Things to See and Do at Death Valley National Park

At a Glance

3.4 million acres • Sea level minus 282 ft to 11,000 ft • Best November through March • Plan 3+ days

Almost no amenities at trailheads. Carry far more water than you expect to need. Hike with someone.

Full planning details at the end of this post.

Why Death Valley is Worth the Drive

There’s something about Death Valley that fascinates me because contrary to it's name, it’s very much alive. 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 desert 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).

The Best Hikes in Death Valley National Park

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 Sidewinder Canyon located off Badwater Road in the southern end of the park. I hiked with my friend all the way through the slot canyon 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 Gulch 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.

What This Landscape Asks of Your Body

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. I bring an item called a Freshette, which let’s me pee in the backcountry without having to disrobe and squat. It’s not for everyone, but it I found it helpful here when there weren’t even bushes I could hide behind. The other item that I strongly recommend whether you stand or squat is a Kula Cloth. Leave your toilet paper at home since you need to pack it out anyway. 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 during 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 still in the mid-80s so I still had to cut one of my hikes short so I wouldn’t overheat.

View of China Ranch

How to Get to Death Valley National Parl

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 at 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.

Where to Stay in Death Valley

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-served 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.

Planning Your Death Valley 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 in Death Valley

One of the homes in Dublin Gulch Ghost Town in Shoshone.

Southern Death Valley and Shoshone

• Tecopa 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.

• Death Valley Brewing Company & Kit Fox Cafe - amazing food, fun atmosphere, and craft beer and other non-alcoholic drinks available.

• Shoshone Museum - local history and parts of a mastodon complete this small, private museum

• Pupfish - once nearly extinct, you can visit the pupfish ponds in Shoshone just west of the campground.

• Dublin Gulch Ghost Town - worth the hiking loop to see the community that was built into the limestone cliffs in Shoshone.

• Amargosa Opera House and Hotel - in Death Valley Junction, on the drive north from Shoshone to get to the park entrance.

Lea on the top of one of the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes.

Central Death Valley

• 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.

• Mesquite 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 - a paved trail gets you to the top of the lookout area.

• Dante’s View - from here you can even see Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States.

• Salt Flats - the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.

• Artists Palette via Artists 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.

Lea at Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley National Park.

Northern Death Valley

• 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 again. Saw it a decade or so ago and it was just hard to imagine building something out in the middle of nowhere!

Plan Your Own Trip to Death Valley National Park

Where	Southern California, straddling the Nevada border. Largest national park in the lower 48 at 3.4 million acres.
Distance	Trails are short. Drives are long. Plan on at least hour driving between major areas.
Time	Three days minimum. I’ve been there times and still have a list.
Season	November through March. 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.
Terrain	Deep sand at the dunes, loose scree at the volcanic craters, rock scrambling in the slot canyons. all at low elevation.
Permit	No permit needed for day hikes. Should you with to backpack the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, you need to obtain a permit at reservation.gov. Entrance fee required per vehicle, valid for seven days, or use an America the Beautiful pass. Both can be purchased at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Water	Bring lots of water even if it seems like it isn’t too hot—the terrain is very exposed to the elements and extremely dry so you may need more water than you expect.
Food Storage	No bear concerns. Keep food secured—plastic bins work fine. Store scented items in your vehicle.
Camping/Lodging	Shoshone Campground is private, reservable, and has WiFi. Wildrose inside the park is first-come, first-served, more remote, and needs an early arrival, especially on the weekends, to secure a spot. Hotels include the Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley, and Stovepipe Wells.
Getting There	From Southern California, take the 395 north to 190 through Ridgecrest and Trona, or I-15 to Baker and north through Shoshone. From Las Vegas, take I-15 south to Baker, or hwy 95 to hwy 374 west.
Afterward	Death Valley Brewing Company and Kit Fox Cafe in Tecopa, plus the coffee date smoothie at China Ranch.
Watch For	Heat and dehydation. Restrooms only occasionally at trailheads. Long streches of road without cell service, fule or other services. Plan ahead.
Good For	Day hikers and car campers. Not a good fit for those sensitive to heat.
Still on My List	The Racetrack (26 miles of dirt road) and the Amargosa River Trail at China Ranch.

Don‘t let the desert landscape deter you from a visit—it’s so worth it!

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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

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