A Death Valley National Park Itinerary for One Full Day

I’ll admit I didn’t have high expectations when we were planning our Death Valley National Park itinerary. The park is a desert, obviously, which means dry landscapes and hot temperatures.

As a delicate flower myself, I have a small window of temperatures at which I feel my best, so we planned our visit during the winter months and went on our way.

What we discovered once we got there was more than a pleasant surprise. The park is astonishing and otherworldly and will toughen you up with just one visit.

I’m glad we had a full weekend to explore it, but I know that’s not always possible if you want to see as much as you can on a longer road trip.

Everything I’ll include in this guide is from our trip to Death Valley, with extra ideas if you have more time as we did.

Is Death Valley National Park worth visiting?

Death Valley is worth visiting for its striking landscapes and the surreal experience it offers. The park’s geological features include Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America.

Despite its harsh name, Death Valley is compelling. Maybe it’s the name that makes it more compelling. I know it gave me pause as we were packing up our water supply for our trip.

Fun fact: This is one of the hottest places on Earth. Death Valley still boasts the hottest air temperature ever recorded at 134.1 degrees on July 10, 1913, despite some controversy over measurement methods from that time period.

You can see Death Valley in one day.

You can experience Death Valley in a day by focusing on the highlights in the park. A full day will give you enough time to pick a hike or two to see the park on foot if you’re able.

If you’re here for a scenic drive, the park’s panoramas aren’t too shabby. Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View are both stunning.

How to Get to Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is a drive no matter where you’re flying into. The closest airport to Death Valley is McCarran International Airport outside of Las Vegas, and it’s still two hours from there.

Depending on traffic, it’ll take you at least five hours to get to Death Valley from Los Angeles, six hours from San Diego, and eight hours from San Francisco.

READ MORE: Planning Nevada travel? I love Reno over Las Vegas. Check out why.

Getting Around Death Valley National Park

Unless you’re going on an organized tour, you’ll need a car to explore Death Valley National Park.

Most visitors use private vehicles to navigate the park as the roads to the major attractions are well-maintained. I’ll note where you might encounter unpaved roads, but if you’re adventurous, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

I don’t want to freak you out, but you’re in the desert here. Arrive with a full tank of gas and carry plenty of water. You don’t want to get stuck out here, even in your car.

You should take precautions against overheating, especially if you’re blasting the air conditioning inside. If you’re here in the summer, don’t leave the park’s paved roads and stick with your car until you’re able to call for help.

Las Vegas is the most likely base if you’re interested in a guided experience. Check out the options below for tours if you’re going that route:

What to Do and See in Death Valley National Park

This guide assumes you’re coming from Furnace Creek. You’ll be traveling south from there if you go about things as we did. If you’re already coming from the south, adjust these points to make better sense of your day.

I’ll include tips on whether there is a certain time of day that’s best to see these Death Valley scenic spots and hikes.

Stop 1: Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is most magical at sunrise and sunset. If you’re able to make that happen, I’d highly recommend it. If not, you’ll still have a good time.

Many visitors consider this to be the most beautiful spot in Death Valley. It’s certainly the most famous viewpoint in the park, and it’s easy to see why. This is where you’ll see the badlands set against the Panamint Range.

Zabriskie Point is accessible to most travelers, as it’s just a short walk up a paved path to the main viewpoint. From there, you’ll be able to look out onto an unexpected landscape of colors among the cliffs and dips.

Note: For an off-roading adventure, you can continue east from here to Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a 2.5-mile adventure through the hills. Most vehicles should be able to handle it, but check on any park service updates the day of your trip for potential closures.

Stop 2: Badlands Loop

If you’re looking for a leg-stretcher after taking in the vistas at Zabriskie Point, the Badlands Loop starts there. This one takes you on an immersive experience into what lies just beneath.

The hike is about 2.7 miles down a gully into the colorful badlands and ancient riverbeds. It’s rated as moderate by the park service.

While the elevation gain isn’t that aggressive at 535 feet over the course of the hike, there are a few spots with steep drop-offs on either side.

You’ll reach a junction at one point where you can connect to the Golden Canyon, so pay attention to trail signage as you hike along.

