Complete Guide to Death Valley National Park, California
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is one of the most surreal and extreme landscapes we’ve ever explored. We’ve visited twice—both times in the spring—and highly recommend spending at least a couple of days here to take it all in. From golden canyons to endless salt flats, this place is full of contrasts.
While the park is famous for being the hottest place on Earth, visiting in March or April offers warm (but bearable) temperatures, making it the best time to explore. Even when it’s snowing back home, Death Valley feels like another world—one that rewards early mornings and sunset adventures.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Death Valley National Park in the spring, including our favorite hikes, viewpoints, and a few side trips worth adding to your itinerary.
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park
Where to Stay: Camping in Death Valley
We always camp inside the park at Furnace Creek Campground to be close to the main sights. This makes it easy to head out for sunrise hikes and sunset viewpoints without a long drive in and out of the park. The campground offers some shade, picnic tables, and fire pits—luxuries in a place as remote as this!
Camping & Lodging Tips:
Furnace Creek Campground is the best option for camping inside the park. Reservations fill up fast, so book in advance.
There are other campgrounds (like Texas Springs and Stovepipe Wells) with first-come, first-served sites.
Lodging is available at The Inn at Death Valley and The Ranch at Death Valley, but expect premium prices for the convenience.
If you prefer dispersed camping, there are boondocking options outside the park in places like the Alabama Hills (more on that later!).
Pro Tip: Fuel up before entering the park. There are gas stations inside Death Valley, but prices are steep because of the remote location. If you’re staying for a few days, plan accordingly.
Best Hikes in Death Valley National Park
While Death Valley is often associated with driving from one viewpoint to the next, there are some incredible hiking trails that let you experience the landscapes up close.
Golden Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Golden Canyon & Gower Gulch Loop
Distance: 7.2 km (4.5 miles) loop
Elevation Gain: 204 m (670 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time to Hike: Sunrise or early morning
This is one of our absolute favorite hikes in Death Valley. The Golden Canyon section takes you through stunning golden-hued rock formations before leading into Gower Gulch, where you’ll see rugged badlands and dry washes. If you have extra energy, you can add a short detour to Red Cathedral, a striking red rock formation at the end of a canyon.
Golden Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Sidewinder Canyon
Distance: 8 km (5 miles) round trip (can be shortened)
Elevation Gain: 137 m (450 ft)
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Best Time to Hike: Morning or late afternoon
This is a more off-the-beaten-path hike that features narrow slot canyons and winding passageways. The farther you go, the more dramatic the slot sections become. This trail is lesser-known than some of the other Death Valley hikes, making it a great place to escape the crowds.
Sidewinder Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Best Sunrise & Sunset Spots
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park
Sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
These dunes are best visited at sunrise when the sand is still untouched from the night before. If you get here early, you can capture the incredible ripples in the sand before the wind and footsteps smooth them out. We love wandering out past the first set of dunes to escape the crowds and experience the quiet beauty of the desert.
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park
Sunset at Zabriskie Point & Dante’s Ridge
Zabriskie Point is one of Death Valley’s most famous viewpoints, and for good reason—it offers jaw-dropping views of golden badlands, especially at sunset when the colors change dramatically. If you want a slightly less crowded option, head up to Dante’s Ridge, where you’ll get a higher vantage point with stunning views over the valley.
Dante’s Ridge, Death Valley National Park
Other Must-See Spots
Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park
Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park
Badwater Basin (Especially When Flooded!)
At 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. Usually, it’s a vast, cracked salt flat, but in 2024, we got to see it flooded—an incredibly rare sight! The reflection of the mountains in the shallow water was unreal. Even if it’s dry when you visit, walking out onto the salt flats is a must.
Painted Hills, Death Valley National Park
Artist’s Drive & Painted Hills
This scenic one-way drive takes you through Artist’s Palette, where mineral deposits create vibrant hills in shades of pink, green, purple, and yellow. The best time to visit is late afternoon, when the sunlight enhances the colors.
Alabama Hills, California
Nearby Side Trips: Alabama Hills & Mammoth Hot Springs
Alabama Hills, California
Whenever we’re in Death Valley, we love taking a detour to Alabama Hills, where massive boulders sit at the base of Mount Whitney. This area is popular for boondocking, and we’ve camped here before while exploring the area.
Mobius Arch, Arch Loop Trail
Arch Loop Trail (Alabama Hills)
Distance: 1.1 km (0.7 miles)
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
A short but fun trail that takes you to Mobius Arch, which perfectly frames Mount Whitney in the distance.
Mammoth Hot Springs
After exploring the Alabama Hills, we continued up to Mammoth Hot Springs with Aspen. It was such a cool experience to relax in the naturally heated pools while surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Mammoth Hot Springs, California
Is Spring the Best Time to Visit Death Valley
Having visited in March and April, we definitely wouldn’t come later into the summer—the temperatures can be extreme, often exceeding 50°C (122°F). Even in spring, it’s hot, but it’s manageable and perfect for hiking and exploring.
Here’s why spring is the best time to visit Death Valley:
✔️ Comfortable temperatures for hiking and sightseeing
✔️ No summer road closures due to extreme heat
✔️ Chance of seeing water in Badwater Basin (if you’re lucky!)
✔️ Less crowded than peak winter months
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is so much more than just a drive-through park—it’s a place to slow down, explore, and experience the raw beauty of the desert. Whether you’re catching sunrise on the dunes, hiking through golden canyons, or watching the colours shift at Zabriskie Point, this park will leave you in awe.
Would you visit Death Valley in the spring? Let us know in the comments! ☀️🏜️
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