Leaving in the morning, it takes roughly 5.5 hours from Los Angeles to Death Valley National Park, and 4.5 hours on the way back, which does, since you were wondering, include a stop at In N’ Out Burger's drive-through. Sweeping vistas at Dante’s View. The park contains an amazing variety of terrain, historic sites, plants and animals for outdoor adventurers to explore. Where you can take your pet during your visit to the park. While many regions of the country are frigid and snow-covered, the landscape of Death Valley National Park enjoys mild temperatures. The top attractions to visit in Death Valley National Park are: What are the best outdoor activities in Death Valley National Park? From hiking the golden Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes to walking across the white Badwater Salt Flat, and from hiking beautiful badlands at Zabriskie Point to admiring colorful mineral deposits at Artist’s Palette, there is a lot to do … This post is part of Just Ahead’s Death Valley Trip Planner—our guide to everything you need to know to plan your trip to Death Valley National Park. From deep canyons to salt flats, sand dunes, and desert peaks, Death Valley is a hiker's paradise. Death Valley’s climate is so dry that, at minimum for a short day-hike, you’ll need to drink at least two liters of water in the cooler months. And with 21 days over 120, this past July in Death Valley was the hottest month all-time at a single location. The most popular things to do in Death Valley National Park with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Dante's View. Famous (and notorious) for the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the world (a sizzling 57 degrees in July 1936) and as the driest spot in North America, from autumn into spring Death Valley is surprisingly inviting. Death Valley National Park is all about extremes. Death Valley is the largest US national park outside of Alaska and the fifth largest US National Park, with 3.4 million acres of land. More than just a scorching desert, Death Valley offers park visitors a striking contrast of landscapes to explore -- from the snow that frosts the park’s towering peaks to the lush wildflower meadows and small oases that provide a reprieve from the heat to seemingly endless desert plains. Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth. Check out Death Valley’s official website for more ideas on things to see and do. Download The Outbound's app for easy navigating on the road. There are lots of things for you to see in Death Valley at sunset, so stay several nights and be sure that one of those sunsets you are at Artist’s Palette. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The best outdoor activities in Death Valley National Park according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the best day trips from Death Valley National Park? Paved roads have narrow shoulders. The versatility of Death Valley also includes a crater resulted from a volcanic explosion. more, Things to Do in Death Valley National Park, CA - Death Valley National Park Attractions. Here’s an epic list of things to do in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is officially the toastiest place on the entire planet, thanks to a scorching day back in 1913 when temperatures reached 134 degrees, the highest ever recorded anywhere on the globe. As the hottest, driest and lowest national park, Death Valley is a land of extremes. Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282-feet below sea level. There are also several established campsites as well as backcountry camping available. Death Valley is desolate, and it can get blazing hot. This half mile wide and around 600 ft deep Ubehebe Crater is located at the north region of the National Park and the landscape is quite different from the other part of the park. Death Valley National Park is the type of city that you will love to visit again and again. Golden Canyon The parking area isn’t very big, but it’s not as popular as some of the more heavily visited areas so you should be able to find a parking spot without too much issue. This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Death Valley National Park getaway. Because of the rough texture of this salt pan on the base of Death Valley, this area was coined “Devil’s Golf Course” because “only the devil could play golf” in this area. Learn about the different locations in the park where Star Wars was filmed and how to visit them. Photo: Kurt Moses. This road runs past the turnoff for Dante's View , Twenty Mule Canyon, and Zabriskie Point, and on to Furnace Creek with a park visitor center and some amenities. 3 Things to Do in Death Valley National Park in Winter The name might sound ominous, but Death Valley National Park in wintertime is strangely inviting. Visit during the new moon to see an amazing showing of stars. It is the hottest place on earth. We have reviews of the best places to see in Death Valley National Park. I highly recommend walking the trail into the basin. Death Valley National Park is one of the largest in the United States. (More on snow later.) This is where Mother Nature is at its mightiest, showcasing what she’s capable of. Some years, there is no rain at this National Park. In order to best utilize your time check out these suggestions for what order to see these amazing places! Discover the best things to do in Death Valley, from must-visit scenic overlooks to sensational hikes and drives through the magical landscapes of the park. Visit Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Death Valley National Park is all about extremes. Artist’s Drive and Palette. Some of the best spots to view the night sky are Harmony Bora works, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Badwater Basin. It holds the world record for hottest temperature, which is 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Its sheer vastness is mind-boggling, the number Death Valley National Park highlights extensive. If you find yourself in the same boat, I’d love to save you some time — this is by far the best guide book on Death Valley National Park. The park stretches over nearly 13,600 km² in the Mojaves Desert of California. Death Valley Full Day Trip (11 hours) Small Group Day Trip To Death Valley (10 hours) Camping - There are two private campgrounds located inside the park with facilities along with many free primitive campgrounds to choose from. Death Valley has hundreds of miles of backcountry roads. From Las Vegas: Enter on CA-190 westbound from Death Valley Junction. Hundreds of miles of of dirt roads provide awesome mountain biking. Prior to our trip, we spent weeks scouring maps, reading guide books and perusing online forums. Some major roads entering the park are Highway 190 via Highway 395 from California and Highway 160 from the south end of Las Vegas that eventually ends up to Highway 190 entering the park. Be sure to stop by the Furnace Creek Visitors Center when you arrive to inquire about points of interest or any other