Visiting Death Valley National Park: Your Complete Guide

Death Valley was one of the places I was most curious about visiting when my partner and I planned a trip to Las Vegas. I knew about the heat and Badwater Basin, but I didn’t really understand the scale of the park until we were actually driving through it.

Death Valley National Park covers about 3.4 million acres and stretches roughly 140 miles from north to south. 

It’s the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level, while Telescope Peak rises to 11,049 feet.

That size is one of the most important things to understand when planning a trip here. You can’t assume two places that appear relatively close on a map will be a quick drive apart. 

Services are limited, cell reception is unreliable, and weather can change what roads or trails are accessible.

We visited in early May, and looking back, I would choose a cooler month if I was planning the same trip again. By May, the heat was already affecting when and how long we could hike.

This Death Valley National Park travel guide covers the practical information I wish I’d had before our trip, including when to visit, how to get there, where to stay, camping, food, gas, driving, safety and how many days you actually need.

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Views in Death Valley

Death Valley National Park at a Glance

• Location: Eastern California, along the Nevada border
• Size: About 3.4 million acres
• Park hours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Best months for hiking at lower elevations: Generally November through March
• Entrance fee: $30 USD per private vehicle for seven days
• Reservations required to enter: No
• Main visitor centre: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
• Cell service: Limited to nonexistent across much of the park
• Gas: Available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs
• Food: Available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs
• Public transportation: None within the park
• Closest major airport: Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas
• Best place to stay for a first visit: In my opinion, Furnace Creek

Where Is Death Valley National Park?

Death Valley National Park is primarily in eastern California, although a small part of the park extends into Nevada. It sits east of the Sierra Nevada and is about 120 miles from Las Vegas by the shortest driving route to Furnace Creek.

One thing that can be confusing when you’re planning is that there isn’t a single park entrance followed by one obvious road through the park. There are multiple ways to enter Death Valley depending on where you’re coming from.

CA-190 is the major east-west road through the park and connects many of the areas first-time visitors are likely to use, including Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells.

How Many Days Do You Need in Death Valley?

I recommend at least two full days in Death Valley for a first visit.

You could, theoretically, visit Death Valley as a day trip from Las Vegas, but I wouldn’t choose that option if you have enough time to stay overnight. 

The drive from Las Vegas to Furnace Creek is around two hours each way using the shortest route, before you account for any driving inside the park.

And there’s a lot of driving once you’re there.

Two days gives you time to explore Badwater Road, see places like Zabriskie Point and Artist’s Palette, do some hiking, and head toward Stovepipe Wells and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes without trying to squeeze everything into one long day.

If you’re planning your trip now, read my 2-day Death Valley itinerary for the route I recommend.

With three or more days, you have more flexibility to explore farther from Furnace Creek or dedicate more time to hiking. Just remember that access to more remote parts of the park can require a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Death Valley?

For most people, I recommend visiting Death Valley between November and March, particularly if you want to hike.

Winter daytime temperatures at lower elevations are generally mild, although nights can get cold. 

Average highs at Furnace Creek are about 67°F, or 19°C, in January and 73°F, or 23°C, in February. By April, the average high has climbed to around 90°F, or 32°C. In May, it reaches about 100°F, or 38°C.

I think it’s easy to look at a May trip and assume that because it isn’t technically summer yet, the heat won’t be a major issue. I’ll be honest, that’s what we had figured, but that was definitely not our experience.

We visited in early May, and we quickly learned that hiking needed to happen very early in the day. By midday, we usually went back to our hotel to swim and stay somewhere air-conditioned before heading out again later in the afternoon.

If I went back, I’d probably choose February or March, when the weather is cooler.

What Is Death Valley Like in Winter?

December through February is a good time for hiking at lower elevations. Daytime temperatures are much more manageable, but mornings and nights can be cold.

Higher elvations are significantly cooler than Furnace Creek and can receive snow. The National Park Service (NPS) notes that temperatures generally drop about 3 to 5°F for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained.

Bring layers rather than assuming “Death Valley” automatically means hot weather.

What Is Death Valley Like in Spring?

Spring is one of the park’s busiest seasons. Temperatures rise quickly as the season progresses. March has an average high around 82°F, or 27°C, at Furnace Creek. April averages around 90°F, or 32°C, and May around 100°F, or 38°C.

Spring wildflowers can appear when rainfall and other conditions line up, but a major bloom isn’t guaranteed every year. If hiking is important to you, earlier spring is a better choice than late April or May.

Should You Visit Death Valley in Summer?

