National Park
Death Valley National Park
- West
- 7 hikes
- 17 places to see
- 2 current alerts
Current alerts
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Closure
Some Roads Closed due to Flood Damage
A storm on 10/22 caused flooding in several areas of the park, which washed debris across roads.
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Notice
Gas Pumps at Panamint Springs Resort are Closed at Night
Gasoline is available at Panamint Springs Resort from 7am-9:30pm, daily. Gas is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells 24hrs.
From the National Park Service, as of October 29, 2026, 5:15 am. Check nps.gov before you go.
About Death Valley
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- West
- States
- California and Nevada
- Designation
- National Park
- Entrance fee
- $30, private vehicle
- Hikes on this page
- 7
- Places to see
- 17
- Articles
- 3
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Death Valley.
Entrance fees
- $30 Private Vehicle All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many ti…
- $25 Motorcycle
- $15 Per Person
- $15 Non-commercial Groups
- Free Education/Academic Groups
Passes
- $55 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
The park is open daily all year.
Weather and when to go
SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.
Getting there
There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.
- Gateway towns
- Furnace Creek, CA · Beatty, NV · Pahrump, NV
- Nearest airports
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Contact the park
- Address
- PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328
- Phone
- (760) 786-3200
- Official site
- nps.gov/deva
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Death Valley
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Where to stay for Death Valley
The gateway towns, closest first. Add your dates in the planner to search for your own nights.
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Furnace Creek, CA Closest
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Beatty, NV
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Pahrump, NV
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Guided tours and trips
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Things to do in Death Valley
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Explore Wildflowers in Death Valley
Learn about the different flowers you might be able to see in Death Valley during spring months.
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Visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Stop by the visitor center to speak with park rangers and pay park fees and purchase national park passes. View the exhibits about Death Valley's history and natural wonders. Watc…
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Bird Watching
Roadrunners and ravens and hummingbirds- oh my! With many resident and migratory species, bird watching opportunities abound in Death Valley.
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Harmony Borax Works Self Guided Walk
Harmony Borax Works was instrumental in drawing people to Death Valley in the late 1800s and in the subsequent popularity of the Furnace Creek area. The 1/4 mi (0.4 km) paved walk…
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Tour Artists Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive through a geologic rainbow! Artists Drive is a one-way, nine mile (14.5 km) drive which passes through eroded, colorful desert hills. Artists Palette (a viewp…
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Drive Twenty Mule Team Canyon
A short scenic drive along an unpaved road through colorful badlands.
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Experience Death Valley at Night
Death Valley is just as spectacular at night as it is during the day- learn about a few ways you can explore the park after dark.
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Running in Death Valley
Go for a run in Death Valley! The park can be a very interesting and challenging place to test your road running or trail running abilities. Over 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roa…
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Day Hiking
Looking for somewhere to hike in Death Valley? The park has interpretive trails, hiking trails, and unofficial hiking routes, and is open to cross-country travel by foot in most p…
Places to see
Viewpoints
History & culture
Campgrounds in Death Valley
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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Wildrose Campground
***No Potable Water Available in the Wildrose Area. Closest available water ~31 miles north at Stovepipe Wells, CA. First-come, first-served campground with no…
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Furnace Creek Campground
Furnace Creek Campground, near the Visitor Center at 190ft below sea level, is the only NPS campground in the park that accepts reservations. It offers full RV…
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Emigrant Campground
The campground, water system, and restrooms at Emigrant have been closed since late August 2025 due to flood damage. The damage to the 5-mile-long water pipe a…
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Sunset Campground
***Scheduled to open mid to late November 2026. Check our Alerts and Conditions page for up-to-date information. Open seasonally, typically late fall through m…
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Texas Springs Campground
***Scheduled to open mid to late November 2026. Check our Alerts and Conditions page for up-to-date information. Typically open seasonally, late fall through m…
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Stovepipe Wells Campground
***Scheduled to open late October 2026. Check our Alerts and Conditions page for up-to-date information. Open seasonally, typically late fall through mid-to-la…
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Mesquite Spring Campground
First-come, first-served campground at an elevation of 1,800 feet, located 2 miles off of the Scotty’s Castle Road below Grapevine Canyon. It is a great base c…
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Thorndike Campground (Primitive)
***No Potable Water Available in the Wildrose Area. Closest available water ~38 miles north at Stovepipe Wells, CA. First-come, first-served primitive, foreste…
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Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive)
***No Potable Water Available in the Wildrose Area. Closest available water ~39 miles north at Stovepipe Wells, CA. First-come, first-served primitive campgrou…
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Eureka Dunes Campground (Primitive)
Remote campground at the base of Eureka Dunes (the tallest sand dunes in California and home to several endemic plant species). This campground is located at 2…
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Homestake Campground (Primitive)
Extremely remote campsite at 3,785ft of elevation, accessible only by high-clearance vehicles with all-terrain tires. Access from Saline Valley Road requires n…
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Saline Valley Campground (Primitive)
This is a clothing-optional hot spring area approximately 35 miles from the nearest paved road. A high-clearance vehicle and all-terrain tires are necessary to…
What to pack for Death Valley
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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