If you continue along the loop, you’ll hit the Gower Gulch Loop, an impressive wash, before making the ascent back up to Zabriskie Point.

Optional Stop 3: Golden Canyon Trail

Another option to get up close and personal with the valley is the Golden Canyon Trail, a popular hike thanks to the diversity it offers over a relatively short distance.

If you’re not connecting to the Golden Canyon hike on the Badlands Loop described above, this trailhead has its own lot.

The hike is about three miles out and back if you head to the base of the Red Cathedral, a striking rock formation that is indeed quite red.

There’s some scrambling involved at the very end if you’re looking for better views once you’re there. Don’t attempt crawling up any slopes unless you’re well-prepared with the appropriate footwear.

This one is rated as moderate by the National Park Service for the steady uphill climb you’re on for the majority of your trek through the canyon.

Apparently, some of the original Star Wars movies were filmed here, too, if you’re into that. Death Valley looks just like Tatooine, so I get it.

Stop 4: Artists Drive

For those traveling in the warmer months, you may not have much hiking in you. Maybe you’re saving yourself for something better that might come along in this guide.

You don’t have to leave your car at all if you take a mini-detour onto the Artists Drive. This nine-mile ride is the most popular scenic drive in the park. It’s out-and-back, so you’ll need to return to Badwater Road once you’re done.

The main draw is at the very end. That’s where you’ll find the Artists Palette. While the colors are best mid-afternoon, the rainbow hills are impressive no matter when you’re there.

This is also another Star Wars location if you’re keeping track of that.

If you’re inspired and want to linger, there are a few hikes along the drive. We haven’t tested any out, but you have a few options that start at the Artists Palette.

Stop 5: Devil’s Golf Course

If you want the exercise, you can walk along this very strange landscape for a 2.6-mile stroll through Death Valley’s version of the links.

The Devil’s Golf Course is an area of rock salt that has been eroded over time, leaving this rough surface in its wake.

This can also be a quick stop if you’re crunched for time but want to see some of the park’s most unique landscapes. If you’re driving, just drive to the end of the road.

You’ll see a small parking area there that’ll give you a good view of this site. That’s what we did.

You can come out onto the slabs unless you’re a clumsy person. The park service claims the surface is so sharp it’s only suitable for golf if you’re the devil, so be careful if you’re stepping out.

Stop 6: Natural Bridge Canyon Trail

This is an easy trail to check out the park’s Natural Bridge, a park feature that makes you feel quite small as you stroll underneath. Although the park doesn’t get much rain, flash flooding events over the years carved the canyon the bridge spans today.

It’s only about half a mile to get to the bridge, and another half a mile if you’d like to continue on to a dry waterfall.

Fun fact: For those not in the know, a dry waterfall is exactly what you think it is. Way back when, there used to be an actual waterfall here…with water.

Access this one from Natural Bridge Road. You’ll find a parking lot upon arrival for an easy start.

Stop 7: Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is one of the more surreal stops you’ll make on your one-day Death Valley itinerary.

At 282 feet below sea level, this stretch of salt flats is the lowest point in North America, so don’t miss at least a selfie with the wooden sign that tells you as much.

If you’d like to explore further, you can head out onto the basin via the available boardwalk. You can decide when to turn around and head back.

The pull to head out there is strong, but once you’re there, it’s a lot of the same over a number of miles. What’s considered the full Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail is about two miles roundtrip.

You don’t need to do the full walk to get a feel for the place. I promise.

As a highlight for most travelers to the park, expect crowds over Badwater Basin and coming onto Badwater Road. They’re still nowhere near what you’ll see at parks like Yellowstone or Yosemite, but if they’re in the park, they’ll be stopping at the basin.

Stop 8: Dante’s View

Dante’s View is a popular overlook in the park because it’s accessible by car. If you look down from the viewpoint, you’ll be staring at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America.

Oh, have I said that already?

If you have the energy, there are short trails extending from either side of the viewpoint that allow you to spend a bit more time taking it all in.

The main Dante’s View trail is only a mile round-trip, with just over 200 feet of elevation. The elevation gain over the short distance gets it a moderate rating, but I didn’t find this one challenging at all.