Death Valley is open in summer, but this is a completely different kind of trip. Summer temperatures regularly go above 120°F, or 49°C, in the shade. Overnight temperatures can remain in the 90s°F!

NPS advises summer visitors to stay on paved roads and close to air conditioning, and to avoid hiking at low elevations when it is hot. In extreme temperatures, even a mechanical problem with your vehicle can become a serious situation.

Personally, I wouldn’t plan my first Death Valley trip for summer. So many of the things I enjoyed about the park involved getting out of the car and walking.

Why Is Death Valley So Hot?

Death Valley’s extreme heat comes from a combination of its low elevation, dry conditions and surrounding mountains.

The valley is a long, narrow basin surrounded by steep mountain ranges. Sunlight heats the desert surface, which then radiates heat back into the air. The mountains help trap and recirculate that hot air within the valley.

Those mountains also contribute to how dry Death Valley is. Moisture moving inland from the Pacific has to cross several mountain ranges. Much of it falls before reaching Death Valley, creating a pronounced rain-shadow effect.

Death Valley receives less than two inches, or about five centimetres, of rain in an average year.

Furnace Creek is also where an air temperature of 134°F, or 57°C, was recorded on July 10, 1913, recognized by NPS as the world record for the highest recorded air temperature.

Getting to Death Valley from Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the easiest places to start a Death Valley trip.

The National Park Service’s shortest published route between Las Vegas and Furnace Creek is about 120 miles and takes approximately two hours under normal conditions. The route travels through Pahrump before reaching Death Valley Junction and CA-190.

There are other routes, and your navigation app may suggest something different depending on road conditions.

We visited Death Valley as part of a Las Vegas trip and rented a car. If you don’t have your own vehicle, renting one is the most practical option because there is no public transportation within Death Valley.

I would also fill your gas tank before leaving Las Vegas or Pahrump rather than planning around the limited fuel options once you’re inside the park.

Getting to Death Valley from Los Angeles

Death Valley is roughly 275 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Drive time depends on traffic, where you’re starting in LA and current road conditions, but I would treat the drive as a travel day rather than combining it with a packed sightseeing schedule.

If you’re entering from the west, CA-190 is one of the main routes into the park. Check current NPS road conditions before leaving.

What Is the Closest Airport to Death Valley?

For most visitors flying in, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is the most practical major airport.

You may still see older Death Valley guides referring to “McCarran International Airport.” That’s the former name of Harry Reid International Airport.

There are small airports at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, but there are no scheduled commercial flights into Death Valley National Park. NPS also notes that rental vehicles and public ground transportation aren’t available from these small airports.

For most trips, flying into Las Vegas and renting a car is the easiest option.

Do You Need a Car in Death Valley?

Yes, unless you’re visiting as part of an organized tour.

There is no public transportation within Death Valley National Park, and the park is far too large to realistically explore without a vehicle.

For the main sights on my 2-day Death Valley itinerary, a standard passenger car is generally sufficient when roads are open and in good condition.

A 4WD vehicle isn’t automatically necessary for a first trip. Many popular areas are reached by paved roads, while some trailheads use maintained or relatively short unpaved roads.

Once you start planning backcountry routes, the situation changes. Death Valley has hundreds of miles of unpaved roads, and some require high-clearance 4WD vehicles and appropriate experience.

Don’t assume that renting an SUV means you’re prepared for every road in Death Valley. Check the NPS road classification and current conditions for each route you’re considering.

Check Death Valley Road Conditions Before You Drive

This deserves its own section because I think road conditions need to be part of your planning here rather than something you check once and forget about.

Death Valley has experienced major flash floods in recent years. In August 2022, flooding damaged roads throughout the park. Another major storm in August 2023 caused extensive damage and temporarily closed the entire park.

Repairs have continued for years afterward, and some roads and attractions have reopened while others remain affected.

As of August 2026, there are still road closures and damaged areas within the park.

I recommend checking the official NPS Alerts & Conditions page when you plan your trip, again shortly before leaving, and every morning while you’re there.

This is also why I wouldn’t rely entirely on an older blog post, including this one, to tell you whether a specific backcountry road is open. Conditions can change after a single storm.

Practical Things to Know Before Visiting Death Valley

There are a few practical things worth sorting out before you arrive in Death Valley. Services are limited compared with many national parks, and distances between developed areas are significant, so a bit of planning makes the trip much easier.

1. Entrance Fees and Reservations

You do not currently need a timed-entry reservation to enter Death Valley National Park. The park is open 24 hours a day throughout the year.

As of 2026, a standard entrance pass for a private vehicle costs $30 USD and is valid for seven days. A motorcycle pass costs $25, while someone entering on foot or bicycle pays $15.

