Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley's landscape does most of the work — many of its best experiences are short walks or scenic pullouts rather than long hikes, which suits the extreme heat for most of the year.
Quick Answer
The best things to do in Death Valley are walking onto the Badwater Basin salt flats, driving Artist's Drive to see the Artist's Palette, watching sunrise at Zabriskie Point, exploring the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and visiting Dante's View for a valley-wide overlook.
Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America, where a boardwalk leads onto a vast white salt flat. Walk far enough out and the mountains seem to disappear into the horizon.
- Lowest point in North America
- Easy flat walk on salt polygons
- Best in cooler morning hours
Artist's Drive And Zabriskie Point
Artist's Drive is a scenic one-way loop past the Artist's Palette, where mineral deposits paint the hillsides pink, green, and purple. Zabriskie Point, a short walk from a parking area, is the park's most famous sunrise spot, overlooking golden, wrinkled badlands.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Near Stovepipe Wells, these dunes are the park's most accessible dune field, best explored at sunrise or sunset when low light emphasizes their ripples and shadows. There is no marked trail — just walk out and choose your own path.
Dante's View And Racetrack Playa
Dante's View is a short paved-road detour to a 5,475-foot overlook of the entire valley floor. Racetrack Playa, reachable only by a rough high-clearance road, is famous for rocks that appear to have sailed across the dry lakebed on their own.
Plan And Track This Park
Add Death Valley to your TravelCharted checklist so you can track it with the rest of your national parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous thing to do in Death Valley?
Walking onto the Badwater Basin salt flats, the lowest point in North America, is the park's signature experience.
Do you need a 4x4 to visit Death Valley?
No, most main sights — Badwater Basin, Artist's Drive, Zabriskie Point, and the sand dunes — are reachable by any standard vehicle. Racetrack Playa is the exception and requires high clearance.
Is Death Valley worth visiting if it's so hot?
Yes, especially November through March when temperatures are comfortable. Even in summer, sunrise visits to spots like Zabriskie Point or the dunes can work if you're back in air conditioning before midday.
More National Park Guides
Itinerary
Death Valley National Park Itinerary
Plan a Death Valley National Park itinerary with Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Artist's Drive, and safe-season timing.
Where to stay
Where to Stay Near Death Valley National Park
Compare where to stay near Death Valley National Park, including Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Beatty, and Pahrump.