This picture was taken at ​Zabriskie Point.
Updated November 2024.

The Land of Extremes

Death Valley National Park (often called the "Land of Extremes") is home to dramatic contrasts, from the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, to towering mountains over 11,000 feet high. Furnace Creek, near the salt flats, famously recorded the hottest air temperature on Earth: 134°F (56.7°C) on July 10, 1913.

Known for its surreal beauty, Death Valley boasts shifting sand dunes, rugged canyons, and colorful badlands that look like they’re from another planet. Despite its name, life thrives here with plants and animals uniquely adapted to its harsh environment.

Steeped in history, Death Valley has been home to Native American tribes, prospectors during the mining boom, and early pioneers drawn to its desolation and mystery. Today, it remains a place of wonder, attracting visitors seeking to experience the stark silence of its desert expanses and the brilliance of its night skies.

Overview

  • 9:00 - 10:30 AM: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes - golden sand dunes
  • 11:00 - 11:45 AM: Badwater Basin - lowest point in North America
  • 12:00 - 12:15 PM: Devil's Golf Course - salt pan with large halite salt crystal formations
  • 12:30 - 1:30 PM: Artist's Palette - colorful geological formation
  • ​1:45 - 3:00 PM: Golden Canyon Trail - golden-hued canyon
  • 3:15 - 3:45 PM: Furnace Creek Visitor Center - visitor center and water refill spot
  • 4:00 - 4:15 PM: Zabriskie Point - panoramic viewpoint
  • Sunset: Dante's View - high elevation viewpoint
​Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps!​ To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.

Tips

Getting To/From the City
​There are many different entrances (especially unpaved trails), but the best options are bolded below:
  • ​From Las Vegas (~2 hours):
    • SR 374 from Beatty, NV
    • CA 190 through Death Valley Junction (scenic)
    • SR 267 from US 95 (if you're headed to the north)
  • From Los Angeles (~4 - 5 hours):
    • CA 190 to Stovepipe Wells (Western Entrances)
    • CA 178 through Shoshone
    • ​CA 190 through Death Valley Junction (scenic)
Getting Around Death Valley
The only way to get around is by car, as there are no public transit options; however, car-less people may consider booking a tour.
Entrance Fees
Unlike other national parks, Death Valley doesn't have a toll station, instead:
  • If you have an annual park pass ("America the Beautiful"),  you will need to stop at the Ranger Station near Stovepipe Wells or the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to pay for the park entrance fee and receive a dashboard tag.
  • If you don't have an annual park pass, you can pay at automated self-pay kiosks around the area.
Water
Water is available at the visitor centers and ranger stations. Make sure to bring plenty!
Service
Outside of some peaks and specific areas, there is very little access to data. Recommend saving Offline Maps of the area, downloading the National Park Service App; however, there is good signage everywhere.
Bathrooms
Most of the major attractions and trailheads have bathrooms that consist of vault toilets in well-built buildings and usually don't smell too bad.

1-Day Plan

This plan assumes you are starting from the Western entrance near Stovepipe Wells. 
9:00 - 10:30 AM: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
  • Rolling golden dunes named after the mesquite trees that grow around here, but other wildlife live in these harsh conditions.
  • You can walk 1-mile on the packed sand towards the highest dune to see untouched sand towards the north, and learn about the 4 types of dunes.
  • The area is popular for sunrise and sunset photography,
  • It is a popular filming spot, especially for Star Wars.
11:00 - 11:45 PM: Badwater Basin
  • The lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.
  • The salt flats are formed by the evaporation of ancient lakes, leaving a layer of salt that stretches for miles.
  • Parking is easy and you can follow the boardwalk onto the salt flats and stroll as far as you would like.
12:00 - 12:15 PM: Devil's Golf Course
  • Salt pan known for the large halite salt crystal formations with jagged edges formed when the ancient Lake Manly dried up thousands of years ago, leaving the salt deposits.
  • The uneven and rough formations led early explorers to joke that only the devil could play golf here.
  • On warm days, you might be able to hear the popping and cracking sounds of salt crystals expanding and contracting

NOTE: Getting here requires driving on an unpaved, dirt road!

​12:30 - 1:30 PM: Artist's Palette
  • Found along the Artist's Drive scenic loop, this geological formation has multicolored hills, created by the oxidation of various metals in the volcanic rock, leading to colorful hues
  • You can park along the side of the road or in the parking lot that leads down into the canyon.
  • There are multiple paths you can take to get to the top. The most direct is walking along the leftmost path, but there are many paths that can bring you there.
  • Recommend bringing a bag lunch and eating here. You can also head here for sunrise and sunset, but make sure to watch out for the dip along the road.
1:45 - 3:00 PM: Golden Canyon Trail
  • Like the name suggests, the walls are golden-hued contrasting a beautiful desert landscape.
  • There is a 3-mile round-trip trail that leads to Zabriskie Point, but for those short on time, there's a 1.5-mile round-trip trail that leads to the Red Cathedral and Manly Beacon.
  • The trail has beautiful rock layers, plenty of smaller trails, but gien the lack of shade, it's recommended to visit during the cooler months or in the morning.
3:15 - 3:45 PM: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
  • On the way to Zabriskie point, you can stop by the main visitor center that provides a 3D topographical map of the park, interactive displays, and the park's climate history, including its record-setting 134°F temperature in 1913.
  • A 20-minute orientation film runs regularly, highlighting key features and safety tips for exploring.
  • This is a great place to fill up water bottles, take a break (if needed), and receive any information if needed.
4:00 - 4:15 PM: Zabriskie Point
  • The end point of the Golden Canyon trail and loops back to the Golden Canyon trailhead.
  • It offers panoramic views of the colorful eroded hills, ridges, and the desert below with a short, inclined walk up to the viewpoint.
  • Popular during sunset and sunrise when the light shifts the colors of the geological formations.
30 minute drive to Dante's View
Sunset: Dante's View
  • A breathtaking viewpoint at 5,000+ feet with a panoramic vista of Death Valley. It is Perched at an elevation of 5,476 feet, with views of the salt flats in Badwater Basin that almost look like a frozen pond and then the Panamint Range towering above it.
  • This is a popular place to watch the sunset, so come early to guarantee a parking spot.
  • Note that temperatures here can drastically differ from in the valley due to the elevation and winds. Be prepared with a winter coat.

Restaurants

  • Last Kind Words Saloon: Western-themed dining with a menu featuring barbecued ribs, wild Alaskan salmon, steaks, burgers, and hearty American comfort food.
  • Toll Road Restaurant: Casual eatery in Stovepipe Wells Village serving classic American diner fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Badwater Saloon: Relaxed bar and grill offering pub-style food, such as burgers, chicken wings, nachos, and salads, along with a selection of craft beers and cocktails.
  • Panamint Springs Resort: Known for its extensive craft beer menu, it serves American staples like pizzas, burgers, pasta dishes, and fresh salads.
Picture
Trona Pinnacles from a distance (on the drive there)

Trona Pinnacles

If you have some time before or after the drive to Death Valley, check out the iconic National Natural Landmark, wa unique and striking geological formation located in the Mojave Desert. It has 500+ tufa spires--tall, dramatic formations made of calcium carbonate--created by the interaction of underwater springs and ancient lakes that once existed in the region. Some rise up to 140 feet tall and create an almost otherworldly landscape.

The whole area is part of the Searles Valely, well-known for photography, hiking, stargazing, and serving as the backdrop for many movies from Star Trek and Planet of the Apes.

NOTE: The site is only accessible by a dirt road, so ensure your car is ready to go for 6-7 miles on the bumpy, rocky terrain!
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