Death Valley National Park

A Land of Extremes and Beauty

By Tom Dorsz

October 28^th, 2025

Death Valley can be a furnace in the summer, but my wife, Pat, and I enjoyed comfortable temperatures during our January visit, with nighttime lows of 25-30°F (-4 to 0°C) and daytime highs of 65-70°F (18 to 21°C). We stayed two nights at the historic Inn at Death Valley. While there are inns and motels in nearby Beatty, NV, we opted for the convenience of being right in the park.

Death Valley is a land of extremes. This below-sea-level basin is known for its consistent drought and record summer heat. It’s famous for being the hottest place on Earth and the driest location in North America. Furnace Creek holds the world record for the highest air temperature ever recorded, reaching 134°F (57°C) on July 10, 1913. During the summer, temperatures often exceed 120°F (49°C) in the shade, while overnight lows can drop into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C).

We spoke with a Park Ranger about the extreme summer temperatures. She explained that there can be a significant difference between ground temperatures and those at eye level.

The temperature difference between the two can range from 30 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (17 to 33 degrees Celsius). For example, on July 15, 1972, Furnace Creek recorded a ground temperature of 201°F (94°C) while the air temperature reached 128°F (53°C). The ground temp was 73°F hotter!

Tips

When gearing up for a visit to Death Valley, here are a few friendly tips to keep in mind:

Check road conditions and closures with the National Park Service
Be sure your vehicle is appropriate for the terrain you plan to travel on
Pack plenty of water, food, and other essentials, as services may be limited in some areas
Let someone know your route and expected return time
Pets, even if carried, are not allowed on the dunes or any trail in Death Valley National Park
Do not leave your animal in your vehicle
Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet
Check the NPS Weather page for monthly averages
Travling by Car (latest info on gas stations and EV chargers)
Park Map (Online and printable, showing roads and park destinations)

Zabriskie Point

Our first stop was Zabriskie Point, where we pulled into the designated parking area. There were plenty of available spaces. The sight was breathtaking, especially in winter, with the snow-capped Panamint Range and the colorful hills and formations. It was about an hour before sunset on a cloudy, cool afternoon. We quickly realized that the sunset wouldn’t be awe-inspiring. The rolling hills, canyons, and vibrant colors were still remarkable. One of the striking features of this area is Manly Beacon, a prominent high point that rises to an elevation of 823 feet (251 meters). This point is named after one of the first 49ers, the gold rush pioneers, who visited the area

Badlands, Zabriskie Point, mounds, hikers — Hikers navigate the challenging trails in the Badlands.

The rugged badlands at Zabriskie Point, death valley — Snow-capped Panamint Range is seen from the stunning yellow and brown-striped hills and jagged badlands of Zabriskie Point. ©Tom Dorsz

Dante’s View

We woke up before sunrise and drove to Dante's View, about a 45-minute drive up a winding road from the Inn at Death Valley. The parking area and viewpoint are about 3,000 feet from the 5,475-foot summit of the Black Mountains. When we arrived, the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon. It was a chilly morning, with temperatures just below freezing.

The sweeping view includes Badwater Basin's salt flats, the lowest point in the contiguous United States, and the towering Panamint Range. We ran into other photographers who had set up their tripods at the edge of the viewpoint. They give you a good perspective on the vastness of the scene.

Hiking Opportunities: While the main viewpoint is easily accessible, there are hiking trails along the ridge, providing a challenging hike to further explore the expansive views to the north and south.

The sun peeks over the horizon and lights up Badwater Basin.

There's no wind, no sound but an incredible view.

Looking across Badwater Basin and its salt flats to the Panamint Range from Dante's View just before sunrise.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes showcase nature's rugged beauty in Death Valley. These easily reachable dunes near Stovepipe Wells are a favorite for photographers, hikers, sandboarders, and anyone who appreciates the landscape's immensity. While there is no official trail, the hike to the tallest dune and back to the parking lot is about two miles and takes about an hour and a half.

The Sand Dunes here are perfectly formed due to several natural factors. First, there needs to be a source of sand, which in this case comes from the eroding Amargosa Mountains to the north. Next, wind is needed to move the sand, and finally, there must be a barrier to prevent the sand from blowing away, and that is the Panamint Mountains to the south.

The name "Mesquite" originates from the small green mesquite trees that grow there. These trees thrive in the harsh sandy environment and produce beautifully gnarled wood. They offer shelter from the sun for various desert creatures, including kangaroo rats and sidewinder rattlesnakes. The presence of rattlesnakes alone is a good reason to keep your distance from the mesquite trees, whether dead or alive!

