Death Valley Travel Guide: Our Favorite Places (and Where We Wish We’d Gone)

Death Valley Travel Guide: Our Favorite Places (and Where We Wish We’d Gone)

Death Valley. The name alone conjures visions of a desolate wasteland strewn with the bones of unfortunate wildlife and a few lonely tumbleweeds rolling in the wind. While we did drive through a dust storm to reach Death Valley National Park, what we found was a place teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and one of the cutest wildlife encounters we’ve had yet.

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Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

Why is it Called Death Valley Anyway?

Before we get into our Death Valley story, here’s a little background. The area received its ominous name in the mid-1800s when a group of pioneers got lost here. Seeing nothing but mountains surrounding them, the group assumed they’d meet their demise in this sweltering arid place. Luckily, a route over the mountains and out of the valley was eventually discovered. As the story goes, from the mountains above, a pioneer turned and looked down at the brutal landscape one last time saying, “Goodbye Death Valley.” And the name stuck.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Death Valley?

We visited in mid-November (yep, I’m a slacker and finally getting around to writing about it) and the weather was perfect. The days were still hot and sunny but not unbearably so. The nights were on the cold side, but a nice respite after the heat of the day. Mid-October through mid-May is considered the best time to visit Death Valley.

Driving to Death Valley

Death Valley is the largest national park outside of Alaska and much like in pioneer times, there aren’t any towns nearby. Okay so maybe speeding along in our metal mobiles is nothing like pioneer times, but that doesn’t stop me from laying in bed pretending Stan the Tan Van is a covered wagon. Totally normal right?

Anyway, our drive into the park was particularly ominous as a wind storm had knocked out all cell and WiFi service in the surrounding area. We stopped at a visitor center near Lone Pine to pick-up a map so directions weren’t a problem, but the wind created a dust storm as we drove the long stretch of remote desert into the park. Then we hit the Panamint Mountains. We went up, then down, then up again, along steep, twisting, narrow roads. Stan began making a ticking sound. This was a new sound. New sounds usually aren’t a good sign. Fortunately, we soon crested the last rise in the road and were coasting down towards our campsite for the night.

Camping in Death Valley National Park

We stayed at two different campgrounds during our visit to Death Valley. The first one is Emigrant Campground on the west side of the park. It’s free to stay here, but there are only 10 sites and they fill-up quickly. We arrived in the early afternoon and snagged the last spot.

You won’t find electric hookups here, but you will find adorable furry creatures roaming around at night. No, I’m not talking about Tom. This is the first place we saw kit foxes. These little nocturnal animals are about the size of a house cat and primarily eat small desert animals. However, I suspect they may be interested in human food because we saw them near the garbage bins. A good reason to always store your food away properly.

We also spent a night at the Furnace Creek Campground. It’s centrally located and has the usual full-service campground amenities of water, RV hook-ups, etc. Honestly, we preferred Emigrant Campground and not just because of the price—although free is a very good price. At Furnace Creek the campsites aren’t unusual for large parks, but they are very open, very close together, and very crowded. At Emigrant, while the campground is also open, it’s small so you’re surrounded by the vast desert and lovely mountain views. Overall it was a more peaceful setting.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

Our Favorite Places in Death Valley National Park

In addition to being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the US, Death Valley is home to a wide array of unique formations. It has sand dunes, salt flats, mountains, and canyons (there’s even a place called the devil’s golf course). There’s a ton to see and do here, but these top our list of favorite places and experiences in Death Valley National Park.

1. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Located, not far from the Emigrant Campground, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are a perfect way to end the day. Visit at sunset for cooler temperatures. Plus you’ll be treated to a lightshow as the sun casts shadows across the towering dunes.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

2. Artists Drive

This 9-mile loop drive takes you through some of the most colorful rocks you’re likely to ever see. The drive itself is lovely. The one-way narrow road winds and twists through hills and rock faces. The main stop is Artists Palette which really does look like an artists’ smattering of green, pink, purple, and orange on the hillside. The vibrant colors are caused by oxidation of minerals and elements in the rock.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

3. Badwater Basin

At 282 ft below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. It’s also the most crowded place we encountered in Death Valley National Park. Badwater Basin is a large salt flat that extends to the mountains in the distance. The flat was created when an especially salty lake evaporated thousands of years ago. Hiking here is free range once you’re past the boardwalk so you can make your trek as long or short as you want.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

4. Devil’s Golf Course

This is one of those surreal places that feels more like something out of a science-fiction movie than real-life. Here the same salt and minerals from the ancient lake have been shaped and formed by the elements into intricate formations that stand 1-2 feet off the ground. The salt is hard, porous, and sharp so while you are allowed to walk among the formations, do so carefully (especially if you have coordination like me) to avoid any injuries.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

5. Zabrinskie Point

If you’re looking for some expansive views, this is the place. Here you’ll find an overlook situated above the yellow and orange badlands of Death Valley.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

6. Natural Bridge

A short hike will bring you to this natural bridge formation situated in a cool shady canyon.
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

7. Sidewinder Canyon Area

Notice that qualifying word “area” above? Well, that’s because we never actually found Sidewinder Canyon. We did however, find a few other small canyons that were not only amazing in their own right, but provided a nice reprieve from the crowds in Badwater Basin.

If you continue on Badwater road past the salt flats something amazing happens. The throngs of tourists will disappear. Poof! Just like that, they’ll be gone. Okay so they don’t vaporize or anything, but the majority of people only go as far as Badwater Basin.

If you’re looking for some solitude and trails all to yourself (and I’m using “trails” in the loosest sense here) head to Sidewinder Canyon. There aren’t any trails, signs, or markers here so you’re on your own exploring, but that adds to the adventure. Here’s a really good guide to the canyon (which we wish we would’ve looked at before we set out).
Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

Where We Wish We’d Gone in Death Valley

Due to the size of Death Valley and our rough-road limitations, there are a number of things we didn’t get to do during our visit. This is what tops our list for next time in Death Valley.

1. Sailing Stones at the Racetrack

The racetrack is an area where large stones mysteriously move on their own, leaving tracks in the baked earth behind them. The movement is cause by a combination of weather, wind, and erosion, but it’s still pretty eerie and something that’s high on my list of things to see! A high clearance 4×4 vehicle is required to drive the road to the Racetrack so sadly we had to table this adventure for another time. Hmmm, maybe we could start pulling a Jeep behind Stan?

2. Dante’s View

I mentioned before that Stan began ticking during our drive into Death Valley. Due to this new noise, we were hesitant to push him further than necessary so we skipped the 5,475 ft drive up to Dante’s View. In hindsight, this would’ve been a good place to practice our hitchhiking skills.

3. Scotty’s Castle

Not visiting Scotty’s Castle was legitimately beyond our control. The site has been closed since 2015 when extreme storms caused massive flooding and damage to the structure, grounds, and road leading here. The park targets 2020 for the re-opening of the area. In the meantime, check out the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to see the exhibit about Scotty’s Castle.

Has anyone been to Death Valley? What was your favorite place? Let us know in the comments below.

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Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park is teeming with geological marvels, diverse terrain, and wildlife. In this post you’ll find information about driving to the park, camping, and the best things to do in Death Valley.

4 thoughts on “Death Valley Travel Guide: Our Favorite Places (and Where We Wish We’d Gone)”

    1. We miss you guys too! You’d love Death Valley – such an incredible and diverse place! We’re in AZ for a bit now, but might be somewhat in your neck of the woods in a few weeks. Will definitely let you know because yes, we do totally need to hang out again! 🙂

  2. Looks thrilling place. Beautiful pics Liana. I wish I could plan Death Valley soon 🙂 Inspired after reading this post. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thank you for the kind words. So happy to hear that you found inspiration in this post. Death Valley is incredible and such a unique place. I hope you get to visit soon. Best wishes!

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