Welcome to Dying Valley, one of many largest, most assorted and craziest nationwide parks to go to within the US! Winter is definitely the most effective time to be there – so there you go, right here is our information to visiting Dying Valley in winter 2023 and past!
**Article up to date on Nov twenty eighth, 2022**
Should you’ve been following us on this weblog, or on our social media, you’ll most likely know we spent two months on our US Southwest road trip of a lifetime, between January and February 2020.
Throughout our journey, we visited a number of US nationwide parks in winter. We hiked in Zion, marvelled on the snowy landscape of Bryce Canyon, toured the desert in Big Bend, obtained misplaced amid the dunes in White Sands, and extra.
Visiting nationwide parks within the coldest months of the 12 months got here with disadvantages – the chilly climate, fewer hours of daylight, and typically partial closures.
Nonetheless, benefits greater than outweighed issues – the nationwide parks we visited in winter have been very, very quiet. Visits have been at all times an pleasurable expertise, with no crowds and queues.
Death Valley National Park doesn’t match into this sample. Winter is excessive season in Dying Valley – the one season within the 12 months the place temperatures are literally bearable, and you’ll go to and even hike with out dreaming of aircon.
Which means visiting Dying Valley in winter must be deliberate forward. You should reserve lodging upfront in case you plan to remain within the nationwide park, and determine the place to go – did I point out Dying Valley is big? It’s truly the largest US national park in the Lower 48!
After visiting Dying Valley in winter, we’ve put collectively this information to make planning simpler for you. Tell us if there are any information you want us to incorporate!
Don’t have time to learn all of it? This full-day tour of Death Valley NP from Las Vegas contains all the principle sights!
Issues to Know About Dying Valley in Winter
Dying Valley Winter Climate
Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth, due to a mixture of lack of water, elevation beneath sea degree, and rocks within the valley ground and surrounding mountains, trapping the warmth within the melancholy.
Dying Valley can also be the place the place the hottest temperature ever was recorded on Earth – a whopping 134°F (57°C), recorded at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913.
In summer time, Dying Valley is really scorching. Temperatures prime 120°F (49°C), and solely dip into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C) at night time. Even getting out of a automobile to stroll to a viewpoint turns into onerous because of the extreme warmth – mountain climbing is close to unimaginable except you’ve gotten a loss of life want.
In distinction, winter is a really nice time to go to Dying Valley. Daytime temperatures are within the 70s°F (between 20-25°C), dropping simply above freezing at night time. You possibly can hike with out breaking right into a sweat after 5 seconds, and there’s no want to essentially fear about rain – it hardly rains in Dying Valley, in winter or in any other case.
Does it Ever Snow in Dying Valley?
Briefly, the reply isn’t any. It solely rains a mean of three/4 days in Dying Valley all year long, and provided that temperatures are properly above freezing often, the possibilities of sufficient snowfall to build up on the valley ground are very small certainly.
Nonetheless, don’t overlook that not all of Dying Valley Nationwide Park is beneath sea degree.
The park does certainly embody Badwater Basin, the bottom place in North America, at an elevation of 282 toes (86 m) beneath sea degree. Nonetheless, there’s an enormous elevation distinction between the bottom and highest level within the park – Telescope Peak, 11,043 toes (3,366 m) excessive.
You’ll certainly discover snow on Telescope Peak and surrounding mountains, however not on the valley ground the place you’re prone to spend the vast majority of your time in Dying Valley in winter.
Learn how to Get to Dying Valley
Dying Valley Nationwide Park is in southeastern California, about 150 miles west of Vegas and 185 miles north of Los Angeles.
The park measures 140 miles from north to south, and it’s between 5 and 15 miles broad. Because of this, distances to Dying Valley largely rely upon the place within the park you’re planning to go. There are two fundamental entrances – Panamint Springs to the west and Dying Valley Junction to the east.
Driving time from Vegas is roughly two hours, and also you’ll be getting into the park from Dying Valley Junction.
Guests coming from California will certainly enter from Panamint Springs. Driving time from Los Angeles is about 4 hours and distance is simply over 200 miles, relying the place in LA you’ll be leaving from.
From San Francisco, driving time is 8 hours, and distance is round 450 miles. We advocate breaking the journey to go to Sequoia Nationwide Park, which can also be wonderful in winter!
Getting Round Dying Valley in Winter
Given its sheer dimension, the most effective (and solely, actually) approach to get round Dying Valley is by automobile. Most Dying Valley factors of curiosity are situated near Freeway 190, crossing the park from north to south, and on a one (lengthy) day you may take a look at most of them.
It’s additionally attainable to cycle around Death Valley, however please don’t try this in some other seasons in addition to winter, and provided that you’re actually match and skilled.
Is Dying Valley Busy in Winter?
Dying Valley’s excessive season is in winter, so chances are you’ll look forward to finding crowds. You’ll be happy to know that is not often the case! The park is so huge, and there are such a lot of issues to do and see, that even on a weekend or public vacation guests are prone to be scattered throughout.