As I said, you don’t need to hike at this one if you’re just here for the view.

Optional Stop 9: Mosaic Canyon

You can end your day here, but if you have it in you, continue north past Furnace Creek to these next two stops.

The aptly named Mosaic Canyon is a four-mile trail with all kinds of intrigue. I’m talking narrow slot canyons, wide swaths of wash, and yes, canyons that look like they’d be perfect for a bathroom remodel.

The hike is rated as moderate by the park service due to the elevation gains of 1,200 feet and some scrambling throughout.

I found it quite doable, especially when you realize the climbing is at the start of the hike and not at the return. Those are the worst. Access this one off of Mosaic Canyon Road.

Stop 10: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

These are the most accessible sand dunes in the park. If you’re feeling aggressive, a hike to the summit of the tallest dune is a mile each way from the parking area, but you don’t have to do all that if you just want to look at ’em.

Hiking up sand dunes is no joke. We spent some time tackling the smaller ones because again, it’s a lot of work hiking uphill on sand.

Note: These are also the only dunes you can sandboard on while you’re in the park. I wasn’t aware that this was a thing until well after when we tried the same on a trip to Australia.

Riding the dunes is a good time if you have a bit of balance, but again, what goes down must come back up. If you find this one to your liking, check out the Panamint Dunes, too.

Return to your accommodations at this point, or better yet, a well-earned meal.

Here are a few options for restaurants near Death Valley National Park:

• If you’re already staying at or near the Panamint Springs Resort, you may as well take advantage of what’s available there as far as food and beverages. They have a decent beer selection in addition to customizable pizzas.
• The complex at the Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel has two food options for you, the Badwater Saloon and the Toll Road Restaurant. The saloon should be your pick if you’re looking for light eats and drinks.
• For the fancy among you, The Inn at Death Valley offers a fine dining experience for desert travelers. Reservations are highly recommended and available online.
• If you’re driving through Beatty, Nevada, on your way to or back home from the park, check out the Happy Burro Chili & Beer and have exactly that. Be warned that it’s cash only.

More Things to Do on a Death Valley National Park Itinerary

As we had a full weekend to explore Death Valley, we were able to fit in a few more hikes and things than you could in just one day there.

I pulled the most impressive for your one-day Death Valley itinerary above, but here are a few more note-worthy spots from our trip just in case you want to stay.

Gower Gulch Loop

This four-mile loop trail is an easy add-on to the Badlands Loop and Golden Canyon trails. If you tackle this one on its own, expect more foot traffic than you might think for a trail this length.

This is a popular one for its close look at the canyon floor’s gravel wash.

This one reminded me of Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Wash Trail, a mini version of the Narrows at Zion. It’s a lot easier than that one, though, and you won’t have to navigate any water.

Maybe it’s not that similar after all. In any case, it’s an atmospheric hike.

Harmony Borax Works

Harmony Borax Works is a way to acquaint yourself with the history of Death Valley National Park.

During your visit here, you’ll learn about the 20-mule teams that brought borax mined in this spot overland to locations around the country. This site is on the National Register of Historic Places for that reason.

This short trek is one of the most accessible spots in Death Valley. It’s completely paved if you stick to the interpretive trail.

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail

This short trail with an accessible wooden boardwalk is perfect for those seeking family-friendly hikes in Death Valley.

This is also where you’d see the park’s Salt Creek pupfish, an itty bitty species of fish, and the interpretive signage that comes with such intrigue. Death Valley is the only place in the world where these fish live, so it’s all quite special.

If you’re all in on the pupfish, visit from February to April. That’s when you’re most likely to see them spawn. We weren’t able to witness the magic, but that just means we’ll have to plan a trip back.

Desolation Canyon

If you find yourself on an unmarked road surrounded by an alarming lack of signage pointing you in the right direction, you may be hopelessly lost. You may have also made it to Desolation Canyon, a 3.6-mile moderate hike.

You’ll get up close and personal to the features of Artist’s Drive here, colorful canyon walls that are still such a surprise when visiting Death Valley.

The more adventurous may feel a pull to explore the side canyons along this trail. If that’s you, look for forks between the one-mile and 1.5-mile marks.

