here.  

Then there is The Oasis at Death Valley and The Ranch at Death Valley where you’ll find hotel rooms right at the center of the park.  Here you’ll find restaurants, bars, shops and an incredible ice cream parlor. 

And finally there is the Panamint Springs Resort that offers motel rooms, cabins, RV spots, and even tent campsites. Here you’ll experience less of a resort and a more rustic-western vibe.  There is also a bar, restaurant and general store.

Where To Stay – Outside the Park

One of the closest towns outside of the park is Beatty, NV, which is only about 45 minutes from the visitor center.  My husband and I stayed at Space Station RV Park in Beatty while we were visiting Death Valley.  This town is small, but has more amenities than other towns outside the park.  There are also several hotels here and an amazing BBQ place right on main street.  

Besides Beatty, the closest town with accommodations is Pahrump, NV (1.5 hours from the visitor center) and Shoshone, CA (1+ hour from the visitor center).  All other towns are deceivingly far away, so make sure that you do your research before booking. 

Make it a Roadtrip!

Death Valley National Park is just about as close to “The Middle of Nowhere” as you can get.  BUT!  If you get creative and have a few extra days, you could always add a few things to your trip.

Starting with the closest thing, you’re only about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, NV.  And if you aren’t in the mood to gamble or stay in a gigantic hotel, you can always check out Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire State Park. 

You are also only about 4 hours from Joshua Tree National Park if you are trying to do a winter road trip and hit the hottest parks.  There is plenty of great hiking in this park and the Joshua Trees are absolutely worth seeing. 

Conclusion

Death Valley National Park frequently gets a bad rap, even called one of the “worst” national parks. But all you have to do is look a little closer and you’ll see some of the most incredible and unique landscapes in the US.

The number of unique locations in Death Valley National Park make this park a must-see location.  And with so much to do in the park, you’ll love the freedom of this park.

As always, feel free to email me at averagewildexperience@gmail.com with any questions.

-Happy Hiking, Camping and National Park Exploring!