Top Things to do in Death Valley National Park
Top Hotels in Death Valley National Park
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do in Death Valley National Park, Inyo County
Death Valley offers much to do in the winter season.
Restaurants in Death Valley National Park
1. Dante's View
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,237 reviews
Reviewed By lkbashor - Carson City, United States
High atop Dante's View above Death Valley you will see what I can only describe as breathtaking, spectacular views. This is a MUST drive that is about located above Badwater Basin, looking out over all of Death Valley, into Panamint Valley and on the clearest of days you will see Mount Whitney - WOW just WOW beautiful! Making the drive 16 miles south of Furnace Creek was well worth it, with even getting a reprieve in temperature from the valley floor in Death Valley, seeing a significant drop of 10 to 20 degrees. On the particular day we went we even had wind gusts of upwards of 40 mph that had us cautious of getting close to the edge. Grab your binoculars to spot out different places at 5575 feet above it all - you will want to photograph your smiling faces with the colors of the desert landscape below and the panaromic views all around. Well worth IT!!
2. Zabriskie Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,799 reviews
A dramatic look-out point in Death Valley.
Reviewed By cranemantim - Pahrump, United States
Beautiful overlook, especially after it has rained like this morning for amazing sunsets, it's an easy hike up small hill from parking lot.
3. Badwater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,980 reviews
Located in Death Valley, this small salt pond is more than 280 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America.
Reviewed By Baywalk827 - Hayward, United States
It is totally cool to be 282 feet below sea level surrounded by salt that looks like snow! Enjoy a hike out and marvel at the earth's processes and vastness of the valley. Visiting during cooler season recommended.
4. Ubehebe Crater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 571 reviews
Ubehebe and its little brother (a smaller crater) winningly tempt hikers down their steep and colorful slopes.
Reviewed By 58mads
I've never seen a crater before, and this one is easily accessible. You can see it from the parking lot. You can also walk down into it, but the uphill climb back up, I understand, is a little steep. I didn't go down. From Stovepipe Wells, where we stayed, it's an easy 30 mile drive on paved road. Well worth the trip.
5. Titus Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 455 reviews
Perhaps the most memorable thing about this Death Valley canyon is the trip you'll take to it.
Reviewed By V6350LQrichardl - Cook, United States
Was one of, if not the best, dual-sport / adventure motorcycle rides I have ever done. Simply spectacular. Perfect for moderately skilled adventure motorcyclists, though may be a bit too much for a novice on a heavy bike. Would probably be fine for a novice on a light enduro, though note National Park rules restrict motorcycles to street legal bikes I think, which is good because it limits traffic. Would be no problem in any stock high clearance 4X4, though longbed pickups may not be able to get around some of the tight turns. On a Sunday at noon, I rode the whole trail and saw only one other party, a couple in a jeep, all of which contributed awesomely to the sense of isolation and wonder. The ascent from the east is unremarkable, and one may think, "What's the big deal?", but then you crest a couple passes and you are blessed with amazing views down into the narrow valley falls that away from you. Descending into it on narrow steep switchbacks through incredible, steep rock formations was so fun and visually stimulating. Every 30 seconds, you are saying, "Holy S***!" Ghost Town! Petroglyphs! After a couple miles of steep descent, one has the sense that you are about to emerge out of the valley, but you would be wrong! The valley floor, essentially a large dry riverbed extends another several miles, narrowing dramatically. Each new turn provides another seemingly even better view than the one just before. Finally, you get dumped out at the end of the canyon. I want to do it again!
6. Artist's Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,751 reviews
Reviewed By WorldExplorer50 - Irvine, United States
Good thing this is a one-way drive to contain rogue tourists ... beautiful colors, suprisingly long drive (nearly 10 miles) through gorgeous mineral hills of varying colors. Sundown is wonderful as the sun hits the hills.
7. Artists Palette
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,012 reviews
Reviewed By Escapethecold44 - Denver, United States
The drive up to Artists Palette was one of my favorites at Death Valley (loved that it was 1 way, the dips in the road are fun, and the scenery was stunning!). When you get to Artist Point, I recommend walking to the right on the near side of dry creek bed for good pictures and to see where the Sand Crawler was parked in the first Star Wars movie. We also walked down into the river bed below Artists Palette (this is where R2D2 gets attached). The green rocks were my favorite.
8. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,198 reviews
Reviewed By lkbashor - Carson City, United States
The Mesquite Flats Dunes includes three types of dunes: crescent, linear, and star shaped with the highest dune rising only about 100 feet (about 1mile out from parking lot) whether you drive by as you are headed to Stovepipe Wells via Hwy 190 or turn in to take in the stunning views of Death Valley. Once you kick of your shoes to put your toes in THE finest sand for a trek out across to take in the views, sand board or see if you can find animal tracks, you will NOT be disappointed. The parking lot is right of HWY 190 paved with pull-through spaces for buses and large RVs added bonus of restrooms too. Check out the signage that has additional information plus if you have an opportunity to come out during sunrise or sunset they say the colors and contrast of the shadows are ahhhmazing here.
9. Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 936 reviews
Reviewed By siouxsy - Tustin, United States
Good visitor center. There is a nice little museum attached to it with some great information about the park. There’s also some picnic tables next to it. Bathroom facility was nice.
10. Father Crowley Vista Point
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By MaryG418 - Scottsdale, United States
This is a highway lookout that is well worth the stop. Beautiful, expansive vistas. You may see vehicles on a diet road farther out toward the point, but the road is too rough for standard passenger vehicles. Skip it unless you have very high clearance and a spare tire in good condition.
