Travelers and adventurers have been drawn here since 1849, when gold-seekers nearly lost their lives seeking a shortcut to the gold fields, giving the valley its name.
When to Go to Death Valley
The weather is too hot in summer for all but the hardiest of souls, with daytime highs over 100 F and surface temperatures approaching 200 F. The best months are December through February, when days are mild.Wildflowers are most likely to be abundant in years when rainfall exceeds two inches, falling throughout the winter months. The bloom starts on the valley floor in mid-February and extends through May in higher elevations. The park website will give information on current conditions.
Annual events of note include the July Badwater to Mt. Whitney Ultramarathon, a grueling race that goes from 282 feet below sea level to 8,360 feet, taking the winner over a full day to finish. The Death Valley 49ers encampment draws many visitors the second week of November, and the park stays busy through Thanksgiving. Advance reservations are especially important at this time of year.
Death Valley Fees
Death Valley National Park is open year round, and entrance fees apply. You won't find a ranger-manned kiosk on the road, but you can pay at the visitor centers and at self-service machines located at Badwater and other popular spots. The park uses 80% of the fees it collects for improvement projects, so don't short-change them. There's an extra fee for a guided tour of Scotty's Castle.Death Valley Dining
Furnace Creek Resort offers a casual cafe, an old-fashioned steak house and the upscale restaurant at the Furnace Creek Inn. With prices at the steak house and the Inn in the same range, I recommend the Inn.Things to Do in Death Valley
What to do depends on how long you can stay.- If you've got just one day, our one-day tour covers the highlights.
- For a three-day getaway, you can take in a little more.
- If this is your second visit, there are plenty more sights.
Death Valley Tips
- It can be dry and hot here. Our desert travel kit lists some items that will keep you more comfortable.
- A small cooler filled with cold drinks will be a welcome traveling companion.
- Don't forget your camera. Binoculars are good to have, too.
- Be sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition.
- Many roadside restrooms lack running water. Bring hand sanitizer or wet wipes.
- Your cellular telephone may not work here. Don't depend on it.
- Pets must be leashed at all times and they are not allowed on any trails.
Getting to Death Valley
The park is 285 miles from Los Angeles. From San Francisco, it's 524 miles. From either city, go through Bakersfield and then east on Hwy 178 or 190.From Las Vegas, take I-15 west, Hwy 127 north to Death Valley Junction and Hwy 190 north. You can also take US 95 north to Beatty, NV and then go west on Hwy 374 over Daylight Pass.
If you're towing a trailer, you'll need to drive in through Death Valley Junction or Shoshone.
The nearest major airport is in Las Vegas, NV, about 140 miles away, but there are small airstrips near Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek Resort for private aircraft.
