Death Valley National Park

⚠️Extreme Heat Safety134°F record▾

🌡️ Death Valley holds the record for the hottest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth — 134°F in July 1913 — and summer highs regularly top 120°F. Heat kills 1–3 visitors most years. Avoid hiking below 4,000 ft elevation after 10 AM from May–September, carry at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, eat salty snacks, and never leave kids or pets in a parked vehicle. Rescue helicopters cannot safely fly once temperatures exceed roughly 120°F — plan trips accordingly. NPS heat safety info ↗

Quick Stats

Hottest Recorded134°F

Avg. July High~116°F

Lowest Point (Badwater)-282 ft

Highest Point (Telescope Pk)11,049 ft

🪧Park Entrances & Fees3 open · $30▾

West Entrance Usually Open

SR-190, via Olancha / Lone Pine (US-395)

Crosses Towne Pass into the park, past Stovepipe Wells and on to Furnace Creek. Most common approach from the Owens Valley / Eastern Sierra side.

💡 Entrance is a cashless automated pay kiosk — no staffed gate, no wait-time data. Pay online at Recreation.gov before you go if you can.

NPS directions ↗

East Entrance Usually Open

SR-190, via Death Valley Junction / Pahrump, NV

Closest approach to Zabriskie Point and Furnace Creek from Las Vegas — the most common route for Vegas-based day trips.

💡 About 2 hours from Las Vegas. Fill up on gas before entering — in-park fuel is expensive.

NPS directions ↗

South Entrance Usually Open

SR-127 / SR-178, via Baker & Shoshone

Enters near Badwater Road, the lowest and hottest part of the park. Good route from I-15 / the Baker "world's tallest thermometer" side.

💡 Long, remote drive with little cell service — top off water and gas in Baker or Shoshone.

NPS directions ↗

Entry Fees · 7-day pass

Vehicle$30

Motorcycle$25

Foot / Bike (16+)$15

Under 16Free

Death Valley Annual Pass$55/yr

America the Beautiful$80/yr

Card only · No cash accepted onsite

🏕Campground Availability4 areas▾

Furnace Creek Reservation Only ▾

Sites136

Elevation-196 ft

SeasonYear-round

NotesClosest to Visitor Center & only campground with year-round hookups nearby

Book on Recreation.gov ↗

Mesquite Spring First-Come, First-Served ▾

Sites30

Elevation1,800 ft

SeasonYear-round

NotesNorthern park, near Ubehebe Crater & Scotty's Castle Rd — quiet & cooler

Campground details ↗

Stovepipe Wells First-Come, First-Served ▾

Sites190

Elevation-107 ft

SeasonOct–Apr (closed in summer heat)

NotesNear Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes & the village general store

Campground details ↗

Panamint Range Campgrounds Free · First-Come ▾

Wildrose4,100 ft

Thorndike7,400 ft · high-clearance rec.

Mahogany Flat8,200 ft · high-clearance rec.

NotesPrimitive, no water · 20–30°F cooler than the valley floor

Campground details ↗

📍Landmarks & Trailheads12 stops▾

Badwater Road4 stops▾

Badwater BasinEasy boardwalk · lowest point in N. America-282 ft

Artist's PaletteScenic one-way drive · colorful mineral hills~30 min

Devil's Golf CourseJagged salt crystal formations~15 min

Natural BridgeModerate · 1.4 mi round trip canyon hike~1 hr

Central / Furnace Creek Area5 stops▾

Zabriskie PointEasy overlook · classic badlands sunrise view~15 min

Golden CanyonModerate · 3 mi round trip to Red Cathedral~2 hrs

Dante's ViewEasy overlook · 5,475 ft, views to Telescope Peak~20 min

Harmony Borax WorksEasy · historic 20-mule-team borax site~20 min

Mesquite Flat Sand DunesEasy · rolling dunes, best at sunrise/sunset~1 hr

Northern Park — High-Clearance / 4WD3 stops▾

Racetrack PlayaSailing stones · rough 27-mi gravel road4WD required

Ubehebe CraterEasy rim walk · 600 ft volcanic crater~30 min

Titus CanyonScenic one-way drive through narrow canyonHigh-clearance rec.

🍽️Concession Information10 locations▾

The Oasis at Death Valley — Furnace Creek7 locations▾

The Ranch General StoreGroceries · Produce · Beer & Wine · SouvenirsDaily

The Inn Dining RoomFine DiningSeasonal

Inn Pool CaféSandwiches · Salads · PoolsideSeasonal

The Last Kind Words SaloonWestern-Themed Bar & DiningDaily

1849 RestaurantBreakfast · Lunch · Dinner · Town SquareDaily

Ice Cream ParlorSoda Fountain · Date ShakesDaily

Oasis ShoppeJewelry · Western Wear · Native American ArtDaily

Stovepipe Wells Village3 locations▾

Stovepipe Wells General StoreSundries · Food · Travel Supplies · Adjacent Gas StationDaily

Toll Road RestaurantSeasonal Fare · Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerDaily

Badwater SaloonFull Bar · Appetizers · Lunch & DinnerDaily

Oasis at Death Valley dining & shopping ↗

🌙Stargazing & Night SkyGold tier▾

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Death Valley is the largest Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park in the U.S. — the highest designation for night sky quality. Best viewing spots are Harmony Borax Works, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes & Ubehebe Crater, all far from the faint glow of Furnace Creek. Best on new-moon nights — bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision and layer up, as desert nights get cold fast. NPS night sky info ↗