The moment you step into Death Valley National Park, it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. As you peer out, towering sand dunes ripple like golden waves under a scorching sun. In the distance, jagged mountains rise and the salt flats stretch endlessly, shimmering like a mirage. This is a land of extremes—the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S.—yet within its harsh beauty lies an otherworldly charm. From the ghostly silence of Badwater Basin to the kaleidoscopic colors of Artist’s Palette, Death Valley is a place that both humbles and exhilarates in equal measure. Seeing all the highlights of Death Valley in a single day will leave your heart happy and your camera roll full.
Under 2.5 hours from Vegas, Death Valley is a doable day trip for a motivated parks enthusiast. Even better, it’s possible to experience some of the most breathtaking sights—- without the concern of venturing into the rugged backcountry. Over the course of a day, you can stand at the lowest point in North America, wander across the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, drive the scenic curves of Artist’s Drive, and witness the fiery glow of sunset at Zabriskie Point. In essence, you’ll have enough time to explore the highlights—without needing a high-clearance vehicle or hours of off-roading.
Fast Facts About Death Valley National Park
Size: 3.4 million acres
Visitors: 1,099,632 visitors annually (data from 2023)
Highest elevation: 11, 049 feet — at Telescope Peak
Lowest elevation: 282 feet below sea level — at Badwater Basin
Distance from Las Vegas Airport: 120 miles — 2 hr & 15 min drive
National Park Initiation: upgraded from national monument to national park status in 1994 by an act of Congress
Fun Fact: per the NPS, the highest recorded air temperature in the world was recorded at Furnace Creek at 134°F (57°C) Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913
Timing is Everything
While October through April are the ideal months to visit, what’s most important is knowing when not to visit—- and that’s the middle of the summer. Summer visits are not recommended due to the dangerous heat (regularly > 120°F). It becomes unsafe to spend too much time outside in an area notorious for being as dry as it is hot.
A visit in March or April means you might get to see some wildflowers in bloom. I had an open four day weekend at the end of January, so I decided to go visit! Temperatures ranged from 40s-60s, so it was warm enough to camp without issue, while also staying comfortable whilst hiking around. The quantity of fellow park visitors was minimal. Overall, January was a great month to visit!
Ridin’ Dirty
While Death Valley is home to some rugged, off-the-grid destinations that require a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle, this itinerary is accessible to anyone with a standard vehicle. Almost all the desert landscapes on the list can be reached via paved roads or well-maintained gravel routes. You’ll be able to sample Death Valley’s remote beauty without the risk of getting stuck in deep sand or rough terrain! You don’t need off-roading capabilities to have an unforgettable adventure.
It’s always a good idea to fill up on gas before you head to Death Valley, but there are gas stations in the park. No need to fret about running out of gas!
Good Eats
Even in one of the harshest landscapes on Earth, you’ll find a surprisingly large variety of dining options. As you might expect, the Furnace Creek area offers the most choices, centered around The Oasis at Death Valley. The Inn Dining Room serves upscale cuisine with desert views that are as memorable as the food is delicious. The Ranch 1849 Buffet provides an all-you-can-eat experience for those looking to refuel after a long day of exploring. Just around the corner, the Last Kind Words Saloon, with its Western atmosphere, serves hearty meals and cocktails. Even if you pack your own meals, the Coffee and Cream is the nice spot to visit for a morning caffeine or post-adventure sweet treat.
Depending on when you roll through Stovepipe Wells, you’ll find a couple options: both Toll Road Restaurant and Badwater Saloon have some solid casual lunch fare options. The general store here also has some snacks, cold drinks, and basic supplies.
Death Valley’s limited but well-placed food options ensure you won’t go hungry in the middle of this vast desert wilderness.
The Day-Trip Itinerary:
Death Valley is almost 5 hours round trip trip from Las Vegas, so you’ll certainly be motivated to spend your time economically while you’re there. The order of stops is intentional as it sequences an approximately two and a half hour drive through the park. The below itinerary includes 5-7hours worth of exploring, so this truly is a very full day.
Visitor Center at Furnace Creek
The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a perfect starting point for any Death Valley adventure. They have everything you need to get your bearings before heading out—park maps, trail updates, and a water fountain… all of these things are especially important as the weather in Death Valley grows warmer! It’s nice to have the rangers’ insight, and they can also answer any questions you might have— be sure to ask about the mysterious moving rocks at Racetrack Playa. The visitor center also features informative exhibits on Death Valley’s extreme climate, unique geology, and rich history– particularly regarding the indigenous Timbisha Shoshone culture. For any parks passporters, don’t forget to get your stamp!
