7 Must Do Activities in Death Valley National Park in California

Located two hours West of Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert and surrounded by two mountain ranges lies the largest U.S. National Park not located in Alaska...Death Valley National Park! I have been to Death Valley on three occasions and while I have plenty more to explore there have seen my fair share of the park.  I have been to 56 of the 63 National Parks as of the writing of this piece and I would put this at number three! In this article I share my Top 7 Must Do Activities in Death Valley National Park in California

7. Bag a Mountain Peak in Death Valley!

Death Valley is not just desert, it has the Panamint Mountain Range and four other mountain ranges within the park. This is the top of Jubilee Peak which I only recommend for seasoned hikers.  Telescope Peak and Wildrose Peak start from the Charcoal Kilns (check these out while you are arriving!) and are a great summer alternative to the bottom of the basin where it gets really HOT in the summer.  In fact most recommend a Spring/Fall/Winter Trip to the park.  Both of mine have been added on to a business trip to Vegas in January!

6. Get low in Death Valley at Badwater Basin, like really low!

Walk the lowest point of the Western Hemisphere at Badwater Basin.  Take the Badwater Road in from Shoshone California or Furnace Creek Entrance to the park and head left.
Then you get to walk these amazing salt flats as little or as much as your heart desires.  It's an amazing place to be at, I can't describe the euphoria I have felt both times walking around the basin.

Panorama view of the salt flats in Badwater Basin.

5. See the variety of trails and sights in Death Valley California!

There are tons of great spots that are easily accessible from the main road and either viewpoints or short day hikes.  This one is Natural Bridge and it's a great short hike.
What other trails and sights should you see? Devil's Golf Course, The Salt Creek Marshes, Zabriskie Point, The Harmony Borax Works, and Hidden Canyon are all easy to adventure to.  Find out more info HERE! 

Scotty’s Castle has been closed for a decade but would be a great experience when reopened.

Death Valley has three ADA friendly trails that you can check out HERE.

4. The Mesquite Sand Dunes. 

There are other amazing dunes in the park but this is the one that doesn't require a 4x4 and an all day excursion.  A two mile hike gets you to the top of the highest dunes and it's a great spot for sunrise and sunset.

3. Head to the Racetrack (where the rocks move b/c of the wind!) and a few other off road areas with your 4x4 or by renting a Jeep. 

The Racetrack is an all day trek of 27 miles off road each way from the Crater.  Which is also way off the beaten path but paved!  Some other great spots would be Titus Canyon, Mosaic Canyon (though I accessed without it and you can if you have a Mid-Size SUV), Eureka Dunes, and Darwin Falls.  I haven't done this yet but it's my plan for a future trip.

2. Ubehebe Crater. 

I was blown away by this crater.  Part of it is because it is only 2,000 years old, which is very young for a volcano eruption (and something that shows us that the world is still changing!) A rim hike and a hike to the bottom give you a great workout in the middle of nowhere and an understanding of the vastness and desolate nature of this park.  The crater is located approximately 1 hour from Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek and the road is all paved!

Little Hebe is also on the crater rim trail!

1. Explore the nooks and crannies of Death Valley National Park in California!

I haven't seen this whole park and I've been there three times. I stayed overnight in Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs and saw amazing stars and constellations.  Scotty's Castle that I mentioned, the Charcoal Kilns, and Grapevine Canyon are wonderful locations that were closed when I have visited but are definitely worth seeing.  Bottom line is my top recommendation is don't just rip through the park, take a few pics, and cross it off your bucket list.
Stay overnight, read some of the amazing stories of miners and gold rushers who came to this desert, learn about the Native Americans who are the rightful owners of the land, stargaze, come in the spring for wildflower season, and find something that is not on this list.  There's plenty more to see!

Have you been to Death Valley? What's your favorite hike or activity there?
Leave your comments below about your Death Valley adventures.

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Mike R