This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n You\u2019ve probably already heard of Death Valley and it\u2019s extreme accolades \u2013 the lowest, hottest, and driest place in North America, the largest national park in the United States, and the film set for Star Wars.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unsurprising that it was used as a backdrop for sci-fi movies, it\u2019s probably the only place on Earth that looks far from Earth-like. It boldly expresses itself in extreme landscapes: scorching salt flats, shifting sand dunes, colorful Badlands and wind-sculpted curves. <\/p>\n At first glance, Death Valley may seem stark, unforgiving, and a vast expanse of wasteland, but linger a little longer and you\u2019ll discover there are plenty of things to do in Death Valley National Park other than reenacting Return of the Jedi<\/em>. Behind the impressive geological formations, wildflowers burst into color, bighorn sheep scale rugged canyons, and the night skies remind you how small we are in the great expanse of the universe.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re looking for a hiking trail to scale, or want to experience the quiet and desolate Badwater Basin, Death Valley is a place that welcomes the curious, adventurous, and lover of all things extreme. <\/p>\n Death Valley National Park<\/a> is the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park in the USA. Standing on the cliff face (282 ft. high) overlooking Badwater Basin is a white plaque with huge capitals denoting SEA LEVEL. <\/p>\n Below that point is the Badwater Basin, the lowest part of North America. The elevation at Badwater Basin is 282 feet below<\/em> sea level. Death Valley also has the highest temperature ever recorded 134 degree Fahrenheit <\/strong>(57 degree Celsius) on July 10, 1913.<\/p>\n I\u2019m surprised we haven\u2019t seen higher recorded since then, but, 2016 and 2017 have claimed the hottest average temperatures in Death Valley Park history. In July of 2021, the highest recorded temperature was 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4\u00b0C).<\/p>\n Death Valley is sandwiched by two mountain ranges \u2013 and you are heading deep into a bowl here. Any upcoming earthquake has the potential to make this valley a little lower and a little hotter.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know why we think nature has finished her creation. It\u2019s always moving and changing, so subtly as it has for millions of years. We barely notice the progress to more exquisite beauty but it\u2019s there.<\/p>\n It was not that hot when we visited, but possibly the windiest. It did a good job of nearly knocking us off our feet, but at least it cooled things down a little. The hottest, driest, and lowest part of the continent didn\u2019t stop wowing and surprising us for the remainder of our stay.<\/p>\n It was definitely the perfect way to finish five months in the desert and transition into the green forest world of Northern California <\/a>and the Pacific Northwest.<\/a><\/p>\n Death Valley is an easy national park to explore. Despite being so famous, it doesn\u2019t have hordes of people, and doesn\u2019t require much other than a few footsteps from your car to the viewpoint. Really all that is required of you is to open your eyes and admire the views. Its beauty is startling.<\/p>\n If you want to do some hiking, there are some trails in Death Valley, but you want to be extra cautious if you are visiting in the hot summer months. It is not wise to hike after 10am and to only hike during cooler temperatures \u2013 many signs around the park will remind you of this.<\/p>\n Here are some of the things we enjoyed doing:<\/p>\n If you only have time to make one stop on your visit to Death Valley, then make it to Zabriskie Point. It is one of the most surreal landscapes I have ever seen.<\/p>\n Ripples of white, yellow, mauve, pink, and chocolate sand dunes frozen in time stretch out in front of you with a purple sandy river running through it and the snow-capped Panamint Mountains range in the background. You can even see the salt flats down in the valley below.<\/p>\n The colors, shapes, and textures are simply breathtaking and mind-blowing. Perhaps we\u2019ll invent a new word to express that. Let\u2019s call it The Zabriskie.<\/p>\n The ranger told us it was best at sunrise. Lonely Planet had a photo that showed a Death Valley sunset from here so we followed the travel bible \u2013 it was extraordinary at sunset.