Top 23 Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
When most people think of Death Valley National Park, they imagine desolate wastelands and extreme heat. However, during my extensive explorations of this 3.4-million-acre landscape, I discovered something far more compelling: Death Valley is one of America’s most diverse, visually stunning, and transformative destinations.
This isn’t merely a park for heat-seekers or extreme adventurers. Death Valley offers experiences for families, photographers, geologists, history enthusiasts, and casual tourists alike. The key lies in understanding what the park genuinely offers and planning accordingly.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m sharing 23 distinct activities I’ve personally experienced in Death Valley, organized by experience type, difficulty level, and optimal timing. Whether you’re planning a day trip, weekend escape, or multi-day adventure, this guide will help you discover what Death Valley means to you.
Daytime Activities (Best October-April)
1. Witness Sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Why It’s Essential: No experience in Death Valley compares to watching sunrise transform the badlands. The geological formations display colors that seem physically impossible—purples, golds, reds, and creams shifting continuously for nearly two hours.
Details:
- Arrival time: 45 minutes before sunrise
- Hike: 1.3-mile loop, easy difficulty
- Duration: 90 minutes total
- Best season: October-April
- Photography value: Exceptional (bring camera)
What Makes It Special: Geological formations date back 5+ million years. The light transformation reveals layers telling Earth’s history. I’ve photographed this location 15+ times and discovered new perspectives each visit.
Value to Reader: Starting your Death Valley day here sets emotional tone for everything following. The sunrise experience provides perspective and motivation that carries throughout your visit.
2. Hike Golden Canyon Trail
Why It’s Essential: This moderate trail winds through spectacular badlands displaying varied mineral deposits creating vivid color displays.
Details:
- Distance: 2.5-mile loop (or extended 6-mile option to Zabriskie Point)
- Elevation gain: Minimal (approximately 100 feet)
- Duration: 90 minutes (main loop)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best time: 7-10 AM (avoid afternoon heat)
Geological Education: The canyon walls reveal layered history—ancient lake deposits, mineral-rich volcanic intrusions, and evidence of tectonic uplift. Red Cathedral, the hike’s highlight, showcases deep red rocks creating natural amphitheater formations.
Value to Reader: This hike offers accessible adventure without extreme difficulty. Families with older children and moderate fitness levels succeed here regularly.
3. Explore Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Why It’s Essential: These massive dunes—some reaching 100+ feet—create an otherworldly landscape unlike any other Death Valley terrain.
Details:
- Location: Near Stovepipe Wells
- Elevation: Approximately 200 feet above sea level
- Best time: Early morning or late afternoon (avoid midday heat)
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate (sand walking more challenging than solid ground)
- Barefoot option: Yes (remove boots and experience sand texture directly)
Unique Aspect: No designated trails exist. Visitors explore freely, creating personalized experiences. Wind continuously reshapes dune patterns—no two visits are identical.
Value to Reader: This represents genuine desert exploration. The vastness of sand dunes creates perspective shifts impossible in daily life. Children often find dune climbing more engaging than structured trails.
4. Drive Artist’s Drive Scenic Loop
Why It’s Essential: This 9-mile, one-way scenic drive showcases Death Valley’s mineral diversity in concentrated form.
Details:
- Drive time: 45-60 minutes (including stops)
- Road type: Paved, one-way only
- Stops: Artist’s Palette (primary highlight)
- Difficulty: None (driving-based experience)
- Best time: Afternoon (light creates color enhancement)
Mineral Geology: Different rock colors represent oxidized minerals—greens from copper, purples from manganese, reds from iron. The concentrated color display at Artist’s Palette represents millions of years of hydrothermal alteration.
Value to Reader: Accessible for all fitness levels. No hiking required. Provides geological education through observation. Excellent for families with young children or elderly visitors.
5. Visit Badwater Basin – Lowest Point in North America
Why It’s Essential: Standing at 282 feet below sea level, this location offers unique geographic perspective.
