Death Valley National Park

North America's lowest and hottest desert national park, with Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and starry skies over the dunes; a classic overnight stop on a Los Angeles–Las Vegas road trip.

Death Valley National Park straddles the border between eastern California and Nevada. Covering about 14,000 km², it is the largest national park in the contiguous United States and the lowest, hottest and driest place in North America: Badwater Basin lies 86 m below sea level, and in 1913 Furnace Creek recorded 56.7°C, the highest air temperature on record in the world. The park divides into a few areas. The central area around Furnace Creek is the main focus, with Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course, Artists Drive, Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon and Dante's View all within an hour's drive. In the north-central area around Stovepipe Wells are the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Mosaic Canyon and Salt Creek. The north holds Ubehebe Crater, Scotty's Castle and the Racetrack Playa, reachable only off-road, while the west has Rainbow Canyon and Darwin Falls. The best season is November to March, with daytime temperatures around 20°C, and in wet years wildflowers bloom in February–March. From June to September daytime temperatures often exceed 45°C, so limit visits to short early-morning stops and don't hike at low elevations after 10 am. Getting there: driving is the only option, about 2 hours from Las Vegas or 4.5 hours from Los Angeles, and the park is a common stop on American Southwest road trips. Gas stations in the park are few and expensive, so fill up before entering. Lodging is concentrated at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs; book ahead in peak season. Plan on 1–2 days: sunrise at Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course and Artists Drive in the morning, sunset at Dante's View or the dunes, then stargazing at night (the park is an International Dark Sky Park). Tips: cell coverage is minimal, so download offline maps in advance; carry at least 4 litres of water per person per day; gravel roads often close after rain, and off-road routes require a high-clearance 4WD vehicle; the entrance fee is charged per vehicle, valid for 7 days, and the America the Beautiful annual pass is accepted.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries