The Best Things to Do in Death Valley

Last Updated: January 3, 2024

Extreme temperatures and a vast, moon-like landscape, are the first things that came to our mind when we were thinking of Death Valley. The reality was very close to that, when we finally made it there, a few years ago. Our visit to Death Valley National Park took a lot of planning and we put in many hours of driving. The moment we arrived, however, our tiredness vanished and we felt nothing but sheer awe. There’s not just one thing in particular that we can pinpoint when we try to describe Death Valley, but it’s rather the contrasting landscape as a whole that makes it so unique.

It is a photographer’s delight and a mecca for intrepid travellers across the world. But, also a fascinating place for families with kids who are looking to escape the loud cities for a while. Kids and adults alike can enjoy all that Death Valley has to offer, and it offers a bunch of fun things to do!

Below you will find not only the Best Things to Do in Death Valley but also everything you need to know about this extraordinary national park in the USA.

WHERE IS DEATH VALLEY?

Death Valley National Park is located in California, in the northern Mojave Desert. The largest part of Death Valley is situated in south central California but there’s also a small part of it in Nevada. You can reach it in 4 hours and 30 minutes approximately from Los Angeles. Whereas, Las Vegas is half the distance, a little over 2 hours.

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED TO EXPLORE DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK?

The first time we visited Death Valley, we were just passing through and we ended up spending only a couple of hours. During that short period of time, we managed to see only one of its many top spots. Speaking from experience, we don’t think that one day is enough for Death Valley. You should spend at least 2 days for a chance to experience the best things to do in Death Valley. In fact, the second time around, we camped in the national park overnight which allowed us 2 days to explore everything. So, we can say with confidence that it is totally worth it to stay in Death Valley National Park.

The main points of interest are scattered throughout Death Valley and to go through it, it takes somewhere between 9 to 10 hours. This includes the drive time plus enough time to visit the best spots in Death Valley.
Most people will say that one day is enough to explore Death Valley, but we will argue with that. Although it is doable to fit in one day the best things to do in Death Valley, your itinerary will be so jam-packed, you’ll barely have time to properly enjoy the experience.

WHERE TO STAY IN DEATH VALLEY

If you decide to follow our advice and spend the night, you’re probably wondering where to stay in Death Valley National Park. Below you will find a few unique places to stay in Death Valley.

The Ranch at Death Valley – This is one of the best places to stay in Death Valley, especially if you’re not willing to compromise on comfort. It is located inside the park, only a few minutes from Furnace Creek Visitor Center. It is a family-friendly resort, offering many amenities and various activities.

The Inn at Death Valley – The Inn is the upgraded version of The Ranch. It is a hotspot for those who don’t shy away from splurging even at such remote locations. It is a triple-A-rated four-diamond resort so you’re pretty much guaranteed an exceptional experience.

Death Valley campgrounds – The campgrounds appealed more to us (and our pocket if we’re being completely honest). There are plenty of BLM spots where you can park your campervan or set up your tent. Since we didn’t have much experience with camping, we wanted to play it safe and choose one of the campgrounds instead. We stayed at Sunset Campground in Death Valley, which is always a safe bet as it rarely runs out of space. However, the next day, we strolled around the Furnace Creek Campground and it seemed like a really good choice too. Furnace Creek is a great place to stay in Death Valley, especially for longer stays. It is more organized and offers plenty of picnic tables, fire pits, and a few trees surrounding the campground.

WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT DEATH VALLEY?

We read recently that this September 2022, Death Valley recorded the highest temperature in the world during the month of September, with the thermometer climbing as high as 127°F (53°C)! This is valid proof that Death Valley is indeed the hottest place on earth.

We have always been fascinated by the desert so the high temperatures didn’t seem like a problem to us. It is worth noting that the first time around, we visited at the beginning of October; we wanted to avoid the extreme summer temperatures.

We’ve visited once again since then – quite recently actually – during the beginning of May. Both months are great to visit Death Valley. It was hot during the day but not suffocatingly so. During the evening, the temperature drops a few degrees making it perfect for spending a few hours outside, roasting marshmallows and stargazing. To be completely honest, during the night it got rather chilly for me but there was nothing a light jacket couldn’t fix.

WHAT IS DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK FAMOUS FOR?

The contrasting landscape and the extreme temperatures are the main reasons why Death Valley National Park is famous. What we found so cool about this place, is that one minute we were climbing on sand dunes and the next we were walking onto salt flats. At Death Valley, we realized just how harsh nature can be but so unassumingly beautiful at the same time.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS AT DEATH VALLEY?

Death Valley is big enough to offer a bunch of things to see that’ll keep you busy for hours, if not days! With that said, you’re probably wondering which are the absolute must-see spots. Below are some of the most iconic sights not to miss at Death Valley.

Artist’s Palette – I absolutely loved this attraction in Death Valley! The drive leading to the Artist’s Palette is incredibly scenic but the highlight for me was the array of colors that covered the dunes. The best time to visit the Artist’s Palette is during the sunset and sunrise.

Mesquite Sand Dunes – Since this is the desert we’re talking about, then there’s bound to be sand dunes. Be sure to save some energy as you’ll have to climb to the top in order to enjoy the striking views.
Badwater Basin – A vast expanse of land covered with salt. This unique phenomenon is created by water which evaporates due to extreme temperatures, creating a crust of hexagonal shapes on the surface. They are very easily explored. With that said, be sure to avoid visiting during mid-day when it gets extremely hot. I’d say the best time to visit Badwater Basin is during the sunrise.
Zabriskie Point – Zabriskie Point is one of the most iconic locations in Death Valley and one that you sure don’t want to miss out on. You can drive directly there, park your car at the parking lot and walk a couple of minutes to reach the viewpoint. Alternatively, you can reach Zabriskie Point via a hike through the Golden Triangle Trail. Either way, the views won’t disappoint! Like most points of interest in Death Valley, this one too is best visited during sunset or sunrise. That, of course, comes with minuses such as excessive crowds. If you’re looking to enjoy one of the most photographed spots in Death Valley National Park in solitude, then your best chance would be to visit at sunrise; ideally, start a few minutes before the sun rises.
Racetrack Playa – To reach this unique attraction you’ll have to drive over 20 miles on rough terrain. Be extra cautious as normal rental cars are best avoided here. Racetrack Playa is located off-the-beaten, so much so that it’s strongly recommended to visit only if you have a 4×4 car. But why is Racetrack Playa so famous? Because of the unsolved mystery of how the big rocks that are located there, actually move, leaving behind them trails. Many scientists have tried to solve this mystery but to this day, no one can say for sure.

IS DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK WORTH VISITING?

We’ve visited Death Valley National Park twice, and I would visit again in a heartbeat. For us, Death Valley is one of the most exceptional National Parks in the USA and we can’t recommend it enough. Plan your visit in advance and make sure you have enough time to see all the places mentioned above. Staying overnight will allow you to explore the park at a slow pace. Whether you choose to camp or stay at one of the hotels located in the park, one thing is certain, you’ll make long-lasting memories!