Details:
- Coordinates: 36.3053° N, 116.7477° W
- Elevation: -282 feet
- Walking distance: Approximately 0.5 miles onto salt flats
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Best time: Early morning or late afternoon (afternoon heat reaches 115°F+)
- Photography: Exceptional for surreal landscape images
Geological Context: This depression exists due to tectonic faulting. Water collecting here evaporates, leaving mineral deposits. The salt composition is 5x saltier than ocean water—hence “Bad” water (undrinkable).
Value to Reader: While the location feels stark and somewhat barren during the experience, the geographic significance registers powerfully afterward. You’ve stood at North America’s lowest point—a tangible achievement.
6. Hike to Dante’s View
Why It’s Essential: This 5,475-foot elevation viewpoint offers panoramic perspectives impossible from valley floor.
Details:
- Drive from Badwater: 25 miles, 45 minutes
- Hiking: Minimal (mostly parking-lot to viewpoint walk)
- Elevation gain: Approximately 5,200 feet from sea level
- Temperature: 20-30°F cooler than valley floor
- Duration: 90 minutes including drive from Badwater
Panoramic Perspective: From Dante’s View, you see from lowest point (Badwater at -282 feet) to highest visible peaks simultaneously. This visualization of Death Valley’s topographical extremity is profoundly impactful.
Value to Reader: The temperature reduction at elevation makes this an excellent afternoon destination after morning heat exposure. The panoramic perspective completes Death Valley’s geographical understanding.
7. Explore Natural Bridge
Why It’s Essential: This natural rock archway showcases erosion patterns and geological formations in accessible form.
Details:
- Location: Along Artist’s Drive route
- Hike: 1-mile roundtrip from parking area
- Elevation gain: Minimal
- Duration: 30-45 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
Geological Formation: The Natural Bridge formed through differential erosion—softer rock eroded more quickly than harder caprock above, creating an arch. Similar formations appear throughout Death Valley but this one remains particularly accessible.
Value to Reader: Quick, rewarding hike accessible for families with children. The formation provides excellent photography opportunities and represents accessible geological education.
8. Visit Furnace Creek Historic Site
Why It’s Essential: Understanding Death Valley’s human history enriches the geological experience.
Details:
- Location: Furnace Creek area (park’s main hub)
- Facilities: Visitor center, museum, ranger station
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Cost: Included with park admission
- Educational value: High
Historical Context: Furnace Creek developed around borax mining operations. The “Twenty Mule Teams” that transported borax became iconic. Native American history predates European settlement by thousands of years.
Value to Reader: Context transforms landscape appreciation. Understanding how humans have interacted with this extreme environment adds narrative depth to your visit.
9. Drive Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Why It’s Essential: This scenic drive combines geological interest with historical significance.
Details:
- Location: Northern Death Valley
- Drive length: 5 miles, 20 minutes
- Road type: Paved
- Elevation: Approximately 1,500 feet
- Historical significance: Historic borax mining route
Route Highlights:
- Colorful canyon walls
- Historic mining equipment remains
- Interpretive signs explaining geological and historical context
- Moderate crowds compared to major attractions
Value to Reader: This represents underutilized Death Valley experience. Many visitors miss this location, creating opportunities for solitude and discovery.
10. Hike Salt Creek Trail
Why It’s Essential: This unique ecosystem supports pupfish—endangered species adapted to Death Valley’s extreme salinity.
Details:
- Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation gain: Minimal
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Best season: October-April (pupfish active in cooler months)
Ecological Significance: Death Valley pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) represent evolutionary adaptation. These fish survived in isolated salt creek through millions of years—a 1-inch fish representing extraordinary survival capability.
Value to Reader: This trail offers biological perspective contrasting with geological focus. Observing pupfish in their natural habitat creates wildlife appreciation and understanding of ecosystem adaptation.
