Death Valley National Park

The basics

The largest US national park outside Alaska, Death Valley encompasses 3.4 million acres (1.4 million hectares). It’s a popular day trip from Las Vegas, offering a remote respite from Sin City’s nonstop buzz. Death Valley National Park tours showcase the Mojave Desert’s geology, history, and best views, with stops at sites such as Badwater Basin, the Ubehebe Crater, the Borax Museum at Furnace Creek Ranch, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Rhyolite Ghost Town, Zabriskie Point, Devil’s Golf Course, Artist’s Palette, and Dante’s Peak.

Things to know before you go

• Badwater Basin, which sits 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, is the lowest point in North America.

• For those visiting the park independently by car, the per-vehicle entrance fee is valid for seven days.

• Death Valley National Park is typically dry and sunny throughout the year with some winter storms; avoid summer, when temperatures can reach 120°F (49°C).

• Stay hydrated with plenty of water, no matter what time of year you visit.

• During summer, restrict outdoor activities to the early morning; stick to paved roads in an air-conditioned vehicle.

• Furnace Creek Visitor Center offers informational exhibits, a bookstore, a short film, and ranger talks.

How to get there

Death Valley National Park sits at the California–Nevada border (with the majority in California), about two hours by road from Las Vegas. Enter the park on California Highway 190 from Death Valley Junction; 190 is the main road traversing the park from east to west and leads to the Furnace Creek area.

When to get there

Many visitors purposely visit in summer simply to experience the extreme heat, but spring, fall, and winter are the recommended times of year to visit; take caution if visiting in the summer. Depending on how much rainfall the park has had during winter and spring, wildflowers can bloom from late March to early April at low elevations, in April and May at medium elevations, and into June in the mountains.

Ghost towns near Death Valley

When the once-booming mining industry for materials such as gold, silver, and lead came to an end, miners and other locals escaped the area for other pursuits, leaving Death Valley with a handful of ghost towns. Rhyolite—once home to two churches and 50 saloons—is the best preserved and most popular, just west of Beatty, Nevada. Panamint City, Ballarat, and Chloride City are also accessible on foot or by car.

Ways to explore

While plenty of people enjoy camping in Death Valley National Park (when weather permits), it’s also a popular day trip from Las Vegas, offering a remote respite from Sin City’s nonstop buzz. Death Valley National Park tours showcase the Mojave Desert’s geology, history, and best viewpoints, with stops at sites such as Badwater Basin, the Ubehebe Crater, the Borax Museum at Furnace Creek Ranch, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Rhyolite Ghost Town, Zabriskie Point, Devil’s Golf Course, Artist’s Palette, and Dante’s Peak. While many people come during the day, sunset and stargazing tours are ideal for those with an interest in astronomy.

If you visit independently, all visitors must have a pass, which varies in price depending on whether you arrive by vehicle or on foot. Once you’ve purchased a pass, they are valid for seven days. Annual passes are also available.

Accessibility

Death Valley offers accessible parking, accommodations, camping, restaurants, and visitor centers, but most hiking areas do not accommodate wheelchairs. Detailed information on the accessibility rating of the park’s hiking trails and viewpoints is listed on the National Parks website.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water, emergency supplies (if not going on a tour), sunscreen

What to wear

Sun protection, hiking shoes, sweatshirt for cooler evenings

Not allowed

Drones, smoking (in some developed areas and near buildings), pets in some areas of the park (check ahead of guidance)

Amenities

Restaurants, general store with a microwave, restrooms, campsites, lodgings, gas station, picnic areas

Address

Death Valley National Park sits at the border of California and Nevada, with the majority of the land in California. It’s about a 2-hour drive to the park from Las Vegas.

Driving

Enter the park on California Highway 190 from Death Valley Junction; 190 is the main road traversing the park from east to west and leads to the Furnace Creek area.

Public transportation

Death Valley National Park isn’t accessible by public transportation. You need to book a tour with transport included if you don’t have your own vehicle.

Best times to visit

Visit first thing in the morning, starting out before sunrise, to avoid extreme heat, or around sunset so that you can see the park with some daylight and stargaze.

Best days to visit

Any day of the week is good for a visit, and while weekends get more crowds, the park is so huge that it won’t matter.

Best months to visit

Some visitors purposely visit in summer simply to experience the extreme heat, but spring, fall, and winter are much more comfortable.

Special events

Wildflower blooms are the park’s best natural special event; they blossom from late March to early April at low elevations, in April and May at medium elevations, and into June in the mountains.