Weekend In Death Valley Itinerary

Death Valley National Park is a dry desert wilderness that challenges nature itself. Known as the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States, Death Valley is an adventure for those seeking the extraordinary and something outside the average national park experience. I compiled all of my best tips and activities to help you plan a weekend in Death Valley itinerary so you can cross this park off your bucket list. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

Where is Death Valley National Park?

Death Valley National Park is located primarily in eastern California as part of the northern Mojave Desert, it does have a small extension into Nevada. The Death Valley visitor center is located in Furnace Creek and is a good place to start your visit.

Traveling from the Bay Area: approximately 8-hour drive
Traveling from Los Angeles: approximately 6-hour drive
Traveling from Las Vegas: approximately 2-hour drive

How to prepare for your Death Valley trip

Before embarking on your trip to Death Valley National Park, check the National Park Service website to ensure the park is open and there are no road closures. Sometimes there are storms that leave dangerous conditions in their wake and shut down the park’s ability to operate completely. 

Due to the extreme weather conditions, do not leave your pets unattended. Dogs are not allowed on trails or in the wilderness in Death Valley so this might be a trip that is best without your furry family members.

There is very minimal cell service inside the park and no wifi available so be prepared with plenty of fuel, food, and emergency supplies just in case. Death Valley is known as the hottest and driest place in North America so it is imperative to think ahead in case of an emergency.

Plan ahead with the AllTrails app, which lets you download your trail maps for offline use. You will need offline maps as there is barely any cell connection throughout the park and this is one park you do not want to be stranded in. Use my promo code: eagertraveler30, which offers you 30% off AllTrails+ (normally $35.99 a year)

There are a few places to fill your vehicle with gas while inside the park. I suggest stopping in Beatty or Pahrump before you enter the park so you are ready to explore when you arrive and don’t have to pause the adventure upon entering. Gas is also more expensive inside the park due to the difficulty and dangerous conditions associated with transport.

Furnace Creek: About .25 miles south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, and often the most expensive fuel location.

Stovepipe Wells Village: 51880 Highway 190, 51880 CA-190, Death Valley, CA 92328

Panamint Springs Resort: Due to a physical address being unavailable as they do not receive U.S. mail, use these coordinates for best navigation. LAT: 36°20’21.6″N LON: 117°28’07.3″W

When to visit Death Valley

The ideal time to visit Death Valley National Park is between January and April when the temperatures are more mild and it doesn’t get too hot during the day. If you plan to do any hiking while there, this is a crucial detail to remember when planning your trip as conditions can be unbearable during the summer. In March/April you could also be treated to fabulous display of wildflowers. I just returned on 3/22/24 and can confirm the wildflowers are blooming.

Travel Tip: No matter when you visit bring sunglasses, a hat, and a beanie, and dress in several layers as the temperatures in the desert can vary.

Wildflowers in Death Valley

Panamint Valley

Currently Panamint Valley is blooming, you’d have to drive about an hour in the opposite direction from Furnace Creek about an hour to Panamint Valley before you start seeing the yellow wildflowers. This is probably ideal if you’re going to Los Angeles.

Pahrump to Badwater Basin

If you approach from Vegas and end up coming to Badwater Basin first via Pahrump, you will see a spread of wildflowers on your way in on the right and left. On this route you’ll be passing Zabriskie Point and you’ll see quite a few wildflowers on your left as well up in the hills and off the pavement just before you reach Zabriskie.

Where to stay near Death Valley National Park

The most convenient place to stay when visiting Death Valley National Park is inside the park. This makes driving to the points of interest easier and requires fewer resources. While accommodations outside of the park may be less expensive, it’s worthwhile to keep in mind the travel time required to get to the sights you plan to see. This is especially important if you’re planning for sunrise or sunset hikes or specific photography shots.

Stovepipe Wells Hotel
The Oasis at Death Valley
The Ranch at Death Valley
Panamint Springs Resort

Other nearby cities for accommodations near Death Valley: Beatty is 45 minutes away from Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Shoshone is 1 hour away from Furnace Creek Visitor Center, and Pahrump is 1.5 hours away from Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

Book your Death Valley accommodations

Activities to enjoy at Death Valley National Park

Dante’s View
When visiting Death Valley National Park, Dante’s View is a must-see. You will be able to see the 11,000ft Telescope Peak to Badwater Basin at -282 feet. There are clear signs for the 13-mile road to Dante’s View. You do not need a vehicle with four-wheel drive to get here.

Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point has an easy-to-reach parking lot which makes for an easier adventure. Once you park here, take the short pathway to the top for spectacular views of the badlands. You will be able to walk amongst the canyons and gulches. To the northeast, you will see Manly Beacon and to the right of the beacon, you can see the cliffs of Red Cathedral. You do not need a vehicle with four-wheel drive to get here. 

Travel Tip: For the most beautiful views, plan to enjoy Zabriskie Point at sunrise. As the soft light washes over the peaks of the mountains, you can use the path on the right to hike into the canyons.

Artist’s Palette
Visiting Death Valley National Park means a drive through Artist’s Drive, a beautiful road that winds its way through an unbelievable area of multicolor eroded hills. The oxidation of natural metal deposits in the mountains produces varying shades of green, blue, and purple that resemble a colorful artist’s palette. This is also an area known for being the backdrop to some famous movies, like Star Wars. You do not need a vehicle with four-wheel drive to get here. If you visit an hour before sunrise, you have the opportunity to watch the changing light. You do not need a vehicle with four-wheel drive to get here.