questions you may have about Death Valley activities. Death Valley Points of Interest: Additional Tips and Map of Attractions. Every time you revisit Death Valley National Park you can keep unfolding the different sides of it. Come here to hike through colorful canyons and to see such landmarks as Badwater Basin—at 282 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point in North … The Oasis at Death Valley. Visiting the park and looking for a place to take a run? The park can be a very challenging place, but here are some great options! Today visitors come from all over the world. Devil’s Golf Course. Badwater. Few people know that Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in mainland USA. The most popular things to do in Death Valley National Park with kids according to Tripadvisor travellers are: Dante's View; Zabriskie Point; Titus Canyon; Artist's Drive; Badwater; See all kid friendly things to do in Death Valley National Park on Tripadvisor £ Half the park is after dark! Many of the most famous places in the park can be seen by car. "Because the crater is located far from the main road through Death Valley (60 miles plus roundtrip), it receives little tourist pressure, affording the visitor views without interfering crowds." What to Do in Death Valley if You Only Have One Day If you’ve only got one day, consider making it a priority to visit all the places in Death Valley that the Star Wars series filmed in. In addition to encompassing North America’s lowest point (282 feet or 86 meters below sea level), Death Valley is officially the hottest place in America (134°F or 57°C) and is the largest American national parkoutside … Come early to snag a spot and see this place for yourself. Enhance your experience of Death Valley by joining a ranger-guided tour, nature walk, patio talk, or night program. Looking for the best places to see the sunrise or sunset in the park? Death Valley receives less than 2 inches of water per year. From December through March, everything is cooler and quieter than it is during spring and summer, when the sun’s heat and the … There’s a small parking area here, a boardwalk, and a trail to the salt flats. Zabriskie Point. From the east entrance, Dante’s View is only about half an hour drive away. From two-tracks to graded surfaces, there's something for all skill levels. One day may not be enough to see all of the natural wonders of this amazing park. Titus Canyon. Death Valley is located in eastern California. Famous for the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the world (a sizzling 134 degrees in July 1936) and as the driest spot in North America, from autumn into spring Death Valley is inviting to explore. The best day trips from Death Valley National Park according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Death Valley National Park with kids? February may not seem like an obvious time to plan an amazing outdoor adventure, but it just so happens to be the prime month to visit one of America’s most iconic National Parks: Death Valley. What to do in Death Valley if you have 1 day Hit the highlights! No wonder there are so many things to do in Death Valley! Death Valley became a national park on October 31, 1994, making it one of the newest additions to the growing list of US national parks. Other quick and easy hikes in Death Valley: 6. Learn about Death Valley's night sky viewing opportunities. Of all the things to do in Death Valley, this is definitely the main attraction in the park. Staying Safe in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is a BIG place with multiple entrances/exits. Manzanar National Historic Site, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Rhyolite Ghost Town, and more! The must see-spots are: Badwater Basin, Devils Golf Course, Artists Drive, Zabriskie Point, and Mesquite Flat Sand dunes . Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park. This area of California was called Death Valley by prospectors on their way to the goldfields. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Death Valley Guide Books. Its geographical position favours its arid climate because the area is protected by 5 mountain ranges, including Sierra Nevada in … Death Valley is best known for its heat. Things To Do. There are several driving routes throughout Death Valley and it is definitely a great thing to do in the park during winter. Artist's Drive. Don't miss these "must see" points. The second hottest month? Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Dante’s View. There are four lodges in the park, including the Oasis at Death Valley and the Inn. Death Valley is made up of over three million acres of astounding wilderness. Cross country adventures for a true wilderness experience. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Death Valley Day Trip Things to do and see and while visiting Death Valley. The best way to do this is to head out on highway 160 (leaving from the south end of Las Vegas) to Death Valley Junction, where the road becomes highway 190, entering the park. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Death Valley National Park, California on Tripadvisor: See 34,194 traveller reviews and photos of Death Valley National Park tourist attractions. 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What are the top attractions to visit in Death Valley National Park? Death Valley has a variety of campgrounds from primitive to full hook-up. See all kid friendly things to do in Death Valley National Park on Tripadvisor. Death Valley is a vast national park with over three million acres of designated Wilderness and hundreds of miles of backcountry roads. If you wish to start your Death Valley in winter experience with a bang, Dante’s View is the ideal place – a viewpoint on a mountaintop at … ; Practice Leave No Trace To get more information on campgrounds in Death Valley see our Death Valley National Park travel guide. The park contains an amazing variety of terrain, historic sites, plants and animals for outdoor adventurers to explore. Along the backcountry road known as Artist’s Drive, explore the rolling volcanic and sedimentary hills painted in a multitude of colors by the Earth’s … It is your responsibility to leave no trace of your visit so everyone can enjoy Death Valley for generations to come. Not your typical desert, Death Valley is a place where the use of superlatives is appropriate, necessary even. So, since we were visiting Southern California and Channel Islands National Park in January anyway, it was not too big of a deal to add on a four-hour drive to Death Valley and see it when there were fewer people, some water, and even snow. Here are our recommendations! In spite of this, the park has only one visitor center which is located in Furnace Creek. Visiting Death Valley in the winter is the way to do it. Death Valley is a vast national park with over three million acres of designated Wilderness and hundreds of miles of backcountry roads. 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