Death Valley National Park, in the Mojave Desert of eastern California, might sound like a daunting destination for your next vacation but the area is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With its huge snow-capped mountains, eery desert landscapes, rainbow-colored rock formations and salt flats, Death Valley is amazing for hiking, camping, stargazing and long, meandering drives through the spectacular Californian wilderness.
Death Valley is undoubtedly one of America’s most unique destinations. Not only is it the hottest and driest National Park in the country but it also contains the lowest below-sea-level-basin on the continent. In fact, Death Valley has such an other-worldly atmosphere that many of the desert scenes in the original Star Wars movie were filmed there. Traditionally the home of the Native American Timbisha tribe, despite the apparently harsh conditions, Death Valley actually contains oases that support a wide range of wildlife and even small fish.
Death Valley experiences occasional bursts of heavy rain after which vast fields of wildflowers and blossoms appear out of the desert in spectacular displays of vivid color. So if you’re lucky enough to be visiting after a rainstorm, you’ll see the National Park at its very best. A perfect destination for young travelers, families and couples, the somewhat unfortunately named Death Valley should definitely be on your bucket list.
A Quick Word Of Caution
Temperatures in Death Valley during the summer months can be dangerously high and tragically, each year some visitors find themselves in difficulties. However, as long as you are sensible, bring plenty of spare water and make sure you stick to the trails, you’ll have no problems at all. If you are concerned about visiting the park, you can arrange your trip with a professionally guided tour.
How Do You Get To Death Valley, California?
Located in eastern California, Death Valley can easily be reached from any of the nearby cities, such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles. You can fly into Las Vegas, the closest major airport to Death Valley, from almost anywhere on the planet. Once you arrive in Las Vegas, you can travel onwards from there to Death Valley.
Death Valley is 130 miles from central Las Vegas and can be reached in 2 hours by car. The closest major airport to Death Valley is the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, but if you’re flying into Los Angeles the drive to the park takes between 5 and 6 hours. If you don’t have a car, you can either catch a shuttle bus to the park or better yet, join a guided tour of the park.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Death Valley, USA?
The best time to visit Death Valley is during the fall or winter. At this time of year, the temperatures are much cooler and ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and camping in the park. The springtime is also a great time to visit the park when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the weather is still cool enough not to be oppressive.
Generally speaking, you should avoid visiting Death Valley in the summer. During the summer months the temperatures frequently exceed 45 Degrees Celsius and make it nearly impossible to enjoy the scenery, unless you’re exploring the park in an air-conditioned vehicle. Even so, summer in Death Valley is not for the faint-hearted and due to the extreme temperatures and barren landscapes, it can be even quite dangerous.
What Is There To Do In Death Valley?
Stay At The Oasis – An Up-Market Resort In Death Valley
The Oasis at Death Valley is a luxury complex of accommodations in a naturally fertile oasis that is situated right in the midst of the deserts of Death Valley National Park. As one of California’s top resorts, the complex has recently undergone major renovations and boasts some of the finest facilities in the Death Valley National Park.
The Oasis resort is made up of two hotels and an 18-hole golf course, a large swimming pool, several magnificent on-site restaurants, a spa and wellness center and shops. The resort’s two hotels are the traditional AAA Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly 275-room Ranch Hotel. The resort’s five restaurants include The Last Kind Words Saloon, The Inn Dining Room, the Ranch 1849 Restaurant, the Ice Cream Parlor, the 19th Hole at the golf course and the laidback Inn Pool Cafe.
There’s also lots to do at the resort itself. Some of the most popular activities at the resort include relaxing beside the outdoor pool, playing golf at the on-site course, hiking on the surrounding trails, horseback rides that depart from Furnace Creek Stables, jeep rentals and tours, and bike rentals.
Ideally situated to explore the Death Valley National Park and all the nearby attractions, The Oasis is an opulent, family-friendly resort in the heart of the Mojave Desert.
Camping In Death Valley, California
If you’d like to really immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Death Valley National Park then why not spend a few nights camping under the stars? It’s not advisable to camp in the wild but there’s a good range of campsites for you to choose from. Many of the campgrounds have basic facilities, including water, toilets and other services such as trash removal. These campsites are easily accessible via paved roads and are fantastic for families and couples.
For more adventurous visitors to the park, you can stay at one of the primitive campgrounds. These campsites are accessed via unpaved roads so you’ll need a sturdy 4×4 vehicle with high clearance. There is no water, so you’ll have to bring your own, and you’ll also need to take all of your trash away with you at the end of your stay.
You can find out more about the camping facilities in Death Valley National Park on the park’s official website, here.
One-Day Tour Of Death Valley National Park And Rhyolite Ghost Town
This one-day, small-group tour, is the perfect way to explore Death Valley with an expert guide in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour includes stops at the Rhyolite ghost town, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Artist’s Drive, Harmony Borax Works, Badwater, and Zabriskie Point, as well as a complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off. Along the way, you’ll learn all about the history of Death Valley National Park, visit some of the best viewpoints and have lots of opportunities to take some unforgettable photos.
VIP Wine Tasting And Death Valley Sightseeing And Stargazing Photography Tour
For a magnificently indulgent way to discover Death Valley, this photography tour that includes wine tasting, sightseeing and stargazing is hard to beat! Departing from Las Vegas, this day trip is an excellent option for anyone who is not planning to stay in the park. The tour includes complimentary hotel pick up and drop off in Las Vegas and stops at Pahrump Valley Winery, Dante’s View, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Badwater, Zabriskie Point and Artists Palette.
Take A Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Of Death Valley
For visitors who would prefer to sightsee the park in their own vehicle, you can opt for a self-guided tour. The self-guided audio tour tells you where all the top attractions are in the park and explains all about the history of the areas that you are visiting. Once you’ve booked your self-guided tour, it will be sent to you via email. Then, you simply download the App and use the password you are sent in the email to access the audio guide. Just remember that you will need to have a good Wi-Fi connection in your car so you can pick up the signal of the self-guided tour.
