Getting out and exploring our incredible National Parks is something we love to do any time of the year. However, some parks are best visited during certain times of the year. Case in point, Death Valley National Park. This is one of the hottest places in the world, with summertime temperatures regularly averaging above 100º Fahrenheit. Late Fall through early Spring sees more user-friendly temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the low 80s. So you know that means? ‘Tis the season to explore the desert and mountain landscape of Death Valley. Here’s some sights around the park that you shouldn’t miss on your next visit.
Badwater Basin
Death Valley is a place of extremes, and Badwater Basin get extreme superlatives in three categories. It’s the lowest elevation in the U.S, the driest place in the U.S., plus it’s holds the record for hottest temperature in the world. While those are impressive accolades, it certainly does not sound like the most inviting place. Well, that’s why visiting in winter is our recommendation—it eases up on the hot and dry aspect, but keeps the designation of lowest elevation. (It’s 282 feet below sea level!) Visiting Death Valley National Park and not going to Badwater Basin means you didn’t really visit the park. National parks are meant to capture and preserve some of the most incredible natural features, and Badwater Basin is a truly unique place that must be seen in person to really appreciate.
Artists Drive
Memorable, scenic drives are something that many national parks feature. Death Valley’s offering is an amazingly colorful experience that will surprise many first time visitors. Artists Drive is a 9-mile long, one-way loop road into Badwater Basin that highlights the colorful results of millennia of volcanic activity in the area. There’s a couple hikes worth checking out along the route, though you get plenty of great views on just the drive itself. Movie buffs will recognize some of the landscape from a desert planet in a movie that takes place a long time ago, in a galaxy far away. Scenes from the original Star Wars movie were filmed here.
Mosaic Canyon Hike
If you’re going to do one hike in Death Valley National Park, this is it. Mosaic Canyon is only around 4 miles round trip, and is one of the easiest in the park, particularly if you only check out the first mile or so. Apart from its relative ease of accessibility, the geologic formations seen along this hike are the real draw. Flooding events over time have shaped the landscape here, with parts of the trail squeezing down to deeply incised narrows, some only four feet wide. The floor of the canyon can change dramatically from year to year from the seasonal flooding—and depending on the amount of rain they get, even day to day. There’s evidence of these changes in the remnants of boardwalks and ladders that appear half-way up the canyon walls. The layers of rock tell an ancient story of sea level changes and geologic events, with formations such as polished marble showing the immense amounts of pressure, heat and time that shaped the landscape here.
Badlands Loop to Golden Canyon Hike
This hike is essentially all downhill, with some amazing views the whole way down. It’s only three miles, but just because it’s downhill doesn’t mean it’s easy. The 900-foot decrease in elevation means you’ll definitely be feeling it in your quads on the way down. You’ll start at Zabriskie Point Trailhead and head downhill, away from the overlook that most visitors will be there to admire. The trail quickly plunges into a surreal sea of zig zag hills—the badlands. Erosional forces shaped this dramatic landscape, making for a stark beauty that looks both harsh and serene at the same time. You have a couple of opportunities to loop back to where you started via other trails, but if you want to experience this hike properly, we recommend going all the way to the bottom. The biggest hurdle to clear is a logistical one—you’ll need to have either dropped a second vehicle at the trailhead for Golden Canyon, or hope you can hitch a ride with someone else that parked there.
If you’re thinking of checking out Death Valley National Park, a good guide can mean the difference between a mediocre trip and an incredible one. Revealed Travel Guides has been a trusted travel resource for over 30 years, with unbiased travel advice that gives you the info needed to explore new places with confidence. With printed guidebooks, apps and GPS driving tours, you’ll feel like you have a seasoned local showing you the best locations while steering you away from those that aren’t worth your precious vacation time. Our believable guides will bring you unbelievable vacations.
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