8 Crucial Stops to Survive in the Death Valley (Day Trip Itinerary)

Visiting Death Valley is like stepping onto another planet—an extreme yet breathtaking landscape of vast salt flats, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains. As the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S., it demands careful planning to ensure a safe and unforgettable trip.

I've explored this incredible region firsthand, and in this guide, I'll share expert tips on the best time to visit Death Valley, must-see landmarks, safety precautions, and insider travel advice.

Timing is everything. The ideal months for a Death Valley trip are from November to March, when temperatures are mild, making it possible to hike and explore famous spots like Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes without the danger of extreme heat. Summer temperatures can soar past 120°F (49°C), making outdoor activities dangerous.

For a seamless experience, I’ll cover the top Death Valley attractions, including Dante’s View, Artist’s Palette, and the mysterious Racetrack Playa, where rocks appear to move on their own. I'll also provide crucial Death Valley safety tips, from staying hydrated to understanding remote road conditions.

Whether you're planning a scenic drive, a rugged off-road adventure, or a stargazing night in one of the world’s best dark sky parks, this guide ensures you make the most of your visit. Let’s dive into everything you need to know for an epic Death Valley National Park adventure.

How to get to Death Valley?

The drive can be done from west to east , or the other way around, depending on where you arrive from. In our case, we were coming from Yosemite and Kings Canyon and Sequoia . We decided to stop for the night in Bakersfield. From there, we headed to Death Valley, ready to explore this stunning desert.

how to visit death valley

We entered Death Valley National Park from the west, taking Highway 190 , and left it to the east towards Las Vegas . Our route took us along State Line Road to Pahrump, from where we continued along Highway 160 to our next destination.

Itinerary

– Starting point : Bakersfield
– Ending point : Las Vegas
– Total miles : 420
– Miles in Death Valley : 130
– Estimated time : 9 and a half hours
– Time spent in Death Valley: 4 and a half hours
– Death Valley price : $30 per car (included in the America the Beautiful pass , available at any park in the National Parks network, valid for 1 year and priced at $80 per car). There are no rangers at the entrance, so you will have to put the money in a box and take a piece of paper (we don’t know exactly how it works, since we had the pass).

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Visiting Death Valley: How to Get Around

The best way to get around Death Valley is by car. Also, keep in mind that visits will be limited to short periods outside the vehicle, because staying out in the sun for too long is almost like gambling with your life. Seriously, it's very hot and unbearable. Please remember to bring plenty of water with you!

Don't have a car? Sign up for a day trip to Death Valley from Las Vegas.

Remember that the main highway (190) runs through Death Valley, although to see the most interesting places you have to detour onto other secondary roads and go back and forth on the same one.

Places to Visit in the Death Valley

These are some of the most important points of interest to visit in Death Valley National Park :

1. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

After crossing the hills and entering Death Valley , the first stop of interest is these dunes on our left. The parking lot is just a few steps from the beginning of the sand and it is easy to get to. However, don't try to walk through them because you could die trying (literally). Although they are small, they are very, very cool!

what to see in death valley Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

2. Furnace Creek (Information Center)

This spot is more or less halfway through the park . Here you have bathrooms and the tourist information point , exhibitions, a film explaining the Death Valley phenomenon and a thermometer at the exit where you can check your temperature. As we told you, in the middle of a heat wave and in June, we were at 127 degrees Fahrenheit , or what is the same, 53 degrees Celsius !

The heat here is truly overwhelming. You'll notice it: you just have to get to the car and start drinking water , only to suddenly realise that you've already had two litres of water... and you've only just arrived! It's an experience that reminds you of the extreme nature of this place and the importance of staying hydrated at all times .

The worst part of all isn't the sun beating down on your head, hammering your brains out, it's when a gust of scorching wind blows up, burning your eyelids and scorching your skin. It's the closest thing to a Terminator apocalypse we've ever experienced!

heat in death valley

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3. Devil´s Golf Course

The name says it all: “ the Devil’s Golf Course ” – olé! This curious place is located on the right side of the road to Badwater and is covered with blocks of crystallized salt, which have been eroded by the wind and rain, creating sharp and whimsical shapes. Although it is an interesting place to explore, the condition of the road did not seem the best to us, so we decided to give it a miss this time. Maybe next time!

crystallized salt field in death valley

4. Badwater Basin (-86 meters)

Badwater Basin is one of the most curious places to see in Death Valley . It is the lowest point in the northern hemisphere : it is 86 meters below sea level . If you look up, as soon as you get out of the car you will see a sign on the rocks that indicates where point 0 of sea level is... and you will flip out (so high?).

But you're even more amazed when you start walking along the salt path that goes into the valley and your feet start to cook. Which didn't stop me from running around there for a few meters like a headless chicken (a dream I had, like running along the Great Wall of China, don't judge me).

It is located 27 km from the detour, and the road is in perfect condition.

5. Artists Palette

On this same road, returning to the main road, there is the Artists Palette loop (one way only), a path that runs through some small canyons and mountains with different colors, which vary according to the oxidation and geological composition of the terrain. Reds, greens, yellows… a real artist's palette!