Green mesquites grow among the dunes near the dry and desolate Panamint Mountains, which serve as a barrier to help hold the sand in place.

Barchan dunes are crescent-shaped formations that resemble a "C" or half-moon, with two tips pointing into the wind. They form in deserts with limited sand and steady winds and can shift in the direction of the wind that shapes them.

Pat is standing at the edge of the dunes, taking in the immense scene before her. The ground here is more compact than the shifting sands of the dunes, but what truly amazes is the vastness of the landscape.

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level and surrounded by pretty tall mountains. The salt flats here cover nearly 200 square miles (518 square km), and are composed mostly of sodium chloride or table salt, calcite, gypsum, and borax. Yes, Borax, of the old laundry soap commercials. The road through it includes stops for bizarre names like: The Devil's Golf Course, Devil's Cornfield, The Artist's Palette, geometric salt polygons, and the plain salt flats.

Looking across the enormous cracked salt flat, stretching towards the distant horizon. © Marcos Kulenkampff/Adobe

Devil's Golf Course

The Devil's Golf Course is a vast area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into sharp, jagged formations. The landscape is so rugged that it's said, "Only the devil could play golf on such rough links." If you listen closely, you can hear sounds resembling tiny pops and pings; this noise comes from billions of tiny salt crystals bursting apart as they expand and contract in the heat.

It's easily accessible by a short drive from Badwater Road and has a parking lot but no boardwalk or trail.
Caution: Devil's Golf Course's surface is made of jagged salt formations, which make walking on it difficult and potentially dangerous.
The intense heat during the summer months can be particularly dangerous.

The vastness of the Devil's Golf Course is incredible! Just a heads-up though: the sharp rock salt can be tricky underfoot and easy to lose your balance, so take your time and tread very carefully.

Artists Palette

The Artist’s Drive winds through canyons and alongside the rugged Black Mountains, ultimately leading to the Artist’s Palette. Here you can see a stunning array of colors—red, orange, yellow, blue, pink, and green—splashing across the hills. These vibrant hues result from volcanic deposits rich in compounds like iron oxides and chlorite, creating a beautiful rainbow effect. It really is a fantastic array of colors. It's one of those places where you want to walk and take it all in.

9 miles one way on Artist Drive. A lot of decent pullovers.
There are several trails available, particularly at the Artists Palette parking area.

The nine-mile-long Artists Drive winds through impressive canyons alongside the rugged Black Mountains.

The destination is so worth it. Take the time to walk and explore the colors and topography. ©Wirestock/Adobe

Devil's Cornfield

There are many challenges in Death Valley. Given how remote and unforgiving the environment is, it's easy to see why. Sometimes, it feels like you're on Mars, surrounded by a desolate landscape with little water. However, the cornfields provide a striking contrast, adding an interesting touch of green to this otherwise arid place.

The plants in Death Valley's Devil's Cornfield are arrowweed. Despite the name, they are not corn. The name "Devil's Cornfield" comes from how these shrubs grow in dense, upright clumps, resembling harvested sheaves of corn. ©Terefere/Adobe

Equipment Recommendations

TREKKING POLES are a must-have if you plan to walk on the dunes and the many rough trails throughout the park. View on Amazon

HIKING BOOTS - Look for lightweight, durable, breathable boots with good ankle support and aggressive traction for hiking trails and sand dunes. View on Amazon

BINOCULARS are a fantastic way to observe wildlife and appreciate the vastness of the landscape. View on Amazon

National Parks Touring Map & Guide— Avoid getting lost in national parks, have a detailed paper map on hand. View on Amazon

SUNSCREEN—We regularly applied sunscreen to all exposed skin. It's easy to get sunburned at any time of year in Death Valley. Suggest anything over SPF 50. View on Amazon

Pat and I wrapped up our adventure in Death Valley and set our sights on Las Vegas—talk about a contrast! We had a great time exploring Death Valley, and honestly, we wish we could have spent more time soaking in all the amazing sights this incredible desert has to offer. We're really glad we visited in the winter, though; we can't even imagine how hot it must be here in the summer!

Footnotes

Hey there! Just a little note: all the photos and videos you see here are my own, unless I mention otherwise in the caption. I love sharing my travel stories, photographs, and tips with you. You’ll also find some of my watercolor art sprinkled in, and if you’re interested, there are links to purchase my prints, as well as equipment recommendations. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon. I hope you find some new places to explore!