This article lists our top 5 things to do in Death Valley National Park.
1. Catch a Sunrise or Sunset
There really isn’t a bad place to see a sunrise or sunset, but our favorite is Zabriskie Point. It’s a short 10 minute drive from the Furnace Creek area and only a 30 to 40 minute drive from Stovepipe Wells. Arrive 30 minutes before the published sunset to get the full effect of the changing colors in the rocks as the sun recedes behind the mountains.
2. Take a Hike
There are several hikes in the park that are rated easy to moderate and will only take about half a day to complete. Check out our article below for more details about these hikes.
5 Popular Easy to Moderate Hikes in Death Valley National Park
3. Walk Amongst the Sand Dunes
As listed in the popular hikes section, hiking to the tallest dune is a goal of many visitors, but just wandering through the dune field at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is also amazing and less strenuous. Head to the eastern section, away from the tallest dunes for less people and less foot prints in the sand.
4. Take a Scenic Drive
Badwater Road Drive and Artists Palette Drive
Drive south on Badwater Road until you reach the left turn onto Artists Palette Drive. Follow this 9 mile (14.5 km) drive taking in the landscape and stopping at Artists Palette view point for pictures. Once the loop is completed continue heading south and look for the Devils Golf Course on your right where rock salt eroded by wind and rain forms a serrated landscape on which only the devil could play golf. Now continue south until you reach Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. The surreal landscape of the wide open salt flats with the mountains off in the distance is amazing.
20 Mule Team Canyon Drive
The 20 Mule Team Canyon Drive is a 2.5 mile (4 km) one-way road through the badlands of Death Valley. The road is not paved, but well maintained and is usually fine for most cars.
Ubehebe Crater Drive
The drive to Ubehebe Crater is about 46 miles (74 km) and takes about 1 hour from Stovepipe Wells and is slightly longer from Furnace Creek. From highway 190 take Scotty’s Castle Road, also called North Highway, north. When you reach the Grapevine Ranger Station turn left onto Ubehebe Crater Road and proceed until you reach the parking lot for the crater.
5. Enjoy the Night Sky
There are so many amazing places in Death Valley National Park to enjoy the night sky. Some of our favorites are the Devils Golf Course, the salt flats at Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the Harmony Borax Works.
