Things to Do
Badwater Basin is the starting point for every Death Valley visit. At 282 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in North America, and walking out onto the vast salt flat is a disorienting, extraordinary experience. The hexagonal salt formations stretch to the horizon, and looking up you can see a sign on the cliff marking sea level far above your head. It is free (beyond the $30 park entrance) and accessible via a short boardwalk and then open salt flat — we walk at least a mile out for the full effect.
Zabriskie Point is the park’s most iconic viewpoint and absolutely spectacular at sunrise. The eroded badlands below glow in waves of gold, amber, and purple as the first light hits. It is a short walk from the parking lot and free. From there, we drive Artist Drive, a winding one-way scenic road that passes through canyons of mineral-stained rock in vivid greens, purples, and reds, culminating at Artist’s Palette. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells are best at sunrise or sunset — the 100-foot dunes are accessible and dramatic, and there is no trail, so you simply wander.
For adventurous travelers, the Racetrack Playa is unforgettable. This remote dry lake bed (27 miles of rough dirt road, high-clearance 4WD required) is where the mysterious sailing stones leave long tracks in the dried mud as they slide across the surface, propelled by ice sheets and wind. Budget a full day for this excursion. The ghost town of Rhyolite, just outside the park boundary near Beatty, Nevada, is a haunting remnant of a 1905 gold rush town with crumbling bank buildings and the famous Goldwell Open Air Museum ($0 admission) of outdoor sculptures.
Where to Stay
The Inn at Death Valley ($400-$700 per night) is one of the most surreal luxury experiences in the country — a refined, Mission-style resort with a spring-fed swimming pool and date palm gardens sitting in the hottest place on Earth. Originally built in 1927, it has been beautifully renovated. Sipping a cocktail by the pool while surrounded by stark, barren mountains is unforgettable.
The Ranch at Death Valley ($180-$300) is the more accessible option in Furnace Creek, with comfortable motel-style rooms, a spring-fed pool, restaurants, a general store, and a gas station. It is the practical base for most visitors and the rooms are honestly all you need after a full day of exploring. Stovepipe Wells Village ($130-$200) on the western side of the park offers simpler rooms with a pool, saloon, and restaurant right next to the sand dunes.
Camping is the budget option and surprisingly pleasant in the cooler months. Furnace Creek Campground ($22 per night, reservable October through April, first-come in summer) sits at 190 feet below sea level with surprisingly good facilities including flush toilets. Texas Spring Campground ($16) is nearby and slightly higher. Panamint Springs Resort ($25-$150 for camping through motel rooms) is a remote outpost on the western edge with a restaurant, gas, and a wonderfully middle-of-nowhere feel.
Where to Eat
Dining in Death Valley is limited to a handful of options, all in or near Furnace Creek. The Inn at Death Valley Dining Room ($35-$55 entrees) is the fine dining option, serving surprisingly good California cuisine with white tablecloth service — surreal in this setting. Reservations are essential during peak season. The Last Kind Words Saloon at the Inn ($12-$22) serves more casual fare and cocktails in a vintage desert atmosphere.
The Ranch at Death Valley has the 49er Cafe ($10-$18) for casual breakfast and lunch — burgers, sandwiches, and salads at reasonable prices given the captive-audience location. Their dinner buffet ($25-$35) is decent and fills you up after a long day. The Toll Road Restaurant at Stovepipe Wells ($14-$26) serves basic American fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Badwater Saloon next door is good for a cold beer after a hot day.
We always bring a well-stocked cooler when visiting Death Valley. The Furnace Creek general store has basic groceries and snacks, but selection is limited and prices are inflated (expect to pay 50-100 percent more than normal). Stock up in Las Vegas, Ridgecrest, or Lone Pine before entering the park. Budget $15-$20 per person per day for self-prepared meals and snacks. Carry far more water than you think you need — at least one gallon per person per day, more if hiking.
Getting Around
Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states — over 3.4 million acres — and distances between attractions are significant. Badwater Basin to Scotty’s Castle (currently closed due to flood damage) is over 60 miles one way. A car is absolutely essential, and a full tank of gas is critical. Gas is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells inside the park, but prices are steep ($6-$8 per gallon). Fill up before you enter.
The main attractions — Badwater, Zabriskie Point, Artist Drive, sand dunes, Dante’s View — are all connected by paved roads and accessible to any vehicle. We recommend a full day for the southern loop (Badwater, Artist Drive, Golden Canyon, Zabriskie) and a second day for the northern areas (sand dunes, Ubehebe Crater, Scotty’s Castle area). Dante’s View, at 5,475 feet with views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous US, is reached via a paved but steep and winding road.
For backcountry roads like Racetrack Playa, Titus Canyon (a spectacular one-way dirt road), and Cottonwood Canyon, high-clearance 4WD is required. Rental car companies in Las Vegas that allow off-road driving are limited — check policies carefully. Cell service is nonexistent in nearly all of the park, so download offline maps, carry a paper map, and let someone know your itinerary. Roadside assistance can be hours away.