Death Valley California: How To Prepare For Your First Trip

Death Valley National Park hours and fees

Furnace Creek Visitor Center & Museum is open daily from 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Fees for 2023:

• Individual Entrance Fee: $15 for 7 days
• Motorcycle Entrance Fee: $25 for 7 days
• Vehicle Entrance Fee: $30 for 7 days
• Death Valley Annual Pass: $55 for one year

Best time to visit Death Valley National Park

It is really important to consider when you travel to Death Valley National Park to have the best possible experience. The best time to visit Death Valley National Park is either in fall or spring, between September and October or March to May. November - March is the park's peak season. Our favorite times to visit:

• Late October is a great time to visit. This is when the camping season begins, but the crowds have yet to arrive. The temperatures are comfortable and range anywhere from 50ºF – 70ºF.
• March to early May offers the most ideal weather. This is also the time when the vibrant wildflower bloom occurs, which usually peaks around late March. The last super bloom in Death Valley happened in 2016 and the one before that in was 2005. The super bloom happens on average every 10 years. Nash and I happened to be in Death Valley in 2016 to witness the super bloom. At the time we didn't even know that this was the rare super bloom, we just drove into the park and were wowed by massive fields of flowers spread throughout the park. It was one of those moments that we will never forget.

Temperatures during the summer months (May – September) can soar up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and are almost unbearable outside of your air-conditioned car.

Winter (December - February) can get quite cold and flash floods should not be ignored especially during January & February, the wettest month of the year.

Where to Camp In Death Valley National Park

The park boasts a total of nine campgrounds, four of which are free of charge:

• Emigrant — Tents only, 10 Campsites, open all year
• Wildrose — 23 Campsites, open all year
• Thorndike — 6 Campsites, open spring-fall
• Mahogany Flat — 10 Campsites, open spring-fall, 4WD Required

All campgrounds are first-come, first-served, except for the Furnace Creek Campground. Furnace Creek Campground ($22) is open all year round. Because this is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park, you can make reservations from the 15th of October – 15th of April. It has a total of 136 sites and is especially popular for RVs and group camping. To make reservations call 1-877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov.

During the most popular months from October - April all camping spots are accessible and open. But don't worry, with 500 camping spots in total, it is highly unlikely that the park will ever fill up completely. For example, Sunset Campground ($14) with 270 camping sites as well as Stovepipe Wells ($14) with 190 sites hardly ever fills up. You can arrive at any time of the day since you will be paying directly at the campground after you find your spot for the night. Be aware that the automated machines at the campgrounds only take credit or debit cards. No cash. If you plan to go during the hot summer months of May – September, be aware that all campgrounds are open. This means that they can get quite busy, especially during holiday weekends. So if you don’t plan ahead, chances are you might not get a campground. Reservations during the summer months are definitely recommended!

Best Hikes In Death Valley

The best time to hike in Death Valley is between November and March. It is not recommended to hike during the hot summer months. But if you insist, make sure to stay hydrated, carry extra water, protect yourself from the elements, and don’t forget to wear layers. Although Death Valley is known to be hot during the day it can get quite cold if not freezing once the sun falls behind the horizon.

Badlands Loop (2.5-miles roundtrip): You will find the trailhead just north of the Zabriskie Point parking lot. Badlands offers a multitude of fun hikes weaving through and above the otherworldly terrain. Wander through the rolling hills of the badlands, past several abandoned borax mine tunnels, and along a section of the Gower Gulch Loop. About half a mile in you will find signs indicating the beginning of the loop. For more detailed information about this hike click here.

Golden Canyon & Gower Gulch via Zabriskie Point (5.8-miles roundtrip):This big loop wraps together the Golden Canyon, the Gower Gulch, the Red Cathedral, and Badlands all into one breathtaking hike. We would highly recommend to time your hike to finish the trail at sunset, that way you can watch the glow of the setting sun, light up the red cathedral and badlands. The hike can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours depending on your fitness level, so make sure to plan accordingly. Just like Badlands Loop, you will at the Zabriskie Point. For more detailed information about this hike click here.

Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail (1.8-miles roundtrip):This is an easy and simple walk into the salt flats, where you will find salt crystals as far as the eye can see. The highlight of the Badwater Basin is that it is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. You are literally under the ocean yet in the desert. What a paradox!

Desolation Canyon Trail (3.6-miles roundtrip):This hike will guide you through a colorful canyon, but the highlight of the hike is the stunning view once you reach the top. Be aware that there are two dry waterfalls to overcome which will require climbing. The first one is about 8 feet tall and the second one is 6 feet tall. On your return, you will have to either slide or climb down. For more detailed information about this hike click here. Natural Bridge Canyon Trail (2-miles roundtrip):This trail leads right into the mouth of the canyon. Within half a mile you can already reach the 50-foot tall natural bridge, which was caused by erosion. You can reach the trailhead from Furnace Creek. To get there drive 13 miles south on Badwater Road and turn left on to a dirt road toward Natural Bridge Canyon. It is about 1.5 miles from Badwater Road to the trailhead. Artist’s Palette (1-mile roundtrip):This is an easy trail with great views of the palette. It is hardly considered a hike but well worth getting out of the car for. Like we mentioned above, you can find this hike on the 9 mile Artist's Drive. From the parking lot, you will continue on foot the last 0.4 miles until you reach the multi-colored mountains. They are even more impressive up close.