Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park

Dotted with expansive salt flats, craggy canyons, kaleidoscopic rocks, and a spooky ghost town, Death Valley is one of the most magical places in the US. But it’s also one of the most extreme. So when is the best time to visit Death Valley, you may wonder. Let’s unpack that.

Death Valley National Park is a world of extremes. Not only is it where the highest temperature was ever recorded worldwide, but it is also the driest and hottest place in North America. However, when you visit Death Valley, it won’t be all doom and gloom. 

You’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Death Valley National Park. From marveling at the diverse landscapes to strolling through a desert of dunes, this national park will leave you awe-struck. Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details of the perfect time to visit Death Valley.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

How to Get to Death Valley National Park

Death Valley straddles the California-Nevada border, so you’ll have several route options to choose from. The fastest way to get to Death Valley is by flying into the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. It’s about a two-hour drive from the national park.

A second option is landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), renting a car, and then driving for about five hours to Death Valley National Park. There is a third alternative, though. Death Valley is near many regional airports, Furnace Creek Airport (DTH) being the closest.

Best Time to Go to Death Valley

Due to the extreme heat that summer brings, the best time to visit Death Valley National Park is during cooler months, like in winter. But spring — with its wildflowers blooming — and fall — a much quieter season in the park — are also fantastic times to visit the park. 

Worst Time to Visit Death Valley

Summer is, without a doubt, the worst time to visit Death Valley National Park. Scorching temperatures are rife throughout the season, so most visitors choose to tour the park by car along its paved roads. Summer temperatures are good for short hikes and scenic drives. 

Visiting Death Valley in Spring (March, April, May)

Spring is the most popular time to experience Death Valley National Park. Not only does the season usher in pleasant temperatures, but it also covers the valley with a blanket of colorful wildflowers. But, during major holidays like Spring Break, you’ll contend with larger crowds.

Things to Do in Death Valley in Spring

Besides admiring the pretty wildflowers, there are lots of other thrilling things to do in Death Valley during spring. Here are a few things to consider adding to your Death Valley itinerary.

Hike the Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral

• Elevation Gain: 577 feet
• Mileage: 2.9 miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Defined by golden canyon walls, the hike to Red Cathedral via the Golden Canyon Trail is one of the most mesmerizing treks in Death Valley. The route gradually inclines through narrow corridors and rock scrambles, ending at a natural amphitheater — Red Cathedral. Your hike begins at the Golden Canyon Parking Lot, where you’ll also find restrooms. 

Enjoy Stargazing

Thanks to its remote location and low light pollution, Death Valley National Park is one of the best places to marvel at the star-studded night sky. The park has a “Gold Tier” classification from the International Dark-Sky Association, meaning the sky is so dark that you may spot celestial objects seen nowhere else. Bring a telescope or binoculars for an up-close look.

Marvel at Artist’s Palette

• Elevation Gain: 108 feet
• Mileage: 0.3 miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Hidden amongst the golden landscapes, Artist’s Palette offers a rainbow of colors splashed across rugged cliffs. The red, orange, green, blue, and pink hues you’ll see here are due to volcanic deposits. Sunrise and sunset are excellent times to see this, as the changing lights and shadows add to the allure.

Attend the Dark Sky Festival

Do you find yourself gazing at the stars on a regular basis? Perhaps you’re an “astrophile”, someone who loves everything celestial. If that’s you, going to the Dark Sky Festival should be high on your list. At this annual event, you’ll learn about our galaxy by attending ranger-led astronomy talks, programs, and presentations that will leave you astounded.  

Go Wildflower Watching

Death Valley National Park is famous for its colorful wildflower season, and it’s not hard to see why. Following a successful rainy season throughout fall, winter, and early spring, the desert flowers bloom, and the valley floor is covered with vibrant gold, purple, pink, or white hues.   

Visiting Death Valley in the Summer (June, July, August)

The summer months are undoubtedly the hottest of the year, yet visitors still flock to Death Valley. During summer, most tourists tend to explore the park by car and take on short hikes. But there are other things you can do in summer, just remember to carry plenty of water.

Things to Do in Death Valley in the Summer

Although summer is not the best time to experience Death Valley due to the intense temperatures, it is a good time to attend ranger programs and trek shorter trails in the park.

Catch the Sunset at Zabriskie Point

• Elevation Gain: 52.5 feet
• Mileage: 0.4 miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

Popularized by the sea of badlands and red peaks in the background, Zabriskie Point is the most iconic viewpoint in Death Valley National Park. However, Zabriskie Point is even more stunning at sunrise and sunset. While it is a short hike, the rewards are simply extraordinary.  

Take a Scenic Drive Through the Badwater Basin

To avoid the deadly heat of the summer months, enjoy a scenic drive through the Badwater Basin. This is the lowest point in North America, characterized by intriguing salt flats. As you drive through the Badwater Basin, you’ll pass interesting viewpoints like the Devil’s Golf Course — a series of rocky salt formations created thousands of years ago.

Hike the Natural Bridge Trail

• Elevation Gain: 449 feet
• Mileage: 1.4 miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

If you’re keen on going on a short hike that minimizes sun exposure and maximizes canyon scenery, look no further than the Natural Bridge Trail. This relatively quick and fun trail takes you through a dry, water-sculpted canyon towards a bridge-like rock formation with lots of shade. You’ll find the starting point of the Natural Bridge Trail along Badwater Road.

Stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center

Another great way to stay clear of sweltering summer temperatures is by spending time at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. This is where you’ll get all clued up on the geology and history of Death Valley National Park. You can also purchase maps, see exhibits, and get advice from park rangers.

Trek to Darwin Falls

• Elevation Gain: 233 feet
• Mileage: 1.9 miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

The extremely dry landscapes of Death Valley will have you thinking that there is no water body around, but there is. Darwin Falls is one of a few year-round waterfalls in Death Valley National Park. The spring-fed water creates an oasis with lush trees, cattails, and cascades flowing in the background. This is an amazing place to spot some of the park’s wildlife, like bighorn sheep, frogs, and toads, which all depend on the vegetation for survival.

Visiting Death Valley in the Fall (September, October, November)

Fall brings moderate temperatures to Death Valley. This time of year marks the beginning of camping season, complimented by clear skies. Fall is a less-crowded time of the year, but the weeks leading up to the Death Valley ’49ers Encampment and Thanksgiving are quite busy.

Things to Do in Death Valley in the Fall

Fall is one of the best times to visit Death Valley, so you can rest assured that you’ll find many exciting things to do. Ranger programs are in full swing during this season, and most trails are open.

Wander Around the Devil’s Golf Course

The Devil’s Golf Course is one of the most outstanding sights in Death Valley National Park. These expansive salt flats boast countless halite salt crystal formations created thousands of years ago when the lake that was here dried out. If you listen closely, you may hear some pings and pops; that’s the sound of the tiny crystals exploding as they heat and contract.

Trek to Ubehebe Crater

• Elevation Gain: 358 feet
• Mileage: 1.8 miles (loop)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Sitting at 600 feet deep and half a mile across, the Ubehebe Crater is one of the most incredible natural wonders in Death Valley National Park. The word Ubehebe means “big basket,” which is exactly what the volcanic crater looks like. Walking down to the crater is relatively easy, but hiking back up can be exhausting. 

Hike to Telescope Peak

• Elevation Gain: 3,245 feet
• Mileage: 12.2 miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail Guide: Link

Death Valley offers a treasure trove of outdoor activities, but one that trumps them all is hiking to the highest point in the national park. Since fall is one of the best times to explore Death Valley, it’s also an excellent time to hike to Telescope Peak. 

Your trek begins at the Mahogany Flat Campground, with a steady incline through lush Pinyon, Limber, and Bristlecone pines until you reach the summit.

Stroll Through the Rhyolite Ghost Town

Located about a 10-minute drive from Death Valley National Park, Rhyolite is a ghost town in Nye County, Nevada. The town’s ruins are a result of abandonment. Rhoylite’s gold boom was extremely short-lived, as the town was founded in 1904 and deserted by 1916.

The Rhyolite Ghost Town has been featured in many movies and is a wonderful place to stroll around. Besides the bottle houses, you’ll also spot bizarre artworks and sculptures.

Visiting Death Valley in Winter (December, January, February)

Winter is arguably the best time to visit Death Valley National Park. This is thanks to cooler temperatures, even at high elevations. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas experience fewer crowds, but the numbers pick up soon after New Year’s.

Things to Do in Death Valley in Winter

The winter months offer a terrific opportunity to explore Death Valley’s sand dunes, salt flats, and craggy canyons. All without the worry about getting heat stroke.

See the Sunrise at Dante’s View

• Elevation Gain: 220 feet
• Mileage: 1 mile (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Dante’s View is possibly the best viewpoint in Death Valley National Park. Peaking at 5,575 feet above the Badwater Basin, Dante’s View gives you a bird’s-eye perspective of the arid valley and mountains nearby. Sunrise is particularly magnificent here; as dusk breaks, the valley’s horizon is illuminated with colorful shades of orange, yellow, red, pink, and purple.

Take a Scenic Drive Through Titus Canyon

Another amazing way to enjoy Death Valley is by taking an exhilarating ride through Titus Canyon. This is undoubtedly the best scenic drive in the park. The 27-mile scenic drive takes about two hours to complete, and along the way, you’ll pass desert landscapes and ghost towns as you zig-zag between towering rugged cliffs.

Explore the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

Sitting along Emigrant Canyon Road, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are among some of Death Valley’s wonders that you’ll absolutely love. These beehive-shaped kilns were used to produce charcoal during the mining era and stand today as a sneak peek into the late 1800s.

Marvel at the Eureka Dunes

Covering an area of three miles long and a mile wide, the Eureka Dunes are the tallest sand dunes in California — and possibly all of North America. These golden sand dunes are an outstanding place to find absolute solitude in the desert. 

The sand dunes are located in the northwestern part of Death Valley, a place that receives a lot of rainfall. It is also home to several endemic animal and plant species like the Eureka Dunegrass and the Dunes Evening Primrose.

Final Thoughts on When to Visit Death Valley National Park

Whether you’re up to exploring craggy canyons or looking to see breathtaking views of volcanic craters, Death Valley National Park has got you covered. 

From taking on the best hikes in Death Valley to walking on sand dunes and seeing the stunning super bloom, the best time to visit Death Valley offers you that and so much more. Just remember to avoid coming in the hottest months, when dry heat overcomes the valley.

Pin For Later: Best Time to Visit Death Valley