Top Things to do in Death Valley National Park
Top Hotels in Death Valley National Park
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Things to do in Death Valley National Park, Inyo County: The Best Geologic Formations
Death Valley offers much to do in the winter season.
Restaurants in Death Valley National Park
1. The Racetrack
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 272 reviews
Unusual desert area where rocks move from place to place, but the actual movements have never been observed by humans.
Reviewed By 711lynnw - Kellyville, United States
We rented a Jeep from Farabee’s Jeep Rentals at Furnace Creek and, armed with water, maps, and a Spot GPS tracker, we hit the road to the Racetrack Playa. We were instructed to go 15 mph on the road, but due to the washboard rough conditions, we bumped it up to 35-40 mph and the ride smoothed out. There are a few areas with blind spots along the road to the racetrack but we slowed down in plenty of time and had no issues. The road is technically two-way but it is really only wide enough for one vehicle most of the time. When meeting an oncoming vehicle, one must pull off to the side a bit to allow the other to pass. We made it to the Grandstand in about 1 hour (from the start of the Racetrack Road) and we walked around the Grandstand for a bit and took some pictures. The views are great from atop the rocks. A little further down the road is the spot where the rocks have left tracks. To see many of the rocks requires a walk of about ½ mile. We saw several rocks, some with very faint tracks and others with much better trails. The walk out to the Grandstand and the Racetrack rocks is on smooth even ground (this was in December 2018). The parking areas are small but we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot. There are no facilities at either the Grandstand or Racetrack Playa. Even as remote as this place is, there was a good amount of traffic in and out. I highly recommend renting a Jeep from Farabee’s and saving the wear and tear on your own vehicle. The Jeep took the abuse we gave it and we had no issues at all. From Furnace Creek to the Playa and back will take about 8 hours.
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. 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.
4. Eureka Dunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
These dunes, the highest in the state, are located near Death Valley.
Reviewed By OneJImHeywood - Richmond, United States
but a very tough trip and even more daunting if you want to see the back side. That will require a cross desert trek across rock strewn landscape and regular water runoff channels. You will want a rugged four wheel drive vehicle
5. The Devil's Speedway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
This rough road is one of the notable sights in the middle of the valley.
Reviewed By gkw09 - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Without a car but yours on the road, you can fly down the road at terrific pace marvelling at all of the natural beauty around you. Some amazing scenery, just unbelievable, and a cool breeze as you drive down The Devil’s Speedway makes for a brilliant experience.
6. Devil's Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 847 reviews
A seemingly infinite number of crusted salt formations jut from the "course."
Reviewed By Biff_Simp - Wilbraham, United States
A side road off the road to Badwater takes you down a bumpy dirt road to a parking lot, surrounded by craggy boulders, which are really meteorite-like sharp crystal formations of salt. Warning: do not take the road at 5mph or your suspension will have the worst of it. 25mph allows your car to ride over the bumps in a reasonably smooth pace. Once there, you can either admire from the lot or be adventurous and set out across the craggy landscape. It IS fun.
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.