11. Visit Mustard Canyon
Why It’s Essential: Colorful badlands display without extreme crowds.
Details:
- Location: Remote northern Death Valley
- Road access: Unpaved, high-clearance vehicles recommended
- Hiking: 3+ miles roundtrip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 120+ minutes
- Crowds: Minimal
Color Display: Similar to Artist’s Drive but more saturated and remote. Yellow, purple, red, and brown rocks create dramatic color palette.
Value to Reader: For adventurers seeking solitude and color without major crowds, Mustard Canyon offers exceptional experience. The unpaved road access keeps casual visitors away, ensuring quieter exploration.
12. Photograph Death Valley’s Geological Formations
Why It’s Essential: Death Valley represents photographer’s paradise with diverse subjects, dramatic light, and unique colors.
Details:
- Best times: Sunrise (6-8 AM), sunset (5-7 PM)
- Lighting quality: Golden hour produces optimal photography
- Equipment: DSLR, mirrorless, or quality smartphone acceptable
- Special filters: Polarizing filter enhances color saturation 30-50%
Photography Locations:
- Zabriskie Point (sunrise)
- Artist’s Palette (afternoon)
- Mesquite Flat Dunes (golden hour)
- Badwater Basin (surreal landscapes)
- Dante’s View (panoramas)
Value to Reader: Death Valley’s visual diversity offers photography education. Experimenting with composition, lighting, and perspective develops photographic skills while creating memorable images.
13. Stargazing and Astronomy Observation
Why It’s Essential: Death Valley’s minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions.
Details:
- Best time: Nighttime (particularly clear nights)
- Optimal locations: Remote areas away from Furnace Creek
- Visibility: Milky Way visible on clear nights
- Meteor showers: Visible August-December
Astronomical Features:
- Milky Way core visible overhead
- Constellation clarity exceptional
- Planetary observation opportunities (Jupiter, Saturn, Mars visibility varies seasonally)
- No telescope required (naked-eye observation exceptional)
Value to Reader: Modern life distances most people from stargazing. Death Valley’s dark sky restoration provides reconnection with night sky. This experience creates perspective shifts comparable to geological contemplation.
Family-Friendly Activities (Best for Kids)
14. Explore Junior Ranger Program
Why It’s Essential: This official NPS program transforms kids’ park experience into structured adventure.
Details:
- Age range: 4-12 years
- Cost: $3 per booklet
- Duration: Self-paced (2-4 hours typical)
- Reward: Junior Ranger badge upon completion
- Activities: Educational workbooks with scavenger hunts
Program Components:
- Landscape identification challenges
- Wildlife observation tasks
- Geological questions
- Historical research activities
- Ranger-led interpretive programs
Value to Reader: Junior Ranger program provides engagement mechanism keeping children interested and educated. The badge motivates completion and creates lasting memories of achievement.
15. Family-Friendly Picnicking
Why It’s Essential: Sharing meals in Death Valley’s unique landscape creates family bonding experiences.
Details:
- Picnic areas: Furnished at Furnace Creek, limited elsewhere
- Best time: Early morning or late afternoon (avoid midday heat)
- Facilities: Tables, shade structures, bathrooms at major sites
- Temperature consideration: Hot even in “cool” seasons
Picnic Locations:
- Furnace Creek (primary facilities)
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes area
- Near Artist’s Drive
- Dante’s View parking area
Safety Considerations:
- Bring substantial quantities of water
- Pack high-calorie foods
- Limit outdoor time during peak heat (11 AM-3 PM)
- Use shade structures when available
Value to Reader: Family meals in Death Valley create shared experiences and memories. The unique landscape transforms ordinary picnicking into adventure.
16. Short Nature Walks Accessible to All Ages
Why It’s Essential: Not all family members possess hiking capability. Accessible short walks serve varied fitness levels.
