Best of Death Valley National Park
The lowest, driest ground in North America, and far stranger up close than the name suggests.
Checking live park conditions…
The only stretch when the valley floor is comfortable to walk. Late spring through early autumn is dangerously hot rather than merely warm, and the Park Service advises against hiking below sea level in it.
Day 1·Badwater Road and Furnace Creek Area
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Badwater Basin
Walk out onto the salt flats, the lowest point in North America, and look back up at the mountains.
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Artists Palette
Drive through a landscape painted with vibrant mineral colors on a one-way scenic loop.
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Devils Golf Course
See a vast expanse of jagged salt formations, so rough that 'only the devil could play golf on it'.
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Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Learn about the park's unique geology, history, and ecology, and get up-to-date information.
Day 2·Zabriskie Point and Northern Expanse
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Zabriskie Point
Witness an iconic sunrise over the badlands, revealing layers of eroded, colorful rock formations.
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Dantes View
Experience a panoramic vista of the entire Badwater Basin and the surrounding mountain ranges, especially stunning at sunset.
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Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Explore the most accessible and famous sand dunes in the park, perfect for a walk among the shifting sands.
Make it your own
Start from this curated plan — Runes copies it into your trips so you can tweak dates, budget, pace, and stops. Personalized to your style soon.