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Death Valley is very much alive
- Lea Appleton
- May 1
- 6 min read
Things to see and do in the desert.
There's something about Death Valley that fascinates me. Maybe because it is both one of the lowest elevation locations and one of the hottest places I've ever visited. I think it's mostly because there is just so much open space. And the combination of mountains, and flatlands, and dunes makes for a unique dessert landscape. It can be a little daunting to think about a visit for those who haven't been because it can seem so austere. But there is so much to take in that you'll likely need a few days to see much of it. Or a few visits—I've been three times, the most recent to see the superbloom in February 2026 (pictured above).
What I liked best about hiking in Death Valley
Due to its other-worldly nature, hiking in Death Valley can feel like you are wandering around in a Star Wars set. I find that pretty cool. And even though it is a well-visited park, because it covers such a large area, the people are pretty spread out so it doesn't really feel crowded. Last year, the only hike where I didn't see anyone was in slot Sidewinder Canyon located off Badwater Road in the southern end of the park. I hiked with my friend all the way through the slot until we scrambled out the top—what a great view! Then we hiked back down and explored a few of the other smaller slot canyons in the same area. A visit to the Mesquite Dunes is a must. It is a photo opportunity, but more than that, you feel transported when you are out on the dunes themselves because the wind makes it impossible to hear anything.
On the visit this year, the hike around Ubehebe Crater was amazing. I had been to the crater previously but hadn't taken the time to explore the whole perimeter. Even though the parking area was completely full (just wait if there isn't a spot as people seem to always be coming and going), once we were hiking in and around the crater, there was plenty of space for everyone. Highly recommend it as you get to see so many smaller volcanic craters as well as an amazing view of the entire valley.
The other short hike that is totally worth the time is the trail from behind the Shoshone Campground over to Dublin Gultch Ghost Town. You can see the homes dug out of the limestone walls. There are even a few you can walk inside. Next time, I will take the nature trail at China Ranch Date Farm to see the Amargosa River Trail.
Things to consider before you set out
While there were other people on most hikes I took, there were almost no amenities. A few of the more popular hikes had a restroom at the trailhead, but many did not. Be prepared for that. And I'd recommend not hiking alone here. I have gone with friends and family each of my visits. Do know that the comfortable hiking season in Death Valley is pretty short, however. My trip last year was the first weekend in May and that was almost too late, because it was already so hot. This year, I went in February, and it was in the mid-80ºs so I still had to cut one of my hikes short so I wouldn't overheat.
How to get there
There are a couple of main ways to arrive at Death Valley National Park. From Southern California (LAX or other area airports), take Highway 395 north and connect with 190 through Ridgecrest, through Trona. This will put you entering in the center of the park. To reach the southern end, take I-15 north and exit and Baker (the place with the gigantic thermometer!) and go north. You'll drive through Shoshone, my favorite place to camp. From the east (Las Vegas and environs) you can also take I-15 south and exit at Baker—this enters from the south so you can visit Shoshone and Tecopa on the way in. Another entry from the east is via highway 95 either direction and then west on the 374.
Places to Stay
Depending on the weather and your choice of type of lodging, Death Valley offers a number of types of accommodations. I love to camp so I usually choose the private Shoshone Campground because I can make a reservation. I love staying at this campground and have returned to it since I can count on a space (and WiFi!). I am not a fan of first-come, first-serve campgrounds; however, I have camped at Wildrose Campground located in the middle and slightly west side of the park and highly recommend for its quiet and more isolated atmosphere. Get there early so you can get a spot. For hotel accommodations, there's The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley and the Stovepipe Wells Hotel. Note: I've only camped in the park, so don't have personal experience with the hotels.
Itinerary
I recommend planning a few days to visit, mostly because this national park covers a vast area and you've got to drive a bit to see things, including simply getting to the park itself. Get a map and plan out your drive. Here are some things I liked in the various locations in Death Valley National Park and surroundings.
Places to Visit
Southern
• Tecota Hot Springs - haven't tried the hot springs but there are lots to choose from here.
• China Ranch Date Farm - drive through a slot canyon to get to this active date farm that sells the best coffee date shake and a date smoothie worth trying (it has mesquite flour in it and is amazing!). And there is a trailhead for the Amargosa River for a short nature hike.
• Dealth Valley Brewing Company & Kit Fox Cafe - amazing food, fun atmosphere, and craft beer and other non-alcoholic drinks available.
• Shonshone Museum - local history and parts of a mastadon complete this small, private museum
• Pup fish - once nearly extinct, you can visit the Pup fish ponds in Shoshone just west of the campground.
• Dublin Gultch Ghost Town - worth the hiking loop to see the community that was built into the limestone cliffs.
• Amargosa Inn & Opera House - on the drive north from Shoshone to get to the park entrance.
Central
• Harmony Borax Works - a short-lived experiment but a bit of local history. You can still buy Twenty Mule Team Borax for laundry that used to be mined here. Now it comes from a mine in Boron, CA.
• Mequite Flat Sand Dunes - worth getting out and hiking however you can go—can be hard to navigate for those with mobility concerns due to the uneven nature of sand.
• Wildrose Charcoal Kilns - a little bit out of the way if you aren't camping out at Wildrose but really interesting to look at.
• Death Valley Visitor Center - geological history, helpful rangers, and plenty of gifts for purchase. You can pick up your National Parks Pass here, too.
• Zabriskie Point - from the top of the lookout you can even see Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.
• Salt Flats - the lowest point in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level, and lower than anywhere else in North America.
• Artist's Palette via Artist's Drive - a one-way car drive through colorful canyons where the rock color is based on the minerals found in each one--green, yellow, purple, etc.
Northern
• Ubehebe Crater - very cool group of volcanic craters that you can hike down into and walk all the way around to see smaller ones from the same source.
• The Racetrack - haven't been since you need to be able to navigate a dirt road for 26 miles, but it looks really interesting in the photos and is on my list for a future visit.
• Scotty's Castle - it's currently closed, but could be an interesting visit if it opens up. Saw it a decade or so ago and was just hard to imagine building something out in the midlle of nowhere!
Recap
• plan your trip around the expected weather, since Death Valley is known to be one of the hotter deserts in summer months, spring and fall are often more comfortable but also more crowded.
• hike with a buddy and bring lots of water even if it seems like it isn't too hot—it's very exposed to the elements so you may need more water than you expect because it is so dry.
• If you wish to camp inside the National Park, most of the campgrounds are first-come, first-serve for sites so get there earlier in the day. There are a few private campgrounds where you can make a reservation on or outside the eastern, western, and southern parts of the park
• don't let the desert landscape deter you from a visit—it's so worth it!
Lea Appleton, PCC, NBC-HWC, is a Wayfinding Guide whose outdoor job is leading Wayfinding Days, Labyrinth Walks, and Team-Building Experiences and whose indoor job is coaching, writing, and speaking. She works with people who sense the path calling—and are learning to trust that it is worth following. Learn more at www.wildwayfinding.com
