If you are considering 24 hours in Death Valley, you should know it is possible. While it will be a day with a lot of time in the car, you can see the major sights of the national park and make it back to the Bakersfield, Las Vegas, or Los Angeles areas within one day. Use this Death Valley visitor guide to plan your quick trip to this amazing national park.
While Death Valley is one of the largest U.S. National Parks by land area, if you’re short on time you can visit the biggest highlights in just one day. If you are spending two days in Death Valley, you’ll be able to squeeze in more relaxation time and sights such as the Ubehebe Crater and Dante’s View. Nonetheless, the most iconic sights can be seen in just a few hours once you’re in the park. Here I’ve put together a Death Valley one day itinerary, as well as included other helpful planning info.
What is Death Valley known for?
Death Valley National Park is renowned for its status as the lowest point on the entire North American continent, plummeting to 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. Its scorching temperatures make it a contender for one of the hottest spots on the globe.
Beyond its extreme climate, Death Valley boasts another distinction: it claims the title of the largest U.S. National Park outside Alaska, spanning over 3.3 million acres or 13.6 square kilometers. Originally designated as a national monument in 1933, it attained official national park status in October 1994.
Is one day enough for Death Valley?
Yes, it can be done. It is definitely worth visiting even if just for a day. Death Valley National Park’s extreme landscapes showcase stunning salt flats, colorful canyons, and the lowest point in North America: Badwater Basin. The vastness and diversity of its terrain make it a popular stop on a big road trip. That said, many people visit in a quick, zippy trip out and back from home in southern California or Nevada. One day is enough to see the major sights, although it will be a bit rushed.
In sum, Death Valley’s raw beauty and otherworldly views make it an unparalleled destination for those seeking adventure. You will have to skip a few things given the size of the park, but it’s better to see parts of it than forgo it altogether in my opinion.
When to Visit Death Valley National Park
Extreme temperatures are a known characteristic of this area of California. While the park is especially regarded for its hot temperatures, it is important to be mindful of the low temperatures as well. Winter temperatures can fall below freezing overnight. During the summer, it is not unusual for temperatures to reach over 120°F (49°C).
The hottest world record air temperature was recorded at Furnace Creek in 1913, reaching 134.1°F (56.7°C). That same year, the park’s coldest recorded air temperature dipped down to 15°F (-10°C), really highlighting the extremes that can occur in the park even within the same year.
If you are wondering when to visit Death Valley, February and March are the most comfortable times of the year due to the temperatures. During this period, temperatures range from 46 to 82° F on average. October and November offer another two-month period of good average temperatures ranging from 48 to 93°F. December is also a reasonable time to go, however temperatures overnight can be too cold for most tent campers.
Visiting Death Valley from California
Death Valley National Park is a popular visit from many southern California cities and luckily directions to Death Valley are pretty simple.
The park can be reached within roughly 4 hours from central Los Angeles. If you are leaving from Santa Barbara, the route should take about 5.5 hours driving and from San Diego the drive takes 6.5 hours.
From the southern route into the park, you have the option of taking Highway 395, Highway 127, or Highway 178. If you choose to take Highway 178, watch for burros! They’re known to frequent this area. Burros are much like a donkey, however donkeys are domesticated while burros are not. If you miss seeing them, you can still probably spot their droppings along the side of the road.
For northern California visitors, it takes about 6 hours to get to Death Valley National Park from Fresno or 3 hours from Bishop, east of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Visiting Death Valley from Nevada
While the majority of the Death Valley park is in California, a small portion is in Nevada, making it one of the few national parks that straddles two state lines. The fastest route from Las Vegas will take about 3.5 hours without stops. This follows Highway 95 out of the northwest side of Las Vegas. An alternative route is along NV-160 through the southwest of Las Vegas. This route will take about 4 hours, although it is actually a few miles shorter in distance.
Whether you visit from Nevada or California, the best way to visit Death Valley is with a private or rented car. You do not need four-wheel drive or an SUV/truck for the one-day itinerary route. If you plan to go deeper into the park over a longer course of time, you may want to consider a vehicle with four-wheel drive for the dirt roads.
Entrance Stations and Admission Fees
Admission into Death Valley National Park is $30 per vehicle (as of 2024). The annual national park pass costs $80 and gives you access to an unlimited number of parks for one year. If you plan to visit at least three national parks this year, the annual pass is a better value. The year starts during the month the pass is activated, making it good for a full 365 days as opposed to a calendar year. Active duty and retired military members and their families can enter for free.
Unlike many other national parks, there is not a specific entrance station. To pay the fee, you’ll need to stop at one of the indicated pay stations where park rangers will give you a color coded slip of paper to display on your windshield to indicate you paid your entrance fee.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Furnace Creek is the main hub of Death Valley. The primary visitor center is here where you can buy souvenirs, grab snacks, or refill water bottles.
The Furnace Creek Visitor Center provides tons of resources, including maps, exhibits, and knowledgeable staff offering guidance on park highlights, safety measures, and current conditions. Visitors can learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, history, and points of interest through interactive displays and educational materials. This is also where you can find an established digital sign that displays the current temperature, which is a popular spot for pictures on hot days especially.