The origins of the minerals can be traced back 5 million years, when there was a tremendous volcanic explosion and the minerals were scattered throughout the area. Over time, heat and water modified them, with the result we see now.

From Badwater Basin the entrance to the loop is 14 km away.

death valley artist palette

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6. Golden Canyon Trail

If you're visiting Death Valley in the summer, the Golden Canyon Trail is a great place to die; if you're visiting in cooler weather, it's a great place to hike . This is the most popular trail in Death Valley , leading up a canyon to the stunning Red Cathedral . We only did the first part, and after burning our ears from the waves of air/fire rushing through here, we sped back to the car. But we were left wanting more.

You have the option of reaching the Red Cathedral in 1.25 miles or taking a 4-mile loop.

Golden Canyon Trail

7. Zabriskie Point

This is a spectacular viewpoint, overlooking the incredible mountains, with their strange shapes and infinite colors. The parking lot is next to the main road, from there there is a short 5-minute climb up a paved road to the viewpoint. One of the best views of Death Valley , but not the best… read on.

viewpoint in death valley: Zabriskie

8. Dante's View

Boom! The view from this viewpoint , at 1669 meters high , over all of Death Valley is brutal! We can't describe it, just look at the photo. Oh, keep an eye out for the bees that haven't found a better place to live. When we went, it was full of them.

To get there you have to take a detour on a well-paved road for 13 miles , the last half mile is quite steep and the road zigzags, but it is not dangerous for the car (unless you come in a 1950 Mustang). We came with a Ford Fiesta, 4 people plus all the luggage and it held up like a bull, not only here but the whole trip.

Dante View lookout in Death Valley

More things to see in Death Valley

If you have time, check out these other ideas for things to see and do in Death Valley:

Twnety Mule Team Canyon: A loop course near Zabriskie Point.
Ubehebe Crater : a 722-meter diameter crater, north of the park.
Scotty's Castle : a castle built during the gold rush (they even came here to try their luck). It is located in the northern part. Check to see if it is open, because when we went it was closed.
Rhyolite was a thriving mining town in the early 20th century, but was abandoned in the 1920s following the collapse of the local mining industry. Today it is a ghost town .
Father Crowley Point : a place with spectacular views.

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Tips for visiting Death Valley

Here are some tips for visiting Death Valley (and not screwing it up):

Always check the official website for updates on the status of the park, access roads, weather forecasts , etc.
There are no rangers at the park entrance, although if you have to pay an entrance fee you can do so at an honesty box . We have the America of Beautiful annual pass so we didn't stop. We don't know if you can get a map and there is an information desk there or if you have to wait until the Furnace Creek Visitor Center , where we stopped.
There are two gas stations in the park , one in Panama Springs ( not too expensive ) and one in Furnace Creek where the information center is ( more expensive ). But there are several miles without gas stations before you get to the park , so make sure you fill up at the start of the day.
You can stop for lunch at a few places, like Panama Springs , where there is a store with A/C and a restaurant on the other side (the prices are not excessive). We had a picnic here at a small table outside (at 49 degrees in the shade) and we were eating our fill in 10 minutes.
There are bathrooms throughout the park , but we didn't see much water (and the one we did see was scalding hot). The best thing to do is buy a cooler (the medium-sized cloth one costs about $10 at Walmart, the white cork one is more expensive) and fill it with ice . Also buy small bottles of water to drink and exchange in the cooler. They recommend between 3 and 4 liters of water per person .
It goes without saying that you should cover yourself from your toes to your ears with sunscreen , wear a hat and not stay out of the car for long periods of time .
The road into Death Valley coming from the west is quite steep. If you notice that your car is getting hot, consider turning up the heat and turning off the air conditioning (even if only for the climb ). This also applies to the climb to Dante's View.
If the car overheats, do not turn off the engine, open the bonnet (be careful not to burn yourself) and pour water into the radiator area.
There are some areas that are not accessible for long vehicles (also be careful with the climbs if you are in a motorhome, they advise against going up to Dante's View).
Whether you have paid for this admission or have the America the Beautiful pass , you will need to display your ticket (or pass) in a visible location when you park your car in a parking lot.

road in death valley

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Where to sleep in Death Valley?

If you want to stay in the park, there are several options: camping , only in designated areas, or staying at one of Death Valley's few accommodations , such as The Inn at Death Valley , Stovepipe Wells Village, or Panamint Springs Motel & Tents.

Although the best thing, in our opinion, is to visit the park and if you have time, follow the route to Las Vegas (if you are heading east) or to Bakersfield (if your route is east).

We went to Las Vegas and spent a few days at The Linq (we loved it).

badwater basin in death valley

This concludes our guide to visiting Death Valley . It is certainly a unique place, full of amazing landscapes and natural challenges that will leave anyone with their mouths open. Do you dare to take this route? If you have any questions or need more details about your trip, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you plan your adventure in this fascinating desert.

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