The desert is a place that demands a response. It’s desolation can be repulsive or its vastness awe-inspiring but rarely do you remain indifferent. Death Valley draws a wide variety of people from curious Europeans whose continent doesn’t have a desert to the sadistic who take part in the Badwater Ultramarathon dubbed the world’s toughest race. However just because there’s nothing out there doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see. The vastness and isolation are an attraction in and of themself along with other fascinating idiosyncrasies dotting the landscape.
You know you’re in a unforgiving landscape when all the place names sound straight from Dante’s Inferno with each place just another layer of hell. These names are certainly fitting as Death Valley is a place of extremes. The National Park holds the lowest point in North America and the highest air temperature recorded on Earth. These foreboding names may have driven people away in the past but today, people flock to experience the harsh environment. Although I consider it crazy to visit in the heat of summer, Death Valley is worth visiting in the cooler months. All of these features make Death Valley National Park certainly worth visiting.
Death Valley is a manageable drive from from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and also California’s other top National Parks of Sequoia, King’s Canyon, Yosemite, and Joshua Tree. The best time to visit Death Valley is between February and April when the temperatures are still cool and the wildflowers begin to bloom. I’ll give a weekend itinerary for Death Valley National Park so you can see the best locations in the park.
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Where to stay
As with any National Park, camping is a great option. The best campground is far and away Texas Springs Campground. It is near the town of Furnace Creek if you need to grab any last minute items, yet far enough from the road that it remains very quiet. Most of the campgrounds are simply gravel parking lots but Texas Springs is actually decent with a few trees and bushes to provide much needed shade. Another benefit is the check in process is very convenient with small kiosks to allow you to check in and pay.
If you would prefer a more luxurious stay, the Inn at Death Valley is literally an oasis in the desert which provides modern comforts in a harsh landscape.
Friday –
Once you’ve arrived in Death Valley National Park and have settled in, if the sun hasn’t set yet, head out to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for the sunset.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
If you think of desert and dunes, your mind might immediately recall images of the Sahara Desert. That is exactly what the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are reminiscent of. In the stark desert landscape arise these windswept formations that are a thrill to enjoy. What’s very nice about these dunes is that they are very accessible, right off highway 190 in the center of the park. Hike a little ways into the dunes and find seemingly untouched areas where the wind has covered any disturbance of the sand and created ripples across the surface. Mindlessly wander, slide down the dunes, or trek across to the highest dune; all are great options to enjoy. One great benefit of Death Valley is that sunsets are always prettier in the desert. The sand dunes are a great spot to sit back and enjoy the fire in the sky.
Saturday –
The drive down Badwater Road provides access to 3 great features of the park. Their proximity to one another make for good options to visit in the same day.
Badwater Basin
Sitting at 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is a must visit location on a trip to Death Valley. From Furnace Creek, you will depart highway 190 and head down Badwater Road for about 15 miles. Badwater Basin is aptly named as there is a marshy area amidst a vast salt flat. While there, be sure to look at the Mountain across the road where a marking denotes sea level to give you a perspective of the elevation. There are boardwalks to stroll along and if you desire, you can hike out to the salt flats; although I wouldn’t recommend it. Distance is very difficult to judge in the flat landscape as your depth perception will trick you. The trail out to the middle of the salt flat is a lot farther than you might think. If you want to walk on the salt, I would recommend stopping along the road along the basin and going out from there if you want to see the untouched salt formations.
Artist’s Palette
Halfway between Furnace Creek and Badwater Basin is Artist’s Palette. Exiting off of Badwater Road, there is a one way drive that will bring you to the Artist’s Palette. The hills are colored with a variety of pale hues of pinks, greens, blues, and browns. It creates a beautiful palette of colors that is certainly worth seeing. The colors aren’t vibrant, but true to the desert landscape, have a washed out color. The different minerals in the ground reflect different colors which make for a great picture or a fun hike among the hills.
Natural Bridge Trail
If you’re looking for a short hike, Natural Bridge trail is a great option. Right off of Badwater Road, there is a gravel road that will lead you up to the beginning of the canyon. The hike is very easy as you walk in a broad slot canyon to the bridge. There are dry waterfalls which are interesting spots where water has indented the rock during flash flood periods. Hike a little further and you will reach the natural bridge which spans the canyon.
Sunday –
Before heading out of the park, there are two great viewpoints to catch. Both provide completely different views and are interesting in their own right. Each viewpoint looks Westward which makes it ideal to visit in the morning as you head out of the park.
Zabriskie Point
One of the more popular spots in the park is Zabriskie Point. With its undulating hills and distinctive shark like fin jutting out from the landscape, it’s no wonder this place is popular with photographers. I didn’t walk around much here but it is a place I have seen people walking atop its famous ridges.
Dante’s View
One feature of the park that adds to its diversity is the drastic change of elevation that you can find. On the mountain directly above Badwater Basin are the Black Mountains that shoot up 6,000 feet. The drive from the main highway is a little ways as you detour down Furnace Creek Wash Road and then to Dante’s View Road. However, the drive is certainly worth it as you get a birds eye view into Death Valley. With the drastic elevation change, the temperature drop is quite noticeable and it can be quite chilly, especially when you are prepared for visiting the hottest place on earth. The view up here is incredible as you look down thousands of feet to see the valley below.
Other Places of Interest
The Racetrack
All of the attractions in Death Valley are easily accessible off of the road with some requiring a short hike with one exception. One of the more intriguing aspects of the park are the sailing stones or sliding rocks. On a dry, relatively flat lakebed there are rocks scattered about with curious tracks tailing behind them. It was only discovered a few years ago how they moved and for many years the mystery surrounding the rocks only added to their fame. This place, however is very remote and extremely difficult to get to. The drive time from Furnace Creek is 3.5 hours one way, requiring four-wheel drive, high clearance, and heavy duty tires. To top it all off, there is limited cell service making the drive possibly dangerous. If you plan to go, be prepared for what you’re getting yourself into.
