When I visited Death Valley National Park in 2017, little did I know that it would become one of my favorite national parks. I was expecting some severe desert landscapes with dusty roads. What I found was so much more.
FIRST THING TO KNOW - DEATH VALLEY IS BIG!
Death Valley is the largest National Park in the lower 48 States, with over 3.4 million acres. The Park is located in Eastern California in the North Mojave Desert. The park is huge and worth the visit at least once in your lifetime if you can swing it.
What makes it even more interesting is that sections of the park are located below sea level, making it the lowest elevation in the United States.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT (NOVEMBER – MARCH)
Although you can visit Death Valley during the summer, it is much easier (and sometimes safer) to go in late Fall, Winter, or early Spring.
Death Valley is extremely hot during the summer, with temperatures between 115 and 120 degrees. The summer also brings the monsoon season with torrential thunderstorms and flash flooding. Being miles out into the park can be extremely dangerous during these weather events.
Winter in Death Valley can bring windy conditions in the lower elevations and snow in the higher areas like Racetrack Playa and Dante’s View. Below-freezing temperatures are not unusual during the winter months.
A special time to visit is the wildflower season. A little bit of winter rain in Death Valley National Park can bring an abundance of wildflowers to the desert region. Lower elevations see flowers from mid-February to mid-April. Mid-level elevations see flowers from early April to early May. Higher elevations see them from early May to mid-July.
No matter what time of year you visit Death Valley National Park, it is always best to stay tuned to the local weather and be prepared with all kinds of clothing and gear.
THERE IS PLENTY OF LIFE IN DEATH VALLEY
Don’t let the name “Death Valley” fool you. It might give you the impression that there isn’t much wildlife or vegetation here in this National Park, but it is alive and thriving.
Death Valley National Park is home to 51 species of native mammals, more than 1000 plant species, 36 kinds of reptiles, and over 300 species of birds. Death Valley is filled with abundant nature and beauty throughout the park.
VISITOR’S TIP: A pair of binoculars is always a great thing to have in your bag.
7 GREAT PHOTO LOCATIONS IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Death Valley National Park is filled with great iconic locations for photography, from the badlands, canyons, dunes, and grand landscapes. However, if you want to go deeper, you can find intimate nature scenes to create beautiful abstracts.
Here are seven great photo locations in Death Valley National Park.
1) ZABRISKIE POINT
Zabriskie Point is one of the most popular locations in Death Valley. It is a short drive from Furnace Creek and offers a great view of the mountains, salt flats, and badlands.
I photographed Zabriskie Point at sunrise. I arrived in the dark, but navigating to my photo spot was easy. There is a designated parking area with a short walk to where most people set up for a shoot. Be prepared for a crowd of tripods, especially on the weekends.
The view from Zabriskie Point includes the mountains in the back, called the Panamint Mountains, along with the salt flats in the valley and the vibrant colors of the badlands in the foreground. The layers, textures, and light are a joy to photograph.
PHOTO TIP: A longer lens in your bag is a great idea to capture some of the details of this beautiful, grand landscape.
2) BADWATER BASIN
The Badwater Basin salt flats cover nearly 200 miles in Death Valley. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Furnace Creek.
As I mentioned earlier, this part of the Death Valley National Park area is below sea level and is the lowest point in the United States.
There are times when heavy rainfall can fill Badwater Basin and form a lake. It recently happened in 2023 when Hurricane Hillary came through the Canyon. Badwater Basin does not empty into the sea, should it fill with water, and can take months to evaporate.
This part of Death Valley is an iconic and popular location to visit. The polygon-shaped designs of the salt flats form a unique landscape. It is also interesting to know that the amount of rain and evaporation this area gets during the year will impact the height of the rims of these polygon structures.
The beautiful textures of the salt flats can also be tricky to navigate. The salt flats are sharp and can cut your ankles quite easily. Hiking boots, sticks, or well-supported footwear are great options when walking through this area.
3) MESQUITE DUNES
The Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley National Park are also popular amongst visitors. Although there are numerous dunes in the Park, because of the location of Mesquite, it is often quite busy.
Because of its popularity, finding dunes with no footprints or trails is sometimes difficult. Arriving early in the morning after a windy night might offer up some foot-free photos. Some dunes are very steep, but the Mesquite Dunes constitute 14 square miles of photo possibilities if you can navigate the sandy hills. Don’t be afraid to venture away from the crowds.
4) THE RACETRACK PLAYA
The journey out to the Racetrack Playa can be an adventurous one. It is located about 83 miles from Furnace Creek and takes about 3.5 hours to get there, of which 27 of those miles are on unpaved, rough roads. A high-profile, 4-wheel drive vehicle is the best way to get there.
The Racetrack Playa is one of the most bizarre places of nature I have visited. The natural phenomenon of “sailing stones” will capture your imagination.
The Playa is a large dry lakebed that is about 3 miles long. The northern end of the playa is 1.5 inches higher than the southern. The surface is a mudflat of hexagon shapes stretching across the land and is a very hard surface to walk on (that leaves no footprints.).
The mystery of how the rocks leave trails was determined in 2014 by a group of scientists.
The conditions need to be just perfect. The scientists determined that the Racetrack Playa fills with water when it rains. During winter, the water freezes, trapping the rocks in the ice. The next day, as the surface warms up, the ice breaks up. If there is a steady breeze, the wind pushes the rocks over this wet, slippery surface. These rocks can move up to several hundred feet in one day!
VISITOR’S TIP: Always leave no trace and do not enter the Playa if it is muddy, as it can take years for the footprints to disappear. Over the years, surface destruction has occurred by people driving their cars over the Playa. Please respect this location (and all locations in the National Park) so that people who visit after us can enjoy the beauty and biodiversity of our precious natural lands. It is up to all of us to care for our planet.
5) ARTIST’S PALETTE
The next location is the Artist’s Palette. It is located off Badwater Road, south of Furnace Creek.
This is a great alternative if you are looking for a location where you don’t have to walk much. The area is often called “Artist’s Drive,” as it follows a paved road stretching for about 9 miles. You can view the hills right from your car.
The drive to Artist’s Palette winds along the hills with dips in the road, which make for a fun drive. There are great opportunities on the way to the Palette, so don’t hesitate to stop and snap photos along the way.
You reach the Artist’s Palette right around mile 5. The hills are filled with color coming straight from the earth. It’s a beautiful sight! The various colors are from the metals and elements in the ground. Park in the car lot and wander up the trail to get a closer and more personal view. It won’t disappoint.
6) DANTE’S VIEW
Some people will say that Dante’s View is the best location to view Death Valley National Park. It certainly offers grand landscapes if that is what you are seeking. The day I visited Dante’s View was very windy and cold. It was about a 45-minute drive from Furnace Creek.
The views are a short walk once you arrive at the car park. If you want to adventure further into the area, there are a few trails to explore.
Dante’s View would be a fantastic location to view either sunrise or sunset.
7) DEVIL'S GOLF COURSE
The landscape here is unforbidding and treacherous. A glimpse of the salt fields with the sharp and protruding surfaces will not make you want to venture too far into this area. Some people have suffered ankle injuries, cuts, and broken bones.
I mentioned this last as it would not be on my list if I were short on time, but it's a good option if you are looking for another location to photograph.
As they say, it is a place where only the Devil would play golf.
Artist's Palette is located on the drive between Badwater and Furnace Creek.
PLACES TO STAY IN DEATH VALLEY NP
There are several lodging alternatives when you visit Death Valley National Park. Hotels include Stovepipe Wells Village, The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley, and Panamint Springs Resort. There are also some great camping opportunities and a golf course as well!
If you don’t mind driving further and going outside the National Park, the towns of Beatty and Pahrump offer more affordable lodging options.
If you have the time and choose to stay inside the park, 2 to 3 days in Death Valley will give you some good time to explore many locations. But remember, this is a huge National Park and can require a lot of driving.
The National Park website provides more information about Death Valley National Park. It will give you all of the road closures and conditions of the park that you need to be aware of before you visit.
Happy travels wherever the road may lead you!
XOXO
Marla
To view the complete collection of Death Valley photography, visit my Art Shop.