Badwater Basin
At an impressive 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America—a vast, surreal expanse of hexagonal salt formations that seem to go on endlessly under the rising sun. While the view from the parking lot is rather impressive, it’s even more enchanting to take the 2-mile walk onto the salt flats. As you venture farther, the ground beneath your feet transforms into a dazzling white crust, crunching with each step.
It’s so wild to think the sandy-looking ground is actually an impressive stretch of salt… I did a quick taste test (not recommended) and can very heartily attest to the salinity. This truly is a beautiful place to start your adventuring— the expanse of salt and distant mountains make this a stark, stunning desert landscape.
Devil’s Golf Course
You won’t find a lush, manicured golf course amidst this desert expanse. The Devil’s Golf Course is a vast field of jagged, twisted salt formations so tumultuous that “only the devil could play golf here.” This peculiar landscape was formed as ancient lake beds evaporated, leaving behind a maze of salt pinnacles, sculpted by wind and time. It’s intriguing to see two salt fields that differ from one another so tremendously. Their similarity? The salt in both spots expands as it heats up in the warm sun, causing it to crackle and pop.
Artist’s Drive & Artist’s Palette
Winding through colorful hills and rugged canyons, Artist’s Drive is one of Death Valley’s most scenic roads. This 9-mile, one-way loop twists through a landscape that looks more like a painting come to life than a desert landscape. Especially at Artist’s Palette, where mineral-rich volcanic deposits have stained the hills in hues of red, yellow, green, and even purple, creating a surreal view.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
For being out in the middle of the desert, it’s amazing how many unique, memorable landscapes you’ll find. Trade the plains of salt and colored canyons, for endless sand! The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are a sea of rolling, wind-sculpted dunes— rising up to 100 feet tall. There’s a 2.3 mile trail, for a more immersive experience; however, there’s no official path, so shoe and footprints or hikers are ever-changing in the shifting sands.
Mosaic Canyon
Tucked into the hills near Stovepipe Wells, Mosaic Canyon is a hidden wonder of smooth marble-like rock and narrow passageways. A 3.5 mile out-and-back trail starts with a short scramble and leads into a twisting slot canyon, where polished walls, shaped by centuries of water erosion, gleam in the sunlight. Even if you don’t have time to do the whole hike, the first half-mile or showcases the most stunning formations— making it a worthwhile stop for adventurers of all fitness levels!
Ubehebe Crater — ** optional **
Ubehebe Crater is an enormous, gaping hole measuring 600 feet deep and half a mile across. This volcanic crater was formed by a powerful explosion when rising magma superheated groundwater, creating a violent steam eruption. The resulting dramatic, steep pit is surrounded by layers of dark volcanic rock, making it yet another unique geographical marvel in this desert park. To take it in from every angle, there’s a just-under-2-mile hike around the rim that offers panoramic views of Ubehebe as well as a peek at Little Hebe Crater nearby.
Adding ‘crater’ to the list of things you’ll see in Death Valley is undoubtably cool; however, it does come at a bit of a time cost. The time-spent-in-the-car for this round trip itinerary is about 2.5 hours. If you decide to go visit the Ubehebe Crater, you’re looking at about 4 hours of drive time. And that doesn’t include the time spent taking pictures, hiking, or reading/learning. Different enough that it’s worth mentioning, but the first thing to cut, if you’re a tight on time!
Zabriskie Point
End the day with a sunset at Zabriskie Point. As the sun sinks, the vibrant evening sun streams across the rolling badlands, casting deep shadows and highlighting the dramatic ridges and valleys below. There’s a short walk out to a viewpoint, overlooking a labyrinth of eroded rocks, with the Panamint Mountains in the distant background. It makes for an incredibly peaceful and grounding end to the day!
Death Valley National Park embodies such varieties and extremes. From salt flats to mountains to sand dunes to craters, and all the slot canyons in between, this national park is a wonderland of unique experiences in a desert landscape. We hope you have an incredible time exploring and adventuring. It’s a rather full day, but even a day trip out to Death Valley provides an awesome glimpse of this natural desert wonder! If you have a bit more time, check out our two-day itinerary for Death Valley here.
Looking to hit another California desert national park? Joshua Tree National Park is a completely different ambiance, only 4.5 hours away. If you head in the opposite direction, Zion National Park is also an easy 4.5 hours away. You never have to go toooo far to find your next adventure in this pocket of the country. Happy travels!
written by Kayla
A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!