Death Valley is cashless for park entrance and campground fees. You can pay by credit card, debit card or approved digital payment methods at designated locations.

If you already have a valid America the Beautiful pass that covers park admission, you can use it at Death Valley.

There also isn’t a traditional staffed entrance gate that every vehicle passes through, so don’t mistake the lack of a gate for free admission. You do still need a valid park pass.

Accommodation and campground bookings are separate. Furnace Creek Campground accepts reservations during its reservation season, so if you plan to camp there, book that independently.

2. Gas in Death Valley

There are three places to buy fuel within Death Valley National Park:

• Furnace Creek
• Stovepipe Wells
• Panamint Springs

Furnace Creek and Panamint Springs sell gasoline and diesel. Stovepipe Wells currently sells 87-octane gasoline but not diesel.

We filled up whenever we came across a gas station, even if we weren’t close to empty. I would do the same again. Distances within Death Valley are long, and a road closure or change of plans can add more driving than you expected.

If you’re entering from Las Vegas, I would also start with a full tank rather than relying on the stations inside the park.

3. Cell Service and Wi-Fi

Cell service is very limited throughout Death Valley National Park, and there’s very little Wi-Fi available.

Wi-Fi is typically available at Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, but even those connections can be unreliable.

We downloaded our maps before driving into the park, and I recommend doing the same. Save your route, screenshot anything you might need later, and download Death Valley for offline use in the National Park Service app.

Don’t assume you’ll be able to look up restaurant hours, trail information or directions once you’re out exploring. Limited cell service is also a safety consideration because you may not be able to call for help immediately in an emergency.

4. EV Charging in Death Valley

You can visit Death Valley with an electric vehicle, but charging requires more planning.

There are no rapid chargers inside Death Valley National Park. NPS currently lists the closest rapid chargers in Beatty, about 43 miles from Furnace Creek.

Slower EV chargers are available at The Oasis at Death Valley in Furnace Creek and are intended mainly for overnight charging. NPS currently lists four chargers at The Inn and four at The Ranch, although availability and functionality can change.

I would verify the current charger status shortly before your trip and build plenty of extra range into your plans.

5. Furnace Creek Visitor Center

I recommend stopping at Furnace Creek Visitor Center near the beginning of your trip.

It’s open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is a useful place to talk to a ranger about current road and trail conditions. There’s also a park film, museum exhibits, maps and a bookstore.

Given how quickly conditions can change in Death Valley, I think speaking to a ranger is particularly useful if you’re planning to hike or drive on any unpaved roads.

It’s also a good place to spend some time indoors if you’re visiting during hotter weather.

6. Accessibility in Death Valley National Park

A lot of Death Valley is experienced by car, which can make parts of the park accessible to visitors who aren’t planning to hike.

But, accessibility conditions vary significantly between sites.

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center has accessible facilities, and NPS publishes specific accessibility information for lodging, viewpoints and visitor facilities. 

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail also has a boardwalk, and several major viewpoints have paved access or accessible parking.

Because heat can introduce additional accessibility considerations, I recommend checking NPS’s current accessibility information for the specific places you want to visit.

Where to Stay in Death Valley National Park

If this is your first visit and you’re planning to spend most of your time around Badwater Road, Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, I recommend staying inside Death Valley National Park if your budget allows.

We stayed in Furnace Creek, and I’m glad we did.

The park is so large that staying outside it can add substantial driving to every day. Beatty, for example, is approximately 45 minutes from Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Pahrump is around 1.5 hours away.

The Ranch at Death Valley

We stayed at The Ranch at Death Valley in Furnace Creek.

I’ll be straightforward about it: our room felt a little dated for the price. But it was comfortable, and I would stay there again because the location was so useful.

The Ranch is open year-round and has restaurants, shopping, fuel and access to a pool.

The pool was a much bigger benefit than I anticipated. Because we visited in May, we often explored early in the morning, came back to the hotel during the hottest hours, and went out again later.

If you’re following my two-day itinerary, Furnace Creek also works particularly well geographically.

The Inn at Death Valley

The Inn at Death Valley is also in Furnace Creek and is the more upscale option at The Ranch at Death Valley.

It has lodging and dining and is open year-round.

If you’re looking for something more comfortable and your budget is higher, I’d compare prices between the Inn and the Ranch.

Stovepipe Wells Village

Stovepipe Wells Village is another useful option, particularly if you’re planning to spend more time around Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Mosaic Canyon.

This quaint motel has a pool, a restaurant, saloon, general store and fuel. It’s open year-round.