<\/p>\n I do think sunrise at Zabriskie Point would be worth doing as well. We visited about two hours after sunrise the next day and it gave us another beautiful perspective. This time we could see the mountains and salt flats as the sun was shining on them.<\/p>\n Sunrise was just a little too early for us to get there with the kids (5:30am). Either way, put this on your itinerary.<\/p>\n As mentioned, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America, and is must-do on your first visit! This is where you can walk out on the salt flats and see the hexagonal honeycomb shapes.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think we visited at the right time, or walked out far enough to see those, but it was still an incredible place to explore and walk bare feet on \u2013 although by far the windiest place we visited in Death Valley! But we did witness devils golf course \u2013 an immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires!<\/p>\n Badwater Death Valley consists of a small natural pool of undrinkable water next to the gravel road in a sink, and the accumulated salt crystals of the surrounding basin make it undrinkable, thus giving it the name.<\/p>\n Adjacent to the pool, where water is not always present at the surface, repeated freeze\u2013thaw and evaporation cycles gradually push the thin salt crust into hexagonal honeycomb shapes.<\/p>\n As this area gets less than two inches of rain annually and no water can flow out of the basin, the water evaporates leaving behind mineral deposits that cover the basin like a salty dusting of snow.<\/p>\n Badwater Basin is centrally located in the National Park and very popular, and the parking lot fills quickly. Be sure to follow the warnings about hiking during the extreme temperatures of summer, so go early morning and bring lots of water!<\/p>\n Dante\u2019s View is a little off the beaten path, but totally worth it. It\u2019s a paved road the entire way although the last section contains steep switchbacks and is not fit for long RVs. There are parking bays to unhook and leave your trailers if needed. As the road climbed the mountain, the stark desert landscape turned a little lush.<\/p>\n Dante\u2019s View will give you the BEST bird\u2019s eye view of Death Valley. You really don\u2019t want to miss it. You\u2019ll get the swirling whites and muted browns of the salt basin deep in the valley that stretches for miles. It\u2019s like nothing you\u2019ve ever seen before, and is a Death Valley must-see!<\/p>\n It is way cooler up at Dante\u2019s View too \u2013 we had to burst out the jacket from under the car seat. It was a welcome relief from the desert heat. If you visit Death Valley National Park in the winter, be sure to pack your scarves and beanies.<\/p>\n Artists Drive Death Valley is one of the most unique scenic drives <\/a>I\u2019ve ever experienced. I felt like it\u2019s where they got the inspiration for the Cars Ride at Disneyland. At one point we were on a narrow section of the Death Valley dirt road driving around the foothills of the mountains. The mountains rose steeply up on another side of us, dwarfing even our F250.<\/p>\n This one-way paved road is called the Artist Drive for a reason, the mountain faces look like someone had thrown splashes of paint all over them, prompting the naming of one section to be the artist\u2019s palette.<\/p>\n Now we\u2019d seen enough color in Southern Utah to question the validity of the name of this drive before we went on it, but we can definitely verify that it has earned that title. We saw most colors in Utah<\/a>, but rarely so many shades of blue on the rocks.<\/p>\n There are two sections on this 9-mile Death Valley National Park scenic drive you can jump out at to look more closely at the palettes of color.<\/p>\n We were SO lucky to have arrived the day after they opened this drive. Apparently, it had been closed for years!! As it was all new, the road was pristine dark black which just made the landscape pop even more.<\/p>\n I was so grateful that our trip to Death Valley had been delayed for a couple of months, otherwise, we would have missed this. What is the saying, God\u2019s delays are not God\u2019s denials? Trust in what the delays will bring you.<\/p>\n We had a stuff up when it came to hiking the Golden Canyon trail. We\u2019ve been great at training the girls since they were born to be responsible travelers \u2013 that is pack their own bags, dress, pack snacks, etc. If they forget then they manage boredom or hunger and won\u2019t forget the next time.