Details:
- Duration: 15-45 minutes
- Distance: 0.25-1.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Age-appropriate: 3+ years (adjusted for individual child capabilities)
Recommended Short Walks:
- Zabriskie Point viewpoint (from parking area)
- Salt Creek Trail (0.5 miles)
- Furnace Creek area exploration
- Badwater Basin salt flat edges (limited distance)
Value to Reader: Short walks ensure family inclusivity. Elderly members, young children, and those with limited mobility can participate meaningfully without extreme difficulty.
17. Wildlife Observation and Tracking
Why It’s Essential: Death Valley supports surprising wildlife diversity despite extreme conditions.
Details:
- Best viewing: Early morning or dusk
- Patience required: Observation often demands time and quietness
- Binoculars: Valuable tool for distant observation
- Field guide: Helpful for species identification
Observable Wildlife:
- Desert bighorn sheep (remote areas)
- Coyotes (primarily nocturnal)
- Ravens and other birds
- Lizards (various species)
- Insects (beetles, ants adapted to extreme conditions)
Value to Reader: Wildlife observation connects children to ecosystem concepts. Seeing animals adapted to extreme conditions provides biological education and appreciation.
18. Nighttime Adventures (Safe Family Options)
Why It’s Essential: Death Valley’s night environment offers entirely different experiences from daytime.
Details:
- Best time: Clear nights (avoid monsoon season)
- Safety: Stay on established roads/areas
- Equipment: Flashlight essential
- Temperature: Can drop 30-40°F below daytime highs
Night Activities:
- Stargazing (Milky Way observation)
- Ranger-led night programs (seasonal)
- Bioluminescent observation (rare but possible)
- Listening to night sounds (coyotes, insects)
Safety Protocol:
- Never venture into backcountry at night alone
- Tell someone your planned location and return time
- Bring multiple light sources
- Stay alert for nocturnal wildlife
Value to Reader: Night experiences provide perspective shifts. The darkness creates intimacy with landscape impossible during day. Children often find nighttime activities particularly engaging and memorable.
Evening and Nighttime Activities
19. Sunset Photography at Key Locations
Why It’s Essential: Sunset light creates photography conditions rivaling sunrise.
Details:
- Best locations: Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Dunes
- Timing: 1-2 hours before sunset
- Light quality: Golden hour produces warm colors, soft shadows
- Duration: 120-180 minutes (arriving early, staying post-sunset)
Technical Advantages:
- Shadow interplay creates three-dimensional effects
- Color saturation increases dramatically
- Lower light allows for creative aperture/shutter combinations
- Fewer crowds than sunrise hours
Value to Reader: Sunset photography provides accessible creative outlet. The changing light teaches composition and technical skills while producing beautiful images.
20. Ranger-Led Night Programs
Why It’s Essential: Professional interpretive programs enhance understanding through expert guidance.
Details:
- Schedule: Seasonal (typically October-April)
- Duration: 30-90 minutes
- Topics: Geology, astronomy, history, ecology
- Cost: Included with park admission
- Location: Furnace Creek area primarily
Program Topics Vary:
- Death Valley geology and formation
- Astronomical observation and education
- Native American history
- Desert ecology and adaptation
- Mining history and human impact
Value to Reader: Ranger expertise transforms observation into education. Professional guidance highlights details solo visitors might miss, enriching overall experience.
21. Listening to Desert Sounds and Silence
Why It’s Essential: Death Valley’s acoustic environment creates psychological impact often underestimated.
Details:
- Best time: Nighttime or very early morning
- Ideal location: Remote areas away from roads
- Duration: 30+ minutes (silence requires adjustment time)
- Experience type: Meditative/contemplative
Sounds You’ll Encounter:
- Coyote calls (haunting, distant)
- Wind through canyon formations
- Occasional vehicle sounds (fading with distance)
- Your own heartbeat (perceptible in silence)
- Insect sounds (varying by season)
Psychological Impact: The silence—true absence of human noise—creates rare modern experience. Most people live perpetually in sound. Death Valley’s quiet provides psychological reset.