Where to Stay Outside Death Valley

If accommodation inside the park is sold out or outside your budget, there are several communities where you can stay.

• Beatty, Nevada is one of the closest options at approximately 45 minutes from Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
• Pahrump, Nevada is around 1.5 hours from Furnace Creek.
• Shoshone, California is roughly one hour away, while Lone Pine, California is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Furnace Creek.

When comparing hotel prices, factor in the extra driving and gas. A cheaper hotel can become less appealing when you’re adding two or three hours of driving to each day. 

Personally, I would recommend staying in the actual park, it’s much more convenient.

Camping in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley has both developed and basic camping options, but availability changes seasonally.

Furnace Creek Campground is the main NPS campground where reservations are available. Reservations can be made for stays between October 15 and April 15, up to six months in advance. 

NPS says Furnace Creek has regularly booked to capacity during its reservation season in recent years.

Other NPS campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis when open.

Lower-elevation campgrounds such as Sunset, Texas Springs and Stovepipe Wells typically close as temperatures rise in spring. Only a limited number of campgrounds remain available during summer because nighttime temperatures can still be extremely hot.

There are also privately operated camping options at Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs.

If you’re camping, check the individual campground status immediately before your trip rather than relying on a general list of Death Valley campgrounds.

Can You Camp for Free in Death Valley?

Backcountry camping is permitted in some areas, but there are important restrictions.

Generally, dispersed camping must be more than one mile from developed areas, paved roads and dirt roads designated as day-use only. Large portions of the main valley floor are closed to dispersed camping, as are several popular roads and areas.

Backcountry camping in Death Valley requires much more preparation than staying at a developed campground. Water sources are unreliable, cell service is limited and road conditions can require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles.

I wouldn’t treat it as an easy way to save money on accommodation unless you’re already comfortable with remote desert camping.

Where to Eat in Death Valley

Food options inside Death Valley are limited, so I recommend planning meals before you arrive. There are restaurants and stores in the three main developed areas: Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs.

At Furnace Creek, current options include restaurants at The Ranch and Inn, along with a general store and grab-and-go food at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center bookstore. 

Stovepipe Wells has the Toll Road Restaurant, Badwater Saloon and a general store. Panamint Springs Resort serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

During our trip, we packed a cooler with food and drinks before leaving Las Vegas. I’m glad we did.

We ate some meals at the resort, but having our own food meant we weren’t planning our days around restaurant hours. We also picked up food from the general store when we needed something quick.

If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, I would bring enough food to cover more of your meals. NPS specifically encourages visitors to bring food and use picnic areas because choices within the park are limited.

What Should You Pack for Death Valley?

What you bring will depend on the season, but there’s a few things we brought that made our trip much easier.

I would bring:

• More water than you expect to need
• Electrolytes and salty snacks
• Sun protection, including a hat and sunscreen
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Layers if you’re visiting during winter
• A cooler for food and drinks
• Offline maps
• A flashlight or headlamp
• A basic first-aid kit
• An emergency supply of food and water in your car

If you’re going into the backcountry, your preparation needs to go well beyond this list.

Death Valley Safety Tips

The heat in Death Valley gets most of the attention (for good reason!), but it isn’t the only thing you need to plan around to stay safe in the park.

1. Take the Heat Seriously

If you feel dizzy, nauseous, unusually fatigued or develop a headache while hiking, stop what you’re doing and get out of the heat. NPS advises against hiking at low elevations when conditions are hot. During summer, stay close to air conditioning and avoid long walks away from your vehicle.

2. Watch for Flash Floods

Rain falling kilometres away can send water through a canyon or wash. Because of this, you should never enter a canyon when rain is forecast in the surrounding area. Flash floods have caused extensive damage throughout Death Valley in recent years. Be sure to check the weather forecast before starting your day, every day.

3. Stay With Your Vehicle if You Break Down

Because of the distances involved and limited cell service, getting help can take time. During hot weather, NPS recommends staying with your vehicle if it breaks down. A vehicle is easier for rescuers to locate and it also provides shelter.

4. Don’t Trust GPS Without Checking the Route

This is worth repeating! NPS specifically warns that navigation systems have directed visitors onto incorrect, closed and dead-end roads. Always be sure to use an official park map to confirm your route.

Can You Bring a Dog to Death Valley?

You can bring a pet into Death Valley, but there are restrictions you should know.

Pets are not allowed on hiking trails or in designated wilderness. That includes popular places such as the Badwater Basin boardwalk and trail, Zabriskie Point paved trail, Harmony Borax Works loop and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes beyond the parking lot.

