Explore the Best of Death Valley National Park, Part II

Death Valley National Park is located in southern California, along the Nevada border, which makes it an amazing day trip or your next road trip stop from Las Vegas. Even though it is a short 2 hour drive, the national park is the largest in the contiguous United States. So even if you make it, you wouldn’t be able to see the entire park in a day. If you only have a day, our first post on Death Valley National Park, Part I is a great itinerary to follow: Make sure to check it out: Death Valley National Park, Part I. However, if you can make it a 2 or 3 day trip, the following attractions are a must for your itinerary!

Explore Death Valley National park

What was it about Death Valley National Park that made us fall in love? It is really hard to describe how unique this national park is. It is the lowest (second in the western hemisphere, hottest (in the world at 134 degrees) and driest (less than 2 inches a year) of all the national parks. It has some of the most incredible landscapes you will ever see, the coolest salt flats and one of the best sand dunes you will ever experience. There really is no other national park like it.

Before you head to the park, make sure to check out all their closures and make sure the area you want to see is open: Click Here

Camping for Free or a Small Fee

There are many places to camp for free just outside the national park. Beatty and Death Valley Junction are some great secluded places to park your RV and drive in each day. If you are on a time frame (or not), I highly suggest paying and camping at one of the campgrounds at Stovepipe Wells. There is dry camping for as cheap as $9 a night and FHUs for $20 (you need the America the Beautiful pass, otherwise, it is more expensive, but still worth it). Stovepipe Wells, also comes with a gas station, two restaurants and a market. It really is worth the cost being in the national park.

A Few Tips Before Your Trip

In the summer it can get incredibly hot, as I have mentioned. Make sure to have proper footwear, sun screen, hat, and water. There are places within the national park to get things you may need, including gas and a hot meal. Gas is available, but I would make sure that you fill up in the closest town in NV before you get there. It is very expensive within the park and if any one of them are down, it will dictate your trip.

If you decide that you want to make the journey in the summer, just to see if you can bear the 120+ degree weather, I would always have an extra pair of shoes (NOT sandals) and a cooler of drinks with a bag of snacks. Even going in December, you may hit a hot day and making sure you have enough with you is always smart. The roads after Pahrump are remote and data is far from reliable and definitely not in the national park.

I know it seems silly to keep saying proper footwear, but the sand, dirt and asphalt are much hotter. People have literally burned the soles of their feet (almost off), shoes have also melted depending on how much time you spend.

Must See Spots in Death Valley National Park

If you want to read our first post about Death Valley National Park, please check it out here:

Death Valley National Park

Ubehebe Crater

This 600′ deep and a half mile across crater was created by a volcanic steam explosion at just 2,100 years ago. You can see signs of the volcanic rock as you get closer and you can see the change in landscape. When you get out of your car, you have an immediate view of it. From there you have two options. Take the 1.5 mile hike around the entire rim, or make your way to the bottom, just remember that you have to climb back out!

The RaceTrack

The RaceTrack is one of the farthest of attractions. 27 miles down a gravel road from Ubehebe Crater, it is one of the coolest dry lake beds you will see. It is called the RaceTrack because there are random large rocks with their tracks behind them. No one has witnessed the movement so all you can do is guess as to how they get where they are! Please do not move any of the rocks or ruin their tracks. It is also just fun to run around the playa!

Mosaic Canyon

This is a beautiful hike through a canyon. From shorter walls with the mosaic rocks to the tower rock walls with their vibrant colors, there isn’t a boring spot on this hike. While there isn’t a destination, it is entirely about the adventure. Great for kids and the adventurer, it isn’t good for anyone with mobility issues. There is rock scrambling and at this point from all the human touch, it is quite slippery in places. About 3.5 miles round trip and 1,027′ in elevation gain, this trail goes up and then comes back down. In the summer, make sure to have plenty of water, hat and sun screen!

Natural Bridge

You wouldn’t expect to have any bridges or arches in Death Valley National Park, but again, this is what makes this national park so amazing. There is a little bit of everything and everything done perfectly. This is a great one for the entire family at 1.5 miles round trip and only a little bit of elevation gain.

Rhyolite Ghost Town

Rholite Ghost Town isn’t actually in the borders of Death Valley National Park, but if you enter from Beatty, Nevada it is just a mile off the road. Otherwise, from Stovepipe Wells it is only a 35 minute drive to check out this ghost town from the early 1900s. Plus, there is not a fun little outdoor museum and a house made from bottles to check out too! The best part, in my opinion is the potential to see….

Local Burros!

You may get lucky enough to see the local burros! Please drive slow as you make your way from Pahrump to either of the entrances of Death Valley National Park. There are many herds of burros that roam freely. We saw them in Pahrump, Beatty and Rhyolite!

*Do NOT feed them!

Please make sure to support your national parks, now more than ever. If you enjoy these areas that make the United States what it is and show cases its beauty and history, write to your congress(wo)man that they need to continue to protect these lands. Donate to national park conservation groups, volunteer, promote and practice Leave No Trace as workers are few.

Let us know if you have any questions about the national park or itinerary requests!

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