How to Spend One Day in Death Valley

In the spirit of the heat wave that has been sweeping the country over the past week, it seemed appropriate to revisit the hottest place we’ve ever visited: Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is really as hot as it gets. The highest temperature ever recorded was recorded in 1913 in Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley at 134 °F. In the heart of the summer, it is so hot in the park that you really don’t want to stay outside of an air conditioned space for very long outside of the early morning and evening hours. There are signs at all of the hiking trails discouraging visitors from hiking after 10:00 AM due to the dangerously hot temperatures. This obviously limits one’s options for summer activities, but if you’re traveling by car, you can easily traverse most of the park in a day and hop in and hop out at all of the most scenic viewpoints. If you visit in fall, winter, or spring, your ability to safely explore the park increases significantly and you’ll have plenty of options for hiking, biking, and camping.

Weather

Because the summers are so outrageously hot, if you want to make the most of your experience, your best bet is to visit between October and April, when the daytime highs are most moderate. This time of year is much safer for hiking, biking, etc. The spring is the most popular time of year to visit the park due to the comfortable temperatures and the arrival of the spring wildflowers. Winter is also comfortable (although it gets cold at night) and the high peaks surrounding the valley are typically capped with snow.

Map

See the map below for the top places to visit if you only have a day to spend in the park.

1. Zabriskie Point

If you’re entering the park from the East on route 190, Zabriskie Point is the first major landmark you’ll encounter. There’s a small parking lot right off the road, and a short paved trail that leads you to the view point. You can either elect to take in the incredible views of the striated badlands formations from the designated lookout point, or you can hike the 2.7 mile Badlands Loop trail to get more up close and personal. Again, if you’re hiking, it’s best to stay off the trail in the middle of the day and bring copious amounts of water. We were at Zabriskie Point just before midday, but it is well known as one of the best sunset/sunrise view points in the park.

2. Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is probably one of the most photogenic locations in any of the US National Parks. It’s the most otherworldly sight in a park that is full or otherworldly sights. The vast landscape of salt flats surrounded by mountains on all sides is a sight to behold. For this reason (and due to its impressive superlative), Badwater Basin is the most popular destination in Death Valley. At 282 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in North America…and it gets insanely hot. You have the option of walking out along the salty path for 10 minutes or so until the salt flats spread out in all directions providing some spectacular views.

It was a cool 124 in August

3. Devil’s Golf Course

Devil’s Golf Course is located just down Badwater Road road from Badwater Basin so it’s easily to see both in quick succession. It’s essentially another massive salt flat that has been eroded over time into a field of small rocky spires that resemble golf balls. There really isn’t much to do here except for admire the view, but it’s well worth stopping to see, particularly since it’s so close to Badwater Basin. There’s an easily passable dirt road that leads you down to the parking area.

4. Artist’s Drive

Located just off Badwater Road, Artist’s Drive is a 9-mile, one-way scenic drive through a series of multicolored hills. Although Artist’s Palette is the most popular view point on the drive, the winding road itself is equally impressive. The road gets very narrow at several points and takes some sharp turns through the rocky formations. It makes the most sense to do the drive on the way back from Badwater Basin/Devil’s Golf Course since it is a one-way road that runs from South to North.







5. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are an example of the incredible diversity of landscapes in Death Valley. The dunes are located about 45 minutes from Badwater Basin and they are the only dunes in the park where dune boarding is permitted. If you’re entering the park from the West on Route 190, this will be one of the first major attraction’s you’ll encounter on your drive.

Many people simply drive through Death Valley given its location between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, so it’s a popular destination for a single-day or half-day trip. It is a large park and you can’t possibly see it all in a day, but if a day is all you have, then the destinations mentioned above are a great place to start.

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