12 Epic Things to Do in Death Valley National Park

The name Death Valley is quite intriguing. One would ask, why would anyone want to visit such a place? However, the truth is that Death Valley is a land of beautiful yet dangerous extremes. It is one of the hottest and driest places on earth and the lowest place in North America at 86m (282 feet) below sea level.

The valley got its name from a group of pioneers who had a near-death experience in it in 1849 while on transit to the goldfields of California. But despite the harshness, Death Valley National Park is a top tourist destination in California. It boasts unique geological formations and colorful vistas. Here are 12 epic things to do in Death Valley National Park.

Visit Badwater Basin

The Badwater Basin is the most popular attraction in Death Valley National Park. How can anyone come here and miss visiting the lowest point in North America? The basin is said to have gotten the name after an early explorer's mule refused to drink the water due to high salt concentration.

The basin is located on the park's south end, and the salt flats stretch about 200 square miles, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape. Stroll on the salt flats to experience the unique hexagonal formations and the sense of vastness. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the extreme heat and to catch the best lighting for photography.

Explore the Mesquite Flat Sand

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are perhaps the most accessible in Death Valley. They are located in the park's central area near Stovepipe Wells, about a 30-minute drive from Furnace Creek. They can be accessed through Highway 190 or the Sand Dune Road. Keep in mind that this area is very popular, so parking could be a problem if you arrive late. Walking to and from the primary dune is about 2 miles.

The dunes are an excellent spot for stargazing due to the minimal light pollution. Early morning light also makes the sky appear purple, but you need to get there before the sun comes over the mountain. Have a blast climbing to the highest dune for panoramic views of the surrounding desert, and bring a sandboard and glide down the dunes for an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Hike to Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is one of the best places to visit if you want panoramic views of Death Valley. According to NPS, the views from here are the most photographed in the park. Zabriskie Point is accessible through Highway 190. A 15-minute drive from Creek Visitor Centre will bring you to a parking lot, where you'll leave your car and hike about 1/4 mile on a paved trail. The trail has limited elevation.

You'll be treated to dramatic views of the golden-colored Badlands from the top of Zabriskie Point. When done watching, you can use the Badlands Loop Trail at the Zabriskie Point parking lot to explore the Badlands.

Discover Dante's View

Many first-timers don't usually include Dante's View on their itinerary, which is totally understandable. The spot is further from other park attractions, as it is situated 45 minutes drive from Furnace Creek or 35 minutes drive from the Amargosa Opera House. However, if you are willing to take this worthy detour, you will be rewarded with panoramic vistas in Death Valley.

Dante's View sits at an elevation of 5,475 feet. You can see the entire valley from here and even cross to Mount Whitney on a clear day. You can also continue hiking along the ridge to Mt. Perry.

Explore the Racetrack Playa

Are you looking for a rough, mysterious outdoor adventure? A drive to the Racetrack Playa will deliver precisely that. Racetrack Playa is famous for its mysterious moving rocks that leave trails behind them in the dry lakebed. It is situated in a valley between the Cottonwood and Last Chance Ranges, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Furnace Creek. The road to the Racetrack starts near Ubehebe Crater but gets rough along the way, such that only 4×4 and high-clearance vehicles can make the journey.

Along the way, you see Joshua plants that somehow resemble cacti. After covering 26 miles, you will reach Racetrack and the Grandstand parking area. Take a trail west of the parking lot with an elevation of 1800 feet to explore the 3-mile-long and 2-mile-wide Racetrack Playa (dry lakebed). To see the moving rocks, you'll have to drive a further two miles south and then walk half a mile towards the southeast side of the playa.

Visit the Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater is a large crater in the park's northern part formed by a massive steam explosion. It is about half a mile across and 600 feet deep. A walk around the crater is about 3 miles and will take you through other small craters like Little Hebe. However, if you want a more challenging, shorter route, take the one that goes into the crater. If you are not into hiking, you can still observe the crater from the parking lot below before proceeding to other attractions like the Racetrack.

Walk through Golden Canyon

Did you watch Star Wars? If you did, you would be happy to know that the desert scenes in episode 6 were shot in the Golden Canyon of Death Valley. Of course, there is no gold in the canyon. The name is derived from the deep yellow coloration on the canyon walls.

Golden Canyon is located near Furnace Creek. The trailhead is easily accessible by car via Badwater Road. The canyon walls are composed of sedimentary rock layers, primarily sandstone and mudstone, which have been uplifted and eroded over millions of years. These layers reveal a geological history that includes ancient riverbeds and lake deposits.

The Golden Canyon Trail is relatively short and moderately easy. It is suitable for families and casual hikers. Hikers can take a 2-mile hike that ends at the junction to Red Cathedral, while others continue for an additional 0.5 miles to turn around the vertically fluted walls of a natural amphitheater—Red's Cathedral. Professional hikers can cover 7.8 miles to end up at Zabriskie Point.

Explore the Mosaic Canyon

Mosaic Canyon is situated in the northwestern part of Death Valley National Park. You'll use the Mosaic Canyon road at Stovepipe Wells Village to access the canyon just across Stovepipe Wells Campground. It is a 2.3-mile stretch of varying difficulty. The road is unpaved but passable by vehicles, so you can expect a lot of traffic jams. However, this shouldn't deter you. Most people will turn back once they reach areas with major obstacles.

Mosaic Canyon is famous for its polished marble walls and the unique "mosaic breccia" formations that give the canyon its name. The smooth, polished marble walls result from water erosion over thousands of years.

Visit the Devil's Golf Course

The Devil's Golf Course is a vast expanse of jagged salt formations, so named because it's said that "only the devil could play golf on such rough terrain." It is located between Badwater and Furnace Creek. If you decide to walk on the salt formation, wear sturdy shoes and be cautious to avoid injury. It wouldn't be wise to allow children to play here.

Check out the Artist's Palette

The Artists Drive Scenic Loop is very rich in attractions. However, the Artist's Palette is the highlight. This area is renowned for its vibrant and multi-hued rock formations, which create a natural palette of colors that look as if an artist painted them.

The color variations are due to the oxidation of different metals within the rock. To visit the area, take a 30-minute detour from Badwater Road and follow the Artist's Drive Scenic Loop.

Hike Telescope Peak

Telescope Peak is the highest point in Death Valley National Park, at an impressive 11,049 feet (3 367 meters). It offers some of the most spectacular views in the park, including panoramic vistas of both Death Valley and the Sierra Nevada. The peak is part of the Panamint Range and starkly contrasts the arid desert below.

Telescope Peak is located in the western part of Death Valley National Park. The most common starting point for the hike is from the Mahogany Flat Campground. The route is steep, rough, and narrow, and you'll need 4×4 or high-clearance vehicles to cover the final part of the trailhead.

Explore Darwin Falls

Darwin Falls is a rare and lush oasis in the otherwise arid landscape of Death Valley National Park. This perennial waterfall is fed by a spring, creating a verdant environment that starkly contrasts the surrounding desert. It is one of the few places in the park to experience flowing water and vibrant greenery.

Accessing the fall is quite challenging. You'll use an unmarked gravel road 1.2 miles west of Panamint Springs Resort. Unfortunately, the road is sometimes impassable.

Conclusion

Despite being the hottest and driest place on earth, Death Valley National Park has many spectacular attractions. It is truly the land of extremes and surprises. Hopefully, you will get to do some of these epic things to make your trip memorable. Remember that the best time to see these attractions is early morning before 10 am or late afternoon to avoid the extreme heat. Wear sunscreen and carry more water than you think you'll need.

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