Value to Reader: This free, accessible activity offers profound personal benefit. No equipment required. Simply sitting quietly in Death Valley’s night provides perspective and mental clarity.
22. Nighttime Driving and Landscape Observation
Why It’s Essential: Nighttime driving reveals Death Valley differently from daytime.
Details:
- Safety: Use low-beam headlights only
- Speed: Moderate, accounting for darkness visibility limits
- Roads: Stick to main paved roads only
- Duration: 60-120 minutes
Night Driving Experience:
- Landscape simplifies to silhouettes
- Star-filled sky dominates vision
- Temperature drops create comfort if vehicle air conditioning active
- Traffic minimal to nonexistent
- Different emotional tone compared to daytime
Safety Considerations:
- Avoid nighttime driving alone if possible
- Tell someone your route and return time
- Keep vehicle maintained and full-fueled
- Drive slowly and carefully
Value to Reader: This activity provides alternative perspective on familiar daytime locations. The nighttime landscape feels foreign, creating renewed sense of exploration and discovery.
23. Sunrise Return Visit or Extended Observation
Why It’s Essential: Returning to sunrise location after previous evening provides new insights and extended experience.
Details:
- Location: Zabriskie Point or other sunrise-favorable locations
- Timing: Arrive 45 minutes pre-sunrise
- Duration: 120+ minutes
- Benefits: Different weather conditions, new perspectives, additional photography opportunities
Extended Observation Value:
- Weather variations create different light
- Seasonal changes affect landscape appearance
- Repeated visits reveal details missed initially
- Photography improves with practice
- Personal insights deepen with each visit
Value to Reader: Extended observation and return visits create deepening relationship with landscape. Death Valley rewards repeated engagement—no visit identical to previous ones.
Planning Your Death Valley Adventure
Optimal Season Selection
October-April: Ideal for most visitors
- Comfortable daytime temperatures (65-90°F)
- Cool nighttimes perfect for sleeping
- Clear skies for photography and stargazing
- Manageable crowds without extremes
- Recommendation: October and March-April for optimal balance
May-September: Advanced visitors only
- Extreme heat (100-130°F+)
- Fewer crowds
- Professional photographers take advantage of light quality
- Higher risk for heat-related issues
- Recommendation: Only if experienced with extreme environments
Budget Considerations
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Park entrance fee | $30 per vehicle |
| America the Beautiful Annual Pass | $80 (covers all national parks) |
| Gas (120 miles driving) | $15-25 |
| Food/picnic supplies | $30-50 |
| Lodging (if needed) | $0 (camping) – $200+ (hotel) |
| Total Budget | $75-355+ |
Essential Safety Reminders
Heat Management:
- Drink water continuously (not just when thirsty)
- Avoid peak sun hours (11 AM-3 PM) for outdoor activities
- Recognize heat exhaustion symptoms early
- Take frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning
Hydration Protocol:
- 3-4 gallons water per person minimum
- Include electrolyte drinks (plain water insufficient)
- Drink before feeling thirsty (thirst indicates dehydration beginning)
Vehicle Preparation:
- Full fuel tank before entering park
- Check cooling system and air conditioning
- Carry emergency supplies
- Tell someone your itinerary
Conclusion: Death Valley Rewards Preparation and Respect
Death Valley isn’t merely a tourist destination—it’s a transformative experience requiring preparation, respect, and engagement.
The 23 activities I’ve described represent merely a fraction of possible experiences. Your Death Valley adventure will be uniquely yours, shaped by your interests, fitness level, and time availability.
Whether you’re exploring with family, pursuing photography, studying geology, or seeking solitude, Death Valley offers meaningful engagement at every level.
Start with sunrise at Zabriskie Point. Hike Golden Canyon. Contemplate your smallness at Dante’s View. Stargaze under the Milky Way. Let Death Valley transform your perspective.
Go experience it yourself.
