🏕️National Park Data
Snowcapped mountains surrounded by bright blue skies and frames by gold wildflowers on a valley floo
badlands bathed in pale pink and orange light from the setting sun
white salt flats with dark gray clouds
Morning light on the badlands below Zabriskie Point.
a sunset overlooking a valley filled with white salt
nine 25 foot tall rock beehive structures
National Park

Death Valley National Park

California · Nevada

💰
Entrance Fee
$30
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Death Valley, CA
📞
Visitor Center
7607863200

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

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About Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a national park located in California and Nevada. SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.

There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

General entry to Entrance - Education/Academic Groups is free. General admission passes are not required.

🥾 Things to Do

Death Valley National Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Mountain Biking, and 23 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Astronomy
✅ Stargazing
✅ Biking
✅ Mountain Biking
✅ Road Biking
✅ Camping
✅ Backcountry Camping
✅ Car or Front Country Camping
✅ Canyoneering
✅ Food
✅ Flying
✅ Golf
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Hiking
✅ Backcountry Hiking
✅ Front-Country Hiking
✅ Horse Trekking
✅ Living History
✅ First Person Interpretation
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching
✅ Park Film
✅ Museum Exhibits
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store
✅ Gift Shop and Souvenirs

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Death Valley

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Death Valley

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Death Valley before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Death Valley. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Death Valley get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Death Valley. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

Frequently Asked Questions about Death Valley

The entrance fee for Death Valley National Park is $30 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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