Death Valley National Park California, USA Travel Guide
Death Valley's vast landscape features a range of geologic wonders and historic sites.
Arrive early for sunrise. Colors shift throughout the day. Avoid mid-day in summer, as heat can be extreme and reflective.
Remote dirt road access (high-clearance vehicle). Less preserved, a true backcountry experience. Evokes history and isolation.
Ten beehive-shaped stone kilns (1879). Converted wood to charcoal for mines. A testament to industrial scale. Higher, cooler elevation.
Productive gold mine (early 20th century). Difficult road, high-clearance vehicle. Tramway remains visible. Site unsafe, stay on paths.
A scenic 9-mile one-way loop drive. Winds through colorful hillsides painted with mineral deposits. Best visited in the late afternoon.
Expansive area with jagged, eroded salt formations. Surface formed by ongoing growth of salt crystals. Exercise extreme care when walking.
Death Valley boasts a stunning array of natural wonders beyond its most famous landmarks.
A popular hiking canyon known for its colorful, eroded walls that glow in the sunlight.
Various hiking options, from a relatively easy 1-mile walk to longer loops connecting to Red Cathedral or Manly Beacon.
A unique slot canyon near Stovepipe Wells with polished marble walls and mosaic-like breccia formations. Exploration involves scrambling.
A short, relatively easy hike leads to a natural rock bridge formation from water erosion.
A scenic, one-way unpaved road winding through colorful badlands. Offers a feeling of remoteness.
A spectacular, unpredictable natural event after sufficient winter rains, typically late February to early April.
A large, half-mile wide volcanic crater formed from a massive steam explosion. Often very windy at the rim.
A boardwalk trail over a rare perennial stream. Home to the Death Valley pupfish, an endangered species. Best visited in spring.
Attractions generally do not require tickets. Most park access needs the entrance fee. Trailheads for hiking are open access.
Death Valley's natural attractions generally do not require tickets or advance booking, except for specific tours run by concessionaires or permits for backcountry access.
For those looking to venture beyond the most popular spots, Death Valley holds numerous hidden gems.
A spectacular one-way scenic drive (west to east). This unpaved road features dramatic geology, a narrow slot canyon, and ancient Native American petroglyphs.
A remote, dry lakebed famous for its "moving rocks" – rocks that leave long trails across the playa. The mechanism of their movement involves ice and wind.
The tallest dunes in California, up to 680 feet high. Very remote and known for their "singing" or "booming" sound under specific conditions.
A vast, remote salt flat accessible via unpaved roads.
Always check with the National Park Service for current road conditions, especially for unpaved roads and remote sites.
Be aware of any specific vehicle requirements (e.g., high-clearance, 4x4) for certain routes before venturing out.
The mine sites themselves are unsafe due to unstable structures and open shafts; visitors must stay on marked paths and observe warning signs.
A scenic one-way loop through colorful hillsides painted with mineral deposits. Best in late afternoon for optimal light.
Easily accessible and frequently visited sand dunes. Ideal for sunrise or sunset photography, minimal footprints at dawn.
A panoramic viewpoint at 5,475 feet above sea level. Offers a breathtaking vista of Death Valley below. Very windy and colder than the valley floor.
An expansive area of jagged, eroded salt formations. Surface formed by ongoing growth of salt crystals. Exercise extreme care.
A large, half-mile wide and 600-foot deep volcanic crater. Formed from a massive steam explosion. Often very windy at the rim.
Death Valley offers places to learn about its environment and history.
A small, open-air museum located at The Ranch at Death Valley.
Artist's Drive is best visited in the late afternoon. The angle of the sun at this time catches optimal light that significantly highlights the colors.
Devil's Golf Course: Do not attempt to walk far on the formations, as they are extremely sharp. Listen for the unique "popping" sound of salt crystals.
From the heights of Ubehebe Crater to the rare desert waterfall, Death Valley offers diverse natural wonders and unique experiences.
A large, half-mile wide (0.8 km) and 600-foot deep (183 meters) volcanic crater. Formed from a phreatomagmatic eruption where magma interacted with groundwater.
A boardwalk trail built over a rare perennial stream. This stream supports an unique and fragile ecosystem.
A popular hiking canyon known for its colorful, eroded walls that glow in the sunlight.
The narrow passages and towering walls create an immersive experience. Colors change with sun angle.
A unique slot canyon near Stovepipe Wells. Its name comes from its polished marble walls and mosaic-like breccia formations.
Creates intricate patterns on the canyon walls.
A short, relatively easy hike leads to a natural rock bridge formation. The bridge results from water erosion carving through the rock.
Best visited in the late afternoon. The angle of the sun at this time catches the optimal light that highlights the colors of the mineral deposits.
Do not attempt to walk far on the formations, as they are extremely sharp and can cause injury. Listen for the "popping" sound of salt crystals.
Often very windy at the rim; hold onto hats and gear. The hike into and out of the crater is strenuous due to loose cinder and steepness.
