Here’s a look at the top things to do in Death Valley National Park.
DANTES VIEW
One of the more popular stops in Death Valley National Park, Dante’s View is a great place to start the day. We drove straight to the top of the viewpoint (5,476 ft) for the amazing view of the valley. It was almost like an introduction to the what we would see throughout the day.
TWENTY MULE TEAM CANYON
Twenty Mule Team Canyon is a 2.8-mile one-way dirt road through a picturesque canyon. The terrain is pretty fun to drive through (especially in a convertible) and you can see the old borax mine shafts along the way.
ZABRISKIE POINT
Zabriskie Point is another popular viewpoint in the park and a perfect place to see the landscape en route to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center (where you will need to pay your park entry fee FYI).
GOLDEN CANYON TRAIL
Having sat in the car for hours, we decided that we needed to stretch our legs a bit. The Golden Canyon Trail is a very easy, 3 mile round trip that allowed us to do just that.
There are other hikes that are available in Death Valley National Park – check them out HERE. If you decide to take one of these be sure to bring lots of water. It’s hot out here.
ARTISTS DRIVE & PALETTE
As we continued onwards towards Badwater Basin, we found this scenic 9-mile drive through a funky multi colored canyon. The highlight of the drive is Artist’s Palette – where the sediment’s colors really come out. The road is paved and very easy to drive. Tip: Be sure that your car isn’t longer than 25 feet long or you wont get through.
BADWATER BASIN
These vast salt flats are a sight to see. At 282 feet below sea level, this basin is the lowest point in North America. Any bit of water that the basin receives is quickly evaporated, leaving behind mineral deposits that create formations and a snow-like effect.
MESQUITE FLAT SAND DUNES
These 100-foot high sand dunes are impressive – and if you decide to walk along their ridges keep your eyes peeled for rodents and rattlesnakes. We opted not to walk across the rippled sand dunes and simply drove by them.
There are plenty of other things to do and see within Death Valley National Park but we opted to continue westward for some grub and to head onwards to Bishop, California – our stopover before we headed to Yosemite National Park. It just means that we’ll have more to look forward to should we find ourselves in the area again.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS: USA
Flights
The USA is well-connected with numerous international and domestic airports. Use Kayak to find the best deals on flights to various destinations across the country.
Accommodation
For finding great places to stay in the USA, Hotels.com is an excellent resource. They offer a wide selection of hotels, and you can earn a free night's stay after every 10 bookings as a rewards member.
Car Hire
Exploring the USA by car is a fantastic way to see the country. Compare car rental options and find the best deals at RentalCars.com to ensure you have the perfect vehicle for your journey.
Travel Insurance
Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. (As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.)
National Park Pass
If you plan to visit multiple national parks, consider getting an America the Beautiful Pass which offers access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including all national parks, for one annual fee.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase, I will receive a small affiliate commission. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. My full site disclosure and privacy policy is here.