<\/p>\n Usually, we\u2019re good at checking them though. We didn\u2019t when we jumped in the car for our afternoon of exploring Death Valley NP. Savannah somehow thought it was good to explore the hottest place in the world with no shoes!!! It worked fine at the salt flats \u2013 even better to walk barefoot \u2013 and we weren\u2019t expecting to hike anywhere.<\/p>\n Then we stumbled upon Golden Canyon, and with time on our side decided to check it out. A 3-mile return rocky path was no match for bare feet.<\/p>\n We found a pair of Kalyra\u2019s muddy boots in the car and put them on her feet. They kept falling off until we thought of rolling down the tops of the boots. It helped them stay on her feet but it wasn\u2019t so comfortable for her. We plowed through the walk, but only a short way in before turning around and ending her torture.<\/p>\n The Golden Canyon is BEAUTIFUL and one of the best hikes in Death Valley! You can also combine it with the Gower Gulch and\u00a0Badlands Loop.<\/p>\n I loved the silence and stillness here and the changing colors and shapes of the rock. It was so quiet you could hear the swooshing of the raven\u2019s wings as it flew down the canyon quite high above our heads. The 1.5 miles in leads to the red cathedral, which is where we were hoping to go.<\/p>\n You can go further and hike 2.5 miles all the way to Zabriskie\u2019s Point<\/strong>, which is on my bucket list for when we come back! I couldn\u2019t imagine how beautiful that walk would be and if you could time it at sunset it would be incredible.<\/p>\n You\u2019d need someone to meet you there or be willing to hike it back. But definitely put this on your Death Valley National Park hiking list!<\/p>\n I read that the Salt Creek Trail is one of the best trails for families, so decided to check it out, but wasn\u2019t expecting too much. We are quite adventurous and go on many challenging hikes, boardwalks usually feel quite sedate to me, but once again Death Valley wowed me.<\/p>\n The Salt Creek Trailhead is only a mile off the main road and offers proof that the desert is full of life. A creek runs through this valley and either side of it is filled with a green brush. In the background are white and pastel yellow cliffs making it so striking. As far as Death Valley National Park hikes go, the boardwalk is only 1\/2 mile in total<\/strong> and is flat and wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n The kids will love looking at the rare pupfish darting around in the water. They look like tadpoles. Their frenetic rush is their need to feed and breed before their one-year lifespan is up.<\/p>\n We arrived at the wrong time to experience the Mesquite Flat Sand dunes \u2013 we couldn\u2019t time everything perfectly. We visited on the way out of the western entrance to the national park and arrived at the same time as hundreds of French tourists on buses.<\/p>\n No offence to them, as we\u2019re tourists as well wanting the same things they are, but it did mean a lot of people making tracks in the sand. At least you had a nice language to listen to in the background!<\/p>\n It was also the middle of the day so pretty hot and sunlight was harsh for photos and the dunes were well trampled.<\/p>\n You can walk out to the highest sand dune which is a mile away in the distance. A mile is an easy walk on the flat but up and over sand dunes makes it a different kind of trail, especially in the HEAT.<\/p>\n Considering the Death Valley National Park sand dunes were the very last thing we were going to do after 5 months in the desert, we were happy to just stand and watch.<\/p>\n Your kids will love playing in the sand dunes here. The girls were, even more, desert tired than me and were in no mood for sand dune play.<\/p>\n Come early in the morning or evening. Sunset is meant to be wonderful here. I\u2019d time it for then if you can. It\u2019s a fair way from the other Death Valley attractions near the Furnace Creek area so that may impact your timing.<\/p>\n Just because the word DEATH is in the title, doesn\u2019t mean there ain\u2019t no life in this valley. Look closely and you\u2019ll find plenty of animals.<\/p>\n We had a coyote running across the main road (and causing a few traffic delays) just outside our campsite in Furnace Creek. And we also saw a cute and unique chuckwalla lizard at Mesquite sand dunes.