Death Valley holds records for the highest air temperature ever measured on Earth. In winter it is one of the most beautiful desert parks anywhere, with salt flats, dunes and colourful canyons.
What to do
- Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level
- Zabriskie Point at sunrise
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
- Artists Drive
Fees: $30 per vehicle (seven days).
Tip: From May to September it is dangerously hot: Furnace Creek often passes 120 °F (49 °C) in July. Carry lots of water, a full tank and don’t hike after 10 am.
Heat and safety
Carry at least a gallon (4 litres) of water per person for a desert day, a hat and sunscreen. Phone signal is patchy outside town: download maps before you go and tell someone your plan. From June to September, finish any hiking by mid-morning.
How to spend the day
- Leave very early: it is about two hours each way.
- Visit Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin and Artist’s Drive.
- Do not hike after 10 am in summer.
Bring
- A full tank of fuel
- A gallon of water per person
- Offline maps: phone signal is patchy
Frequently asked questions
How far is Death Valley National Park from Las Vegas?
About 125 miles. About 2 hours to Furnace Creek by car from the Strip.
When is the best time to visit Death Valley National Park?
November to March.
How much does it cost to visit Death Valley National Park?
$30 per vehicle (seven days).
Have you stayed at or visited Death Valley National Park?
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