Perched in the California desert, right along the Nevada state line, it should come as no surprise that Death Valley is pretty parched. In fact, traveling to Death Valley brings you to the driest and hottest national park in the US. Literally, the hottest temperature on Earth was recorded in Death Valley at Badwater Basin back in 1913, coming in at a whopping 137 degrees.
There are three million acres ready for exploring around Death Valley NP, but it's best done during the cooler months, making Death Valley the perfect winter travel destination. From the spectacular colors of the badlands to the puzzle piece salt flats to the insane stargazing in a gold tier dark sky rating, Death Valley is full of adventure that could fill two weeks. For those on a time crunch (or with a normal vacation day allotment), these are the top activities to prioritize around Death Valley.
Absolute must-do activities around Death Valley National Park:
Catch the sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Head to the lowest point in North America
Hike Gower Gulch Loop via Golden Canyon
Go hunting for the rare pupfish at Salt Creek
Soak up the colors of Artists Palette
Watch the sunset over the Mesquite Sand Dunes
CATCH SUNRISE AT ZABRISKIE POINT
The views of the mountains in the background catching the red sunrise are nothing short of spectacular. It's a unique way to experience a sunrise as you won't be looking in the same direction as the sun. Zabriskie Point is the absolute most wild place to watch the sunrise in Death Valley. The colorful badlands slowly catch the warm hues as the sun rises higher in the sky. For bonus cool points, venture out onto the badlands before sunrise but the viewing point is pretty wonderful.
HEAD TO THE LOWEST POINT IN NORTH AMERICA
Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park sits at a cool -282 feet below sea level. The stunning valley is covered with snow, oh wait, no that's salt. Salt flats lay along the prehistoric lake bed. You can free roam into the valley and explore the strange salt formations. We're talking two-foot-tall, ice sculpture look-alikes. Badwater Basin is definitely a top site in the park. For those heading here in the warmer months, come in the early morning when the sun is still hidden behind the mountains.
HIKE GOWER GULCH LOOP VIA GOLDEN CANYON
Holy wow. This Death Valley hike is absolutely mind-blowing. The views and the canyons will drop your jaw as the terrain evolves around every bend. Think total Star Wars vibes. The Gower Gulch loop clocks in at about 4 miles round trip. I'd suggest that you start your hike by going right from the parking lot along the hilly ridgeline and into the canyons. This route will allow you a tremendous overlook going down on the way out. I ended up hiking backward to take it all in. One cool thing about this Death Valley hike is that it connects to Zabriskie Point too so you can wind and wander as you please to cover as much ground as you're in the mood for.
Check out the full list of hiking trails around Death Valley National Park here.
GO HUNTING FOR THE RARE PUPFISH AT SALT CREEK
Yes, you read that right. Salt Creek in Death Valley is a flowing stream that is home to the rare pupfish, a species that can survive in extremely salty water. This is an easy boardwalk stroll. Go hunting for the little critters and take some time to soak in the sounds of water, a rarity of your experience in this national park. The road to this point is unpaved, but can usually be handled by a sedan.
SOAK UP THE COLORS OF ARTISTS PALETTE
Take a drive up to one of the coolest viewpoints in Death Valley. Artists Drive is a crazy winding road that takes you up to Artists Palette. This spot is a free-range mountain side loaded with the colors of the many elements and metals that are found around the park. Artists Palette is hands down the most instagrammable spot in all of Death Valley, and perhaps the single-handed reason for some people traveling to Death Valley in the first place.
WATCH SUNSET OVER THE MESQUITE SAND DUNES
Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park with a GOLD tier rating, meaning that the night skies are pristine from light pollution. The dudes themselves are grand in the middle of the mountain ranges and can soar as high as 100 ft. To hike to the highest dune, it's about 2 miles from the parking lot. The cool thing about sand is that it's all the same so you can stop whenever you want to.
Other Things to Expect While Traveling to Death Valley
Staying & Camping in Death Valley:
There are a few different options when it comes to camping in Death Valley, most of which are on a first come first serve basis. The campgrounds in Furnace Creek are the only ones that allow for reservations as it’s perched centrally in the park for easier access to all of the scenic spots. There are a few lovely hotels and resorts to pick from within the park which will certainly be a blessing as an escape. from the harsh weather conditions.
Cell Service:
There is pretty much zero cell service in the park so plan your journey accordingly. The smallest morsel of service we were able to find was on the road to Artist's Palette.
More tips on cool places to visit around Death Valley? Shoot them to talesofexploration@gmail.com.
