Death Valley National Park

Death Valley

America's hottest and lowest point, offering otherworldly desert landscapes with colorful badlands and unique geological features. A fascinating destination for extreme nature lovers and photographers.

Things to do

• Badwater Basin — Visit the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, featuring vast salt flats and stunning views across the valley.
• Zabriskie Point — Hike to this iconic overlook featuring colorful badlands with golden, purple, and brown hues, especially stunning at sunrise.
• Sand Dunes — Explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes where you can climb towering dunes and walk across rippled patterns in the sand.
• Artist's Palette — Drive this scenic loop to see hillsides painted in natural mineral colors including reds, greens, purples, and yellows.
• Telescope Peak Trail — Summit this challenging 14-mile round-trip hike from 5,000 feet to 11,049 feet, offering views of both Death Valley and Mount Whitney.
• Racetrack Playa — Witness the mysterious moving rocks that slide across this remote dry lakebed, leaving trails in the salt-encrusted ground.
• Golden Canyon Trail — Hike through this slot canyon with dramatic golden and russet colored walls, offering shorter and longer route options.

Food to try

• Mine shaft mine-crafted meals at Furnace Creek Ranch — The only major dining option in the park serves hearty American comfort food designed to refuel after desert exploration.
• Dates from Death Valley dates — Local date products are sold at the visitor center, reflecting the small agricultural heritage of nearby Furnace Creek oasis.
• Packed trail snacks and water — Most visitors prepare picnic meals and bring abundant water, as the extreme heat and remote location make dining options scarce.
• Shoshone Village local goods — The nearby town of Shoshone offers a small restaurant serving basic fare in this gateway community south of Death Valley.

Local customs & good to know

• Prepare extensively for extreme heat — Bring at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, start hikes early, and check conditions as temperatures exceed 120°F in summer.
• Respect the Timbisha Shoshone heritage — The Timbisha Shoshone people are the ancestral inhabitants; visit their cultural sites respectfully and support their community enterprises.
• Plan for vast distances between services — The park spans 3,400 square miles with limited gas, food, and lodging; fill up fuel in Furnace Creek or prepare to drive 45+ minutes between destinations.
• Follow leave-no-trace principles strictly — Stay on marked trails to protect fragile desert ecosystems and avoid disturbing the geological and archaeological features that define the valley.