National Park Guide

Death Valley National Park

California, US

The hottest, driest, and lowest national park in North America reveals a stark landscape of extremes and surprising beauty.

3,408,407

Acres

Trails

1994

Established

1.1 million

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

October - April (best)

Entrance Fee

$30 per vehicle

Nearest Airport

Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), 2 hours

Best Months

November, February, March

Highlights

Badwater Basin
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Zabriskie Point
Artist's Palette
Dante's View

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Death Valley National Park

Golden Canyon Trail

Moderate

3.0 miles round trip

400 ft gain

Badwater Salt Flats Trail

Easy

2.0 miles round trip

0 ft gain

Telescope Peak Trail

Strenuous

14.0 miles round trip

3,000 ft gain

Mosaic Canyon Trail

Moderate

4.0 miles round trip

950 ft gain

Natural Bridge Trail

Easy

2.0 miles round trip

350 ft gain

About Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, straddling the California-Nevada border, is a land of superlatives: the hottest recorded temperature on Earth, the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin, and some of the most dramatic desert scenery anywhere. From colorful badlands and sand dunes to snow-capped peaks and mysterious moving rocks, the park spans over 3.4 million acres of stunning contrasts.

In-Depth Guide

Death Valley Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Death Valley National Park. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for California and Nevada's extreme desert landscape.

12 min read

Weather Overview

Average monthly temperatures

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Hotels

3 options near Death Valley National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

Where to Stay

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The Inn at Death Valley - Inside the Park

$$$$

Historic four-diamond resort at the Oasis at Death Valley featuring 66 rooms and 22 casitas, a spring-fed pool, spa, and 18-hole golf course in a desert oasis setting.

Inside park$400-700/night

Check on Hotels.com

The Ranch at Death Valley - Inside the Park

$$$

Family-friendly 275-room resort inside Death Valley with three restaurants, two bars, a large pool, and easy access to the visitor center and Zabriskie Point.

Inside park$200-400/night

Check on Hotels.com

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel - Inside the Park

Rustic 83-room hotel with Old West charm inside Death Valley, featuring a pool, restaurant, and bar, just minutes from Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Inside park$150-280/night

Check on Hotels.com

Compare Death Valley National Park

See how Death Valley National Park stacks up against other national parks

Death Valley National Park vs White Sands National Park

Choose Death Valley for vast geological diversity and extreme superlatives. Choose White Sands for a surreal, otherworldly dune experience that is easier to visit and more family-friendly.

See full comparison

Death Valley National Park vs Joshua Tree National Park

Choose Death Valley for extreme landscapes, geological variety, and remote desert adventure. Choose Joshua Tree for accessible desert camping, rock climbing, and a quick escape from Los Angeles.

See full comparison