Death Valley
Inyo County, California · National Park
Death Valley is known for its stunning desert landscapes, extreme temperatures, and unique geological features, including salt flats and sand dunes. It's a place of stark beauty and diverse ecosystems boasting rugged mountains and vibrant wildflower blooms in spring.
Campgrounds
- Eureka Dunes Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · year-round · $0 · 2,880 ft
- Homestake Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Year-round · $0 · 3,785 ft
- Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Summer through fall; often closed in winter due to snow and ice · $0 · 8,133 ft
- Emigrant Campground — Closed (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Closed indefinitely due to storm damage to the water system · 10 sites · $0 · 2,100 ft
- Furnace Creek Campground — year-round; reservations accepted October 15 through April 15, first-come, first-served the remainder of the year · 129 sites · $30–$60 · -190 ft · reserve
- Saline Valley Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Year-round · $0 · 1,375 ft
- Sunset Campground — first come, first served · Late fall through mid-to-late April · $9–$18 · -142 ft
- Texas Springs Campground — first come, first served · Late fall through mid-April · 26 tent sites · $10–$20 · -84 ft
- Mesquite Spring Campground — first come, first served · Year-round · $10–$20 · 1,800 ft
- Thorndike Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Mid-April through December, pending snowfall · $0 · 7,400 ft
- Wildrose Campground — first come, first served · Year round · $0 · 4,100 ft
- Stovepipe Wells Campground — first come, first served · Late fall through mid-to-late April · 190 sites · $9–$18 · -1 ft
Lodging
- Stovepipe Wells Village · reserve
- The Inn at Death Valley · reserve
- The Ranch at Death Valley · reserve
- Panamint Springs Resort · reserve
Top trails
- Mosaic Canyon Trail — 3.5 mi out & back
- Golden Canyon Trail — 3.0 mi one way
- Natural Bridge Trail — 1.0 mi loop
- Badwater Basin Trail — 1.8 mi out & back
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail — 2.2 mi
Visiting
Fees — Per Person: $15, Access Pass: $0, Park Annual Pass: $55, Private Vehicle: $30, Military Annual Pass: $0, Senior Annual Pass: $20.
Parking: The $30/vehicle entrance fee (7-day pass) covers parking at all trailheads, viewpoints, and lots throughout the park. Pay stations are distributed across the park rather than concentrated at a single entry point.. Dogs allowed on leash. Cell service: mixed. Phone: 760-786-3200.
Facilities: 40 parking areas (Bennetts Well Parking, Death Valley National Park Eastern Entrance, Golden Canyon Parking, Badwater Parking, Zabriskie Point Parking, Visitor Center Parking), 58 restrooms, drinking water, 6 picnic areas, a visitor center.
Typical weather
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49°F | 35°F | 0.7 in |
| Feb | 52°F | 37°F | 0.9 in |
| Mar | 60°F | 43°F | 0.7 in |
| Apr | 67°F | 49°F | 0.3 in |
| May | 76°F | 58°F | 0.2 in |
| Jun | 87°F | 67°F | 0.1 in |
| Jul | 93°F | 74°F | 0.3 in |
| Aug | 91°F | 72°F | 0.1 in |
| Sep | 83°F | 65°F | 0.2 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 53°F | 0.3 in |
| Nov | 57°F | 42°F | 0.3 in |
| Dec | 48°F | 34°F | 0.6 in |
Top spots
- Badwater Basin — POI
- Zabriskie Point — POI
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes — POI
- Dante's View — POI
- Artist's Palette — POI
- Racetrack Playa — POI
- Devil's Golf Course — POI
- Ubehebe Crater — POI
- Golden Canyon — POI
- Eureka Dunes — POI
Coordinates: 36.5054, -117.0794. Official website.
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