Planning a trip to Death Valley?
Doing a bit of research will help you find the best prices, the best weather, and the smallest crowds at all of Death Valley’s must-see attractions.
But luckily, you’ve stumbled upon this article, where you’ll find all the answers.
Despite its ominous name, Death Valley is full of flora and fauna, and it also boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery around.
But let’s not waste any time chatting!
Death Valley: entrance, best time to go, and tips for visiting this barren land at its best
Where is the entrance to Death Valley?
There isn’t just one entrance to Death Valley, but there are three main entrances that most people use:
- the first is entering from Highway 395 at Lone Pine;
- the second is taking Panamint Valley Road up from Ridgecrest;
- the third enters the park from the east via Death Valley Junction.
In addition, there are two less popular but scenic routes. The first follows a low, fully paved road along Badwater Basin heading south, passing Mormon Point and the ruins of Ashford Mill, and arriving in Shoshone. The other takes the narrow high road of Immigrant Canyon Road, which crosses a 1,600-meter pass.
In Immigrant Canyon, you can follow a side track to reach the Charcoal Kilns site, but you’ll need four-wheel drive and good clearance to do so. There is also a short stretch of dirt road in Immigrant Canyon, but most cars and vans can handle it.
Read also: Documents for traveling to Jordan: everything you need to know before you leave
Best time to visit Death Valley? Month-by-month guide
Winter (December, January, and February)
The winter months offer the best chance to see the park with moderate temperatures. Average highs during these winter months range from 18 to 23°C, while average lows range from 3 to 8°C.
Winter daytime temperatures are mild at lower elevations, with cool nights that rarely drop to freezing. Higher elevations are cooler than the low valley floor.
The period after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, on the other hand, is the least crowded time of the year. Finally, if you’re lucky, you may be able to catch the start of wildflower season in mid-February, but bloom timing and intensity vary from year to year.
Spring (March, April, May)
Spring brings more manageable temperatures and even a few clouds. Windy conditions are common in the desert, especially during these months. Average highs range from 27 to 38°C, while average lows are 13 to 23°C.
March through mid-April are the ideal months to visit the park, but from late April into May, the days start getting veeeeery hot.
Spring is also wildflower season, which generally runs from mid-February to mid-April. Only under perfect conditions does the desert fill with a sea of golden, purple, pink, or white flowers.
Superblooms tend to happen on average once a decade; keep in mind that the most recent superbloom years were 2016, 2005, and 1998.
Summer (June, July, August)
Death Valley’s average high temperatures in the summer months range from 43 to 46°C, while average lows are 27–30°C (yes, lows!).
Note that the months when temperatures frequently exceed these levels run from May through September, not just the traditional summer months. Most visitors to Death Valley in summer choose to explore by car.
The main points of interest remain open, but it is strongly recommended to stay on paved roads and remain close to your vehicle.
Autumn (September, October, November)
While the end of summer means many vacation destinations begin to slow down, for Death Valley it’s exactly the opposite. Early October marks the beginning of Death Valley’s high season, which continues through April.
During the autumn months, average highs range from 41 to 25°C, while average lows range from 24 to 9°C.
These ranges vary significantly because September and October are still very hot in Death Valley, so if you’re looking for cooler temperatures, November is the best month for you.
So, to sum it up…
| Winter | 18-23°C | 3-8°C |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 27-38°C | 13-23°C |
| Summer | 43-46°C | 27-30°C |
| Autumn | 42-25°C | 24-9°C |
The time of day you go matters too
If you can, plan to stay at least one night (that’s what we do to get a head start on the route).
On the one hand, the park is roughly the size of Connecticut (so, it’s big), and the attractions inside it are spread far apart. The other benefit of staying overnight is experiencing just how beautiful the desert becomes when the sun and heat ease off.
The best hikes are done at sunrise and sunset, when the yellow and golden earth seems to glow at Zabriskie Point, and you can walk along the razor-thin ridgeline that forms atop each sand dune where light and shadow meet. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunset are also an unforgettable sight: as the stars slowly take over the night sky, the amber desert landscape transforms into a lunar terrain.
While you’re here, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the magnificent night sky. Death Valley is a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, the highest designation awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association, which means that besides being one of the hottest places on Earth, it’s also one of the darkest. The vast open skies and lack of light pollution make it prime territory for stargazing (it even has its own Dark Sky Festival).
And if you think places like Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or Badwater Basin feel otherworldly by day, just wait until you see them under the light of a full moon.
Read also: “For Easter Monday I’m going to…” Forget the usual trips. Choose: Namibia or Sri Lanka?
What to bring to Death Valley: here are some final tips
- No matter what time of year you visit Death Valley National Park, always bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Even in the winter months, the sun is still strong, and getting sunburned is never fun.
- We recommend bringing all the food you’ll need for every meal during your stay in the park, because there are no restaurants in Death Valley. You’ll also save money, since local grocery stores outside the park usually have higher prices.
- You’ll definitely want to pack plenty of layers, such as warm socks, windbreakers, and beanies—dress in layers is the rule here. The winter months are cold (you saw the temperature swings!), and it’s always better to have layers you can take off than not enough to keep warm.
- We recommend bringing hiking shoes with good traction, so you can walk comfortably and avoid slipping on the trails.
- Water, water, water. Death Valley is extremely dry, and your body will feel it, especially if you do a lot of hiking during the day. Bring large water bottles and make sure to stay as hydrated as possible throughout the day.
Conclusions
In this article, we’ve seen how to visit Death Valley. But hey, did you know that here at Sto Gran Tour we’ve put together an amazing fourteen-day road trip?!
And no, it doesn’t include only Death Valley: after the stop in Los Angeles, that’s where our road trip through the Great Parks begins: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, and then Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park; and to finish, Las Vegas. Boom.