Pro Tip: To get to this spot, there is a small parking lot with a sign. If full, you can park on the side of the road, but do so with caution and be aware of your surroundings to stay safe.

Badwater Basin
Standing in Badwater Basin you will be 282 feet below sea level where after heavy storms temporary lakes develop. Once the water evaporates only the salts remain. After thousands of years, enough salt has settled here at the bottom of the continent to create this vast, surreal scene. You do not need a vehicle with four-wheel drive to get here.

Travel Tip: As of 3/22/2024, Badwater Basin is flooded from the recent storms and the reflections here are absolutely stunning!

Best Death Valley Hiking Trails

Gower Gulch and Golden Canyon
This is a 5.8-mile loop via the Zabriskie Point that is best from November to April. If the sun is out, this hike can still get very hot so bring extra water. The hike is a fairly flat, trail if you’re starting from Zabriskie Point, and starts to climb closer to Golden Canyon. Gower Gulch passes several Borax mines, which should not be explored but only observed from afar as they are very unstable.

Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Close to Zabriskie Point is a 2.8-mile one-way dirt road you can drive through. You’ll drive through a series of canyons and badlands. Use one of the park’s pull-offs to park and explore the labyrinth of canyons and badlands in the area. Make sure you have an offline GPS or compass to navigate yourself once you’re in the badlands. The unique name comes from the twenty mule team wagons that brought Borax from Death Valley to the rail lines in the south. 

Darwin Falls
If you want a hike that is great for families, Darwin Falls is a great 2-mile roundtrip hike that is fairly easy but adventurous to keep kids of all ages engaged. Visualize crossing shallow running rivers, climbing over rocks, and ducking under tree limbs before arriving at a beautiful waterfall.

Natural Bridge Canyon Trail
4 miles south of the Artist’s Drive scenic loop road is the natural bridge formation. With an easy two-mile hike up the stream bed, you will arrive at the natural bridge.

Badwater Basin
If you want to hike to the other side of the basin toward the mountains, this 5-mile hike will get you there. Otherwise, you can instead follow the boardwalk to the edge of the salt bed for about 2 miles and wander around there for as long as you’d like. As of 3/22/2024, you can’t exactly walk around, unless you want to walk IN water as the basin is flooded. Wear water/rain shoes and have an extra pair to change into.

Mosaic Canyon Trail
Find yourself in the heart of Mosaic Canyon with this 2.6-mile out-and-back trail. After less than .25 miles on the trail, you’ll be surrounded by the smooth canyon walls. After a little over a mile into the hike, you’ll see the giant boulders, which is how you know it will be time to turn back.

Ibex Dunes Hike
To access the Ibex Dunes Hike, a vehicle with four-wheel drive is required. The dunes are steep so this is not a hike for beginners. At the end of the hike, you’ll reach the talc mines. The total hike is approximately 6 miles to complete.

Ubehebe Crater and Little Hebe Crater Trail
Ready to feel like you’re on a different planet? There are three trails to choose from in this area. The hike to the Ubehebe Crater is 1 mile, the hike around the crater is 3 miles and the hike to Little Hebe Crater is 2.2 miles. I felt like I was on Mars with this hike, it was such a unique trail.

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Weekend Travel Itinerary

Day 1

Begin your adventure with a visit to Zabriskie Point at sunrise. The colors here are spectacular and it’s a beautiful sight in the soft rising sun with views of the park’s eroded badlands, offering a different perspective of Death Valley’s dramatic landscape. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, it will warm up as the sun gets higher but in the shade, it will be chilly. You can also hike Gower Gulch right after as the entrance to the hike is below Zabriskie Point.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of the Visitor Center at Furnace Creek or pack a lunch for a scenic picnic spot within the park.

An hour before sunset, drive to Artist Palette which you can enjoy as a short hike or drive through the one-way loop and take in the gorgeous colors right after the sun sets.

Settle in for the evening with a delicious meal at the Inn at Furnace Creek or the Furnace Creek Ranch, both of which offer dining options within the park.

Day 2

Start your day bright and early with a hearty breakfast because you will be active and on the go today.

Choose a hiking trail like Golden Canyon, Mosaic Canyon, or Desolation Canyon to experience the diverse geology and unique landscapes that only Death Valley can provide. Make sure you download offline trail maps at Alltrails. Use my discount code eagertraveler30 to get 30% off AllTrails+ (which is normally $35.99 a year).

Enjoy a packed lunch during your hike or head back to your accommodation for a light bite.

Visit the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, a highlight of Death Valley. You can walk or hike among the iconic dunes and capture the stunning vistas, especially in the softer afternoon light. Use AllTrails to guide you, it’s easy to get lost amongst the dunes and you may have difficulty finding your way back to the car.

For sunset, drive over to Badwater Basin. As of 3/22/24, If you drive from Pahrump to Badwater Basin you’ll see a ton of wildflowers along the way.

Wind down with dinner at one of the nearby restaurants, like Toll Road Restaurant in Stovepipe Wells for a taste of the old west.

Day 3

Enjoy a leisurely morning, set out on a final hike, or a visit to any of the park’s attractions you haven’t seen yet.

Have a relaxing lunch at Badwater Saloon. With a pool table in the back, wood paneling, and a stone fireplace, the atmosphere is unique and true to the Wild Wild West.

For additional options of all dining inside Death Valley, visit this list compiled by National Park Service.