Leashed pets are permitted in developed areas and along roads.

All this said, I wouldn’t recommend bringing pets to Death Valley from late spring through early fall because of the heat, and pets should never be left in a hot vehicle.

Given these restrictions and risks, I personally wouldn’t bring a pet if hiking is a major part of your trip.

Death Valley Is Timbisha Shoshone Homeland

Before visiting, I think it’s important to understand that Death Valley isn’t simply a landscape with mining and national park history.

This land is the homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone, who have lived in and around the area for thousands of years and continue to live in Death Valley today.

The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe was federally recognized in 1983. After a long effort to regain a recognized land base within their ancestral homeland, the Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act was enacted in 2000. 

The legislation transferred lands to the Tribe and established a framework for co-management of areas within the park. In January 2026, the Tribe and National Park Service marked the 25th anniversary of the Act.

There is Timbisha Shoshone trust land at Furnace Creek, where the tribal village is located.

I think this context matters because it’s very easy to learn about Death Valley primarily through stories about prospectors, borax mining and the people who crossed the valley during westward expansion. Those stories are part of its history, but they start much later.

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center includes information and exhibits about Timbisha Shoshone history and culture, and I recommend making time for them during your visit.

How to Visit Death Valley Responsibly

Desert landscapes can look incredibly durable. In reality, some of the plants, soils and habitats here are easily damaged. Being a responsible tourist in Death Valley means understanding how your choices can affect this environment.

In early 2026, illegal off-road driving at Eureka Dunes damaged or destroyed dozens of plants, including rare species found only in Death Valley’s dune ecosystems. Please don’t do this!

Keep your vehicle on established roads. Respect the rule that driving off-road is prohibited, including in 4WD vehicles. 

When hiking cross-country in areas where it’s permitted, avoid stepping on vegetation, fragile soil crusts, aquatic habitats and animal burrows.

Don’t collect rocks, plants, artifacts or anything else you find. Cultural objects can be particularly important to understanding the long human history of this area.

I also think responsible travel here means being realistic about your abilities and preparation. Rescue resources are limited, temperatures can be dangerous, and going onto a closed road or starting a hike in unsafe heat doesn’t only put you at risk.

What Is There to Do in Death Valley?

There’s enough to do that I recommend planning around geography rather than making a giant checklist.

Some of the places I think are most worthwhile for a first trip include:

• Badwater Basin
• Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette
• Devil’s Golf Course
• Zabriskie Point
• Golden Canyon
• Harmony Borax Works
• Salt Creek
• Mosaic Canyon
• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

There are many other places farther from Furnace Creek, including Dante’s View, Ubehebe Crater and remote backcountry areas.

Rather than trying to cover all of them here, I’ve mapped out exactly how I’d organize a first visit in my 2-day Death Valley itinerary.

Can You Visit Death Valley as a Day Trip From Las Vegas?

Yes, and plenty of people do. But you should know that the shortest NPS route from Las Vegas to Furnace Creek is around two hours each way, which is a pretty significant drive time.

If a day is genuinely all you have, I would focus on the Furnace Creek and Badwater Road area rather than attempting to cover the entire park. 

You can use Badwater Road as the main route for a short visit, with Devil’s Golf Course, Badwater Basin and Artist’s Drive fitting into roughly 1.5 hours of driving and stops from Furnace Creek, depending on conditions.

But personally, I would stay overnight. Four hours of driving between Las Vegas and Furnace Creek, plus the driving you’ll do inside Death Valley, makes for a long day. 

Staying in the park also gives you a chance to be out around sunrise or sunset without having to immediately drive two hours back to Las Vegas.

Is Death Valley Worth Visiting?

I think so, and I will go back for a second visit! Before our trip, I mostly associated Death Valley with extreme heat and Badwater Basin. Spending a couple of days there gave me a much better sense of how varied the park actually is.

What I would do differently is when I visited. Early May was already hot enough that we had to plan around the temperature every day. If hiking is one of the reasons you want to go, I’d aim for November through March and give yourself at least two full days.

I’d also stay inside the park again. Being based in Furnace Creek meant we could take breaks when we needed them instead of treating every outing like a full-day commitment.

Most importantly, don’t plan Death Valley as if it’s a normal road trip where you can figure things out as you go. Download your maps, carry extra water, fill your gas tank and check current road conditions before setting out.

With those things sorted, you’ll have much more flexibility once you’re actually there.

Ready to plan your Death Valley itinerary? Read my 2-Day Death Valley Itinerary for the route I recommend, including hikes, scenic drives, viewpoints, and practical tips for your visit.

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