<\/p>\n We especially loved seeing this one after learning about it from the ranger when the girls did their Junior Ranger pledge. It gets in between two rocks and puffs up so its predators can\u2019t snatch it away. I LOVE nature! We loved watching it do little push-ups.<\/p>\n One of my favorite things we saw in Death Valley National Park\u00a0was when a raven came flying above us down the canyon. You will see and hear a lot of ravens swooshing their wings. That is a silence to appreciate.<\/p>\n We also enjoyed seeing the pupfish in Salt Creek. You have to admire something that can survive in all that salty water. Enjoy these little reminders that the desert \u2013 even the hottest ones in the world \u2013 hold life.<\/p>\n In addition to those desert animals we saw, Death Valley NP also has scorpions, road runners, kit foxes, rattlesnakes, kangaroo rats, and bats.<\/p>\n You probably already know that we love the Junior Ranger program created by the National Park service. It does make a difference to your child\u2019s appreciation of the environment they are interacting in. Not to mention how much they\u2019ll learn.<\/p>\n Head to the Death Valley National Park Visitor Center at Furnace Creek to pick up your booklets and return when finished to say your pledge and get your badges.<\/p>\n As my girls learned more about the desert with the ranger and said their pledge, I felt so grateful a program like this exists to teach our kids to protect Mother Nature.<\/p>\n I have hope for the generation we are raising. They are privy to so much more information, experiences, and people working hard to make changes happen. They grow up knowing that taking care of the planet is just something we do.<\/p>\n Ubehebe Crater is an incredible sight to see in Death Valley National Park. The crater is over 700 feet deep and almost 0.5 miles in diameter, making it one of the largest in the world. It\u2019s also one of the youngest craters, as it\u2019s estimated to only be 2,100 years old. Though it\u2019s technically an active volcano, the risk of it erupting is very low.<\/p>\n The hike around the crater is fairly easy, making it accessible for most hikers. You can view the crater from the parking lot, but you can walk around the entire rim of the crater, where you\u2019ll find some great spots for photos.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for an amazing day trip in Death Valley National Park, be sure to visit Ubehebe Crater. The sights are incredible, and it\u2019s a great way to explore one of the most stunning areas in the country.<\/p>\n Racetrack Playa is a dry lake bed that is flat and featureless, making it perfect for testing the theory that stones can move across the surface on their own. <\/p>\n The rocks have been observed moving for years, but no one knows how they do it. Some people believe that the wind is responsible, while others think that the rocks are moved by ice particles or water. No one has been able to provide a definitive answer, but it\u2019s still an interesting place to visit.<\/p>\n Though it\u2019s named a racetrack, driving off-road is strictly prohibited. We also don\u2019t recommend driving along here if you have a\u00a0high clearance vehicle\u00a0as the road is a bit challenging to drive on.<\/p>\n Mosaic Canyon<\/a> is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Death Valley National Park. The canyon is lined with colorful, vitreous rocks that have been eroded by wind and water over time, creating a spectacular mosaic-like effect. <\/p>\n It\u2019s a great place to explore on foot, as there is a 4 mi (6.4km) out-and-back hiking trail that runs through the middle of the canyon. There are plenty of informative signs along the way to help you learn about the canyon\u2019s history and geology.<\/p>\n The hike is labeled moderate to difficult because after about 2km a big boulder disrupts the path, and only adventurous hikers squeeze between the gaps to get around it.<\/p>\n Twenty Mule Team Canyon is a beautiful and serene place, named for the twenty mule teams that used to transport borax out of the area. The canyon is a great place to drive through on your way to Zabriskie Point.<\/p>\n The canyon, also referred to as the badlands, is known for its colorful and unique rock formations. They have been the setting for many blockbuster movies such as Star Wars Episode VI. If you\u2019re a fan of Star Wars movies, this is a great place to drive through and stop to take photos of you pretending to be a Jedi!<\/p>\n Scotty\u2019s Castle is a Spanish colonial villa was named after gold prospector\u00a0Walter E. Scott, though he never lived there. Nor is the building actually a castle, more of a mansion with some castle-like features.