These side jaunts, as always, are for the experienced hiker. The canyons here are unpredictable, as they’ve been put into place here by the power of water.

Darwin Falls

Darwin Falls is a relatively easy trail to a year-round falls on the west side of the park. This isn’t Yosemite, so don’t expect gushing water at this Death Valley waterfall.

The 18-foot drop is still a lovely break from the arid landscapes that surround it.

You’d think this one would be thick with tourists, but getting to this easy hike is more of a challenge. You’ll need to drive down an unmarked, gravel road west of the Panamint Springs Resort, an area of the park that’s already lighter on the visitors.

A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the trip, but a sedan should do fine during much of the year. Chat with a ranger about road conditions ahead of your drive if you’re worried about your vehicle.

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Ubehebe Crater

You can visit Ubehebe Crater, a volcanic crater that is half a mile across, quite easily. The parking lot comes right up to the rim.

If you have the time, it’s worth exploring some of the trails that start there, though. You’ll have a decent payoff on the one-mile trail to the Little Hebe Crater, a spatter cone. Also, the name is adorable.

Just follow the signs from the parking lot of the main crater for this trail. The full loop is still only 1.5 miles.

Telescope Peak Trail

I’m not even going to pretend like we hiked 12 miles in one go at Death Valley, but I had to throw in a more challenging hike for the more aggressive folks out there. This is the only thing in this guide we didn’t try, so I feel like it should be allowed.

This out-and-back trail takes you to Telescope Peak, the highest point in the park.

As expected, climbing to the tallest point in Death Valley is challenging. You’ll hike through forests and along a steep ridgeline before reaching the peak at 11,049 feet.

Pick this one up at the Mahogany Flat Campground and bring more water than you think you’ll need, pretty please.

More Tips for Visiting Death Valley National Park

I don’t want you flying blind here, especially in a place as magical but potentially sketchy as Death Valley. Check out my tips before you hit the road for your desert excursion:

• The standard fee for Death Valley is $30 per vehicle. If you think you’ll hit a few national parks this year, buy an America the Beautiful pass to save money.
• The best time to visit Death Valley is in the late fall to winter months. As we like to be active when visiting our national parks, we visited in January. The days were still sunny but cool.
• That said, people still visit Death Valley National Park in the summer, but they’re likely doing a self-drive tour of the park. It’s much too hot to do anything else, so I would advise against it.
• How long it takes to drive through the park depends on your route. The most popular scenic drives are along Badwater Road and Artists Drive. Budget an hour or two for a round-trip drive with a few scenic stops.
• Crowds pick up in the second and third week of November for the annual Death Valley ’49ers Encampment events. Check out the event website for more information, as you might like to attend.
• What to wear in Death Valley comes down to being safe. If you’re hiking to the summit of Telescope Peak in the winter months, you may need a jacket and gloves in the winter months. No matter when you visit, expect cooler temps into the evening.
• I’d caution against hiking in Death Valley in the summer, but breathable fabrics and a good pair of hiking shoes are always a good idea.
• Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Carry a hiking backpack with a water bladder so that you don’t cause a park service rescue mission.
• Don’t miss the very weird but definitely wonderful Goldwell Open Air Museum if you go through Beatty. You’ll see sculptures that may or may not give you nightmares after.

Where to Stay Near Death Valley National Park

Consider what you’d like to do and see when choosing your accommodations near Death Valley. If you want to stay inside the park, it doesn’t get more convenient than The Inn at Death Valley.

There are also a few campgrounds in the park, but you’ll need to make reservations. The Furnace Creek Campground is conveniently placed and, as a result, most popular.

We don’t camp, though. We’ve stayed at The Ranch at Death Valley in Furnace Creek. The outdoor pool is a nice addition, and you’re still staying within minutes of hiking Death Valley.

Want more options? Check out the map below:

You should see Death Valley National Park.

Visit on a Death Valley day trip for one of the more unique national park adventures in the United States.

I know I didn’t give it nearly enough credit for being so high on drama. Beyond the heat and the expansiveness, I was surprised by how vibrant Death Valley can be. If you’re lucky enough to be in the park at sunrise or sunset, the colors really come alive.

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