Death Valley Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Death Valley
Death Valley showing desert views, tranquil scenes and signage
Death Valley
Death Valley featuring tranquil scenes and heritage architecture
Death Valley showing signage and tranquil scenes

Death Valley Travel Guide Video

Discover the geological wonders of North America’s hottest and lowest national park, packed with raw, wild and untouched landscapes ripe for exploring.

In Death Valley National Park the temperatures can soar to a blistering 120 F (49 C) and the lowest point is marked at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. With about 3.4 million acres (14,000 square kilometers) of wilderness, this is the largest American national park outside Alaska. Venture into the park’s interior to experience some of the most mesmerizing landscapes on the planet. Drive, hike or cycle past rolling sand dunes, jagged canyons, rocky deserts, delicate oases and fields of wildflowers.

Begin at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to learn about the park, explore the small museum and plan your adventures. Drive to Devil’s Golf Course, a wide expanse of rock salt carved by wind into sharp spires, before continuing on to Badwater Basin, a bizarre terrain of salt flats marking the park’s lowest point. Continue your tour along the scenic Artists Drive, a 9-mile (14-kilometer) loop weaving through pink and gold hills.

Stop at Death Valley’s most famous viewpoint, Zabriskie Point. Be amazed by the surreal landscape stretching before you. Arrive at dawn or sunset to witness a fantasy-like swirl of colors and shadows. Zabriskie Point is also the starting point for the Badlands Loop, a popular hiking trail. Stop at Dante’s View, 5,475 feet (1,669 meters) high, which offers panoramic vistas across the Badwater Basin.

Experience the human side of Death Valley at the Harmony Borax Works, a long-abandoned town that once hosted a flourishing borax mining community. Learn more about the park’s original inhabitants and the Timbisha Shoshone American Indian tribe members who still inhabit the region.

Visiting Death Valley needs pre-planning. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is the best starting point. There is a weekly fee to enter the park. The fantastical land that is Death Valley National Park receives some of the sun’s most blistering rays. Carry plenty of water and sunscreen when exploring.

The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park

The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park

2.5 out of 5
Highway 190, Death Valley, CA
The price is NZ$204 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$204
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf resort in Death Valley. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and a golf course. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,879 reviews)
Nice place to stay
"Gave me an upgrade but the room had a terrible smell but they were able to move me to another room"

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park
Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel - Inside The Park

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel - Inside The Park

3 out of 5
51880 California 190, Death Valley, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$253 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
NZ$253
31 July - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Death Valley. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Borax Museum and Mosaic Canyon are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (106 reviews)
"Limited options in the area but pleased that this business made the effort to provide very good accommodation, spacious and great a/c which is so imploring here."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel - Inside The Park
The Inn at Death Valley – Inside the Park

The Inn at Death Valley – Inside the Park

4 out of 5
Highway 190, Death Valley, CA
The price is NZ$474 per night from 21 July to 22 July
NZ$474
21 July - 22 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Death Valley. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Our stay at The Inn at Death Valley was nothing short of incredible. Despite the intense heat (it reached 46°C / 115°F during our visit!), the hotel remained beautifully cool and comfortable throughout — a true oasis in the desert. The spring-fed pool was an absolute highlight. Surrounded by palm ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

The Inn at Death Valley – Inside the Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pool House w/Billiards/HotTub@ Winery near DVNP

Pool House w/Billiards/HotTub@ Winery near DVNP

Pahrump
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Pahrump. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Pahrump Valley Winery and Artesian ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
Wonderful stay
"Paula was an amazing host. She made sure all of our needs were meet and even made us a delicious breakfast. She went above and beyond. The pool house was perfect for our week long visit. We enjoyed our stay and my 9 year old daughter loved the pool. We will definitely be back!"

Reviewed on 12 Jul. 2025

Pool House w/Billiards/HotTub@ Winery near DVNP
Pahrump Vacation Rental Apartment!

Pahrump Vacation Rental Apartment!

3 out of 5
Pahrump
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Pahrump. Enjoy free parking, patios, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Pahrump Nugget Casino and Pahrump Valley Museum ...
"Great place very well kept up! The only thing that was slightly irritating was being asked to strip the beds at the end of our stay. Otherwise this was a fantastic stay."

Reviewed on 13 Nov. 2023

Pahrump Vacation Rental Apartment!
Sun Cindy's House Pahrump

Sun Cindy's House Pahrump

Pahrump
Stay at this vacation home in Pahrump. Enjoy free WiFi and air conditioning. Popular attractions Stage Stop Casino and Pahrump Valley Museum are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (31 reviews)
Nice
"Good place."

Reviewed on 13 May 2025

Sun Cindy's House Pahrump
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Death Valley

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Were there only overnight so limited time to see anything

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Loved Death Valley. Its rugged and has a unique beauty about it.

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