There is also a gas station here, though it will cost $1-2 more than a usual gallon in eastern California. In other words, it is pricey.
What to See in Death Valley in One Day
Driving across Death Valley will bring you to many key sights. Here is a Death Valley one day itinerary. I’ve picked the absolute must see sights of Death Valley and ordered them for efficiency. Each of these can be found along the drive in the order they are listed, starting from the south of the park and driving north. Of course, you could also do them in the reverse order if you arrive from the north.
1. Badwater Basin
One day in Death Valley National Park must include Badwater Basin. Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation point in North America. This is perhaps the most important stop in Death Valley as it takes you to the actual lowest point, one of the major draws of Death Valley National Park.
At this stop, you’ll find a relatively short flat walk out onto the salt flats where you’ll see the iconic salt polygons. Be sure to look up at the mountainside near the parking lot here in order to see the “sea level” sign to give you a sense of how low you really are. There are numerous displays here to give you more geologic and historic information about this location.
2. Devil’s Golf Course
Devil’s golf course earned its creative name due to the strange formations of sharp rocks. In fact, the area’s name stems from a 1934 National Park Service guide who quipped that only the devil could play golf on such rough terrain. These rocks are actually salt that become some misshapen due to the contraction and expansion of water as the extreme temperatures fluctuate.
You’ll need to take a short dirt road to get here off of Badwater Road. The dirt road is flat though and sedans without four-wheel drive can easily take the journey. There are no restrooms at this stop.
3. Artist Drive
Named for its colorful palette, this is another major highlight of the park. This one way road begins on Badwater Road, less than 10 minutes after Devil’s Golf Course. There are a few pull offs for photo opportunities along this brief detour from the main road. There are also several bathrooms along the way. Large trailers cannot take this road as it becomes narrow in some areas, in addition to having some sharp turns.
After Artist’s Drive, you’ll arrive at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in about 10 minutes. Stop here for the exhibit, snacks, water, or souvenirs. If you feel you have extra time in your schedule, you could add the Mustard Canyon and Harmony Borax Works stop after the visitor center. This optional stop has a dirt road that winds through yellowish hills. It also features a model of the Borax mining cart that used to be common in Death Valley prior to becoming a protected park.
Artist Drive is my favorite part of Death Valley. It is a can’t miss sight in Death Valley National Park in my opinion.
4. Mesquite Sand Dunes
Finally, a Death Valley itinerary is incomplete without a visit to the dunes. This is the last must-see stop on this quick one-day itinerary. While a bit further away, the Mesquite Sand Dunes are worth the drive. Starting at the paved parking lot, there is a main trail to take you out to the expanse of sand dunes. However, one of the great things about the sand dunes is that you are allowed to wander and explore.
Since wind is constantly changing the shapes and positions of the dunes, it would be nearly impossible to construct and maintain a designated trail. A popular thing to do here is to make your way to the tallest dune and climb up.
Another fun thing to do here is to sled down the dunes. If you are visiting Death Valley with kids, this is a perfect thing to do. While kids especially love it, adults usually jump in on the fun too. There are no sleds for rent though so you are responsible for bringing your own. There are several bathrooms at this stop.
Where to Stay at Death Valley
If you need an overnight, there are several hotels either within the park or nearby. The most striking hotel is The Inn at Death Valley, located off of Badwater Road and Highway 190. This hotel is the nicest in the area and will run you about $150-500 a night depending on the season and day of the week. A slightly cheaper option still within the park is The Ranch at Death Valley, excellently located near Furnace Creek.
Located on the western edge of the park is Panamint Springs Resort which offers motel rooms, newer cabins, and minimalist glamping style tents. The prices on these range from $60-300 a night as of March 2023.
Camping in Death Valley
If you intend to camp in Death Valley, there are lots of options for you. The largest campground in Death Valley National Park is Furnace Creek Campground. It is a developed campground with 136 sites. This is the only campground in the park that accepts reservations. There are 18 sites with full RV hook ups in Furnace Creek, but they are usually booked 6 months in advance.
There is also the primitive Sunset Campground. With 230 sites, this campground rarely fills. However, not all sites have picnic tables nor fire grates. In addition, this campground lacks privacy, as there is no tall brush. It is located near the main road at Furnace Creek.
Related: How to Leave No Trace
Where to Next? Things Nearby Death Valley
There are many things to see on your way to and from Death Valley National Park. Many people stop by the historic site of Manzanar, one of ten concentration camps in the United States used during World War II to unconstitutionally detain Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans under surveillance. It is located about an hour northwest of the western park boundary on Highway 395, near the town of Lone Pine and Alabama Hills.
If you have a long drive back to or from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, or San Diego, you might also consider breaking the drive up by camping at Red Rock Canyon State Park. If you’re not camping, this is also a great spot to stretch your legs as the scenery is striking and beautiful.
In sum, Death Valley in a day will be a whirlwind experience with a lot of time in the car, but the views are worth the drive. It is truly a unique environment and an extreme place to visit during certain times of the year. Planning well will ensure you have a great, safe visit.
Death Valley Map: Tops Sights for One Day
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