Being the lowest and hottest place in the United States – Death Valley appears to be nothing more than a wasteland. However, it is much more! Sand dunes, volcanic craters, mountains, and wildlife!
Where To Find It
Death Valley is a desert valley in Eastern California, in the northern Mojave Desert, bordering the Great Basin Desert. During summer, it is one of the hottest places on Earth, along with deserts in the Middle East and the Sahara.
The easiest way to get there is by car. Rent a car if you are flying into Las Vegas, an easy 2-hour drive to Death Valley. Another option is to fly into Los Angeles California and take a small road trip to cover the Channel Islands, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley (a 4 1/2-hour drive) These two are the closest cities and are great airport locations.
Pro tip: be sure to keep an eye out for your car’s coolant system, especially in the summer months as the car can heat up quickly. Another thing to keep an eye on is the gas. Be sure to have a full tank before starting the drive into the Park, as the service stations are few and far between. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle (valid for 7 days).
Where To Stay
The Oasis at Death Valley is a beautiful lodge, situated in a lush oasis surrounded by the vast desert of Death Valley National Park. This secluded 4-diamond resort has operated for more than 90 years, and still pampers every guest. This property hosts two hotels – the historic, 4-diamond Inn at Death Valley consisting of 66 hotel rooms and 22 Casitas. The Inn at Death Valley offers guests elegant accommodations in the heart of Death Valley.
And the more family-oriented 224-room Ranch at Death Valley. The Ranch at Death Valley is the energetic center of the resort and has been welcoming guests since 1933. It offers a casual, family-like setting – the perfect complement to the classic elegance of The Inn at Death Valley. There’s lots of room to spread out with huge lawns set along an 18-hole golf course – the lowest elevation course in the world, a natural spring-fed pool to help keep cool, and rooms with exterior entrances and private patios. And plenty of shops to keep you busy!
There are a total of nine campsites at Death Valley. October-April is the busiest time at Death Valley and sites fill up quickly. Reservations are only available for Furnace Creek Campground all others are first-come, first-served.
May-September there are few campgrounds open in the summer months due to the extreme temperatures (midnight temperatures can still be over 100 degrees!) Open campgrounds are ALL first-come, first-serve. You will need to travel to the campground to find an empty spot, and then you can pay your campground fee at the automated, self-help kiosk with a credit or debit card.
Where To Eat
Even if you are not staying at the lodge, there are plenty of eating options at The Oasis. The Last Kind Words Saloon. This fantastic restaurant brings the West of old to Death Valley! And the food is delicious but pricy! The Inn Dining Room offers fine dining with stunning views of the desert salt pans and the majestic Panamint Mountains. Ice Cream Parlor is the newest and sweetest addition to the historic Ranch at Death Valley’s Town Square, the Ice Cream Parlor brings the old-timey soda fountain and ice cream parlor to Death Valley.
1849 Restaurant is located in the middle of the Town Square at the Ranch. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (reservations required). Plus, there are great to-go food options as you set out for adventure in Death Valley National Park.
What To Pack
I would recommend visiting this park in the morning or evening hours, especially during the summer months. (But I don’t really recommend going there at all during that time). The desert sun can be hot and it is hard to find any shade in Death Valley. Do not underestimate the power of the desert sun. Please protect yourself and bring these items with you on your trip.
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The most obvious is water! I love my Hydro Flask. It keeps my water cool and sometimes the ice doesn’t even melt until the end of the day!
Hat and Sunglasses- these will keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. Making your outdoor adventures must more enjoyable. Here is the hat I wear!
Sunscreen – no one likes to get sunburned on their weekend getaways. Apply sunscreen in the morning and be sure to reapply if needed. This is my favorite kind.
Aloe – in case you do miss a spot with your sunscreen bring aloe to soothe those burns.
Climate and Best Time To Go
Death Valley is famous as the hottest place on earth and the driest place in North America. The world record highest air temperature of 134F (57C) was recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Summer temperatures often top 120F (49C) in the shade with overnight lows dipping into the 90sF (mid-30sC.) The average rainfall is less than 2 inches. Occasional thunderstorms, especially in late summer, can cause flash floods.
In contrast to the extremes of summer, winter, and spring are very nice. Winter temperatures are mild in the low elevations, with averages of the 50s and 60s F (10-15C) with cool nights that only occasionally reach freezing. Higher elevations are cooler than the low valley.
Sunny skies are the norm in Death Valley, with the occasional winter storms and summer monsoons that can bring cloud cover and rain. The wind is common in the desert, especially in the spring. Dust storms can suddenly blow up with approaching cold fronts.
The best months to visit Death Valley is November through March (Spring is the most popular!) with the early mornings being the best time to explore the park!
Bucket List Activities
Climb up and slide down the hills of Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Visit the lowest place in the USA at Badwater Basin!
Star Wars at Death Valley!
Want to visit Tatooine? If so, take a trip to Death Valley National Park! The famous Star Wars movie series filmed scenes in the park for Episode IV – A New Hope and Episode V – Return of the Jedi. The most famous locations are the Golden Canyon Trail, see if you can spot the rocks the Jawa’s hide under before ambushing R2D2. Dante’s View is a gorgeous overlook all on its own. This spot is also the view of Mos Eisley Space Port you can see as Ben Kenobi says “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.”
Instagram Worthy Spots
It will be hard to put your camera away while visiting this park. But if I had to choose, my favorite spots for that Insta pic would be:
Zabriskie Point, capture the waves of stone with swirls of caramels and beiges.
Artist Drive, this one-way drive is a highlight of the park as well as a great spot to snap those photos! Find the splashes of blues, pinks, and greens hiding along the walls of the canyon.
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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