<\/p>\n It was built in the 1920s by Chicago\u00a0millionaire\u00a0Albert Mussey Johnson who was conned into investing in Scott\u2019s gold mine in the Death Valley area. Though the mine turned out to be fraudulent, Johnson and Scott became good friends and so the building was named after him.<\/p>\n The building was built as the vacation home for Johnson and his wife, and they visited several times. But sadly they died without heirs, so the villa was taken over by the National Park Service in 1970.<\/p>\n The castle is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture and is full of intricate details. The grounds are also worth exploring, with gardens, and ponds.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re visiting Death Valley National Park and interested in architecture, it might be interesting to you. It\u2019s amazing to see how someone would want to build such a lavish mansion in this arid landscape.<\/p>\n The Darwin Falls hike is a great hike for hikers of all levels. The hike is around 2 miles round trip and is relatively easy, making it a perfect hike for families or beginner hikers.<\/p>\n The trail follows a beautiful stream and shrubbery that leads to the spectacular Darwin Falls. As you hike, you have to cross many streams (yes, that\u2019s right, in the desert there are streams) and pass through plenty of shade. In the Spring, you\u2019ll see wildflowers bloom along the trail, which is certainly the best time to visit.<\/p>\n The waterfall is a great place to take a break and enjoy the beauty of nature. You cannot swim in the falls as they are a source of drinking water in the area. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no services along the way.<\/p>\n For those serious hikers, Telescope Peak\u00a0is a must-hike in Death Valley. It\u2019s the highest point in the National Park and is even known to have snow at the top!<\/p>\n Telescope Peak is a strenuous hike but offers stunning views of the park\u2019s salt flats, canyons, and mountains. At 11,043ft, this is one of the best places to visit in the park for sunrise since it offers views over most of the park (hence the name, Telescope Peak). You can see as far as Joshua Tree Forest on a clear day.<\/p>\n The peak can be reached by way of two trails: the shorter but more difficult Mosaic Canyon Trail or the longer but less steep Saline Valley Route. <\/p>\n No matter which route you choose, make sure to allow plenty of time to reach the summit, as it can take several hours even for experienced hikers. Once you reach the top, you\u2019ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of this unique and beautiful park.<\/p>\n Before you visit Death Valley, here are some important words of advice and things you need to know.<\/p>\n Here is another unique and mystical place in California: Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve<\/a> near Yosemite.<\/p>\nWhat is Death Valley famous for?<\/h2>\n
Things to do in Death Valley National Park<\/h2>\n
1. Watch the sunrise or sunset at Zabriskie Point<\/h3>\n
2. Experience the Badwater Basin<\/h3>\n
3. Admire the views from Dante\u2019s View<\/h3>\n
4. Drive the scenic Artist\u2019s Drive<\/h3>\n
5. Take on the Golden Canyon Hike<\/h3>\n
6. Walk the Salt Creek Trail<\/h3>\n
7. Wander around the Mesquite Sand Dunes<\/h3>\n
8. Go wildlife spotting in Death Valley<\/h3>\n
9. Take the kids to become a Junior Ranger<\/h3>\n
10. Admire the Ubehebe Crater<\/h3>\n
![\"Ubehebe](\"https:\/\/www.ytravelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Ubehebe-Crater-819x1024.jpg)
11. Watch the moving stones on Racetrack Playa<\/h3>\n
![\"racetrack](\"https:\/\/www.ytravelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/racetrack-playa.jpg)
12. Hike through Mosaic Canyon<\/h3>\n
![\"mosaic](\"https:\/\/www.ytravelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/mosaic-canyon-683x1024.jpg)
13. Drive through the Twenty Mule Team Canyon<\/h3>\n
14. Admire Scotty\u2019s Castle<\/h3>\n
![\"scotty's](\"https:\/\/www.ytravelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/scottys-castle-death-valley.jpg)
15. Walk the Darwin Falls Hike<\/h3>\n
16. Hike to Telescope Peak<\/h3>\n
![\"views](\"https:\/\/www.ytravelblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/telescope-peak.jpg)
Important things to know before you go to Death Valley<\/h2>\n
\n
Getting to Death Valley National Park<\/h2>\n
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