So, Dying Valley in winter is nice, AND you’re unlikely to be caught in crowds. That is actually purpose so as to add it to your California itinerary!
Finest Dying Valley Winter Hikes
One of many fundamental causes to go to Dying Valley in winter is that it’s the one time in the course of the 12 months when mountain climbing is definitely attainable.
Having mentioned that, please remember that temperatures can soar actually rapidly in winter as properly – the day we visited in mid-Feb, it obtained to the mid-80s (about 20°C) in the course of the day, and a seemingly straightforward hike turned strenuous actually rapidly.
Don’t overlook to have loads of water with you, and keep away from mountain climbing in the course of the day – at all times desire morning or late afternoon.
Zabriskie Level Path
Distance 0.3 miles / Issue Simple / Time 30 minutes
So far as Dying Valley hikes go, that is most likely the best, a brief path resulting in a viewpoint the place you may get pleasure from sweeping views over the Badlands part often called Zabriskie Level.
The hike is paved and doesn’t current technical difficulties, however it’s uphill and within the blazing solar, so it could be onerous if it’s scorching. Don’t overlook to take your water bottle!
If you wish to hike deeper into the Badlands at Zabriskie Level, there’s additionally a 2.7 mile loop departing from the perspective, taking you near the rock formations.
A cease in Zabriskie Level is included alongside this sustainable 7-day tour of American National Parks – don’t miss it!
Darwin Falls
Distance 2.1 miles return /Issue Simple / Time 1.5 hours
Wait a second, isn’t Dying Valley Nationwide park a desert? So, what’s a waterfall doing there?
You’ll simply should take this straightforward but rewarding hike to discover this oddity, a small however perennial waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation in the course of the most well liked and driest place in North America!
To see it, drive to the Darwin Falls parking zone simply off Outdated Toll Street, solely 3 miles from Panamint Springs. The path is simply a mile every method however it requires a little bit of scrambling and creek crossing. You’ll see vegetation improve step by step, till you discover the falls proper in entrance of you on the finish of the path.
Badwater Basin Crossing
Distance 6.5 miles a technique / Issue Intermediate / Time as much as 4/5 hours
This path lets you cross the huge melancholy often called Badwater Basin, which additionally contains the bottom place in North America.
Complete size is 6.5 miles point-to-point, and it does get type of tedious after some time, so we don’t truly advocate mountain climbing all of it – simply flip again once you get fed up, or else organize for somebody to choose you up.
The path begins on the parking zone alongside Badwater Street, and the primary mile or so is properly overwhelmed, as that is what most individuals hike. After that, the trail will get narrower and fewer clear, till it disappears fully.
It’s onerous to get misplaced because the panorama is sort of open, however don’t underestimate distance. The entire crossing is a full-day affair, and it may well get very popular!
Badwater Basin can also be one of many coolest locations in Dying Valley for stargazing, and winter presents excellent circumstances – this Death Valley day trip includes stargazing, a unbelievable expertise!
Finest Locations to Go to in Dying Valley Nationwide Park
A part of the enchantment of visiting Dying Valley in winter (or some other season, actually) is the unbelievable panorama selection, and the chance to see a number of completely different scenic places inside comparatively brief driving distance.
The next locations can all be visited in sooner or later. I’ve listed them in the identical order we visited them, getting into the park from the east (closest entrance in case you’re driving from Vegas), and ending in Panamint Springs.
Don’t overlook that Dying Valley is big, so observe the identical order to minimise driving time!
This drive might be the excellent itinerary to observe in case you’re in Dying Valley for simply sooner or later. Tell us what you suppose!
Dante’s View
From the east entrance, Dante’s View is simply about half an hour drive away. Should you want to begin your Dying Valley in winter expertise with a bang, Dante’s View is the best place – a viewpoint on a mountaintop at 5,476 ft (1,669 m), overlooking Dying Valley.
It’s the right place to get a sweeping view of Dying Valley Nationwide Park – you may see the whole melancholy proper earlier than you, flanked by mountains. You may also see the shimmering expanse of Satan’s Golf course, which you’ll be visiting in a while.
The ‘Dante’ within the place identify was chosen in reference to Dante Alighieri and the Divine Comedy.
A cease at Dante’s View is included on this small-group tour of Death Valley NP from Las Vegas, the closest city to the park!
Zabriskie Level
20 miles and about half-hour drive from Dante’s Peak you’ll discover Zabriskie Level, probably the most well-known Badlands expanse within the nationwide park, identified for its vibrant rocks.
You possibly can go away your automobile on the parking zone and observe the brief path described above, or head into the Badlands on an extended path to get near the varied rock formations.
The colors are resulting from the truth that the world was as soon as the underside of an historic lake – what you see at present are sediment layers, worn away by hundreds of thousands of years of abrasion.
Within the early twentieth century, borax was mined in Dying Valley. The final supervisor was Christian Brevoort Zabriskie, after whom the placement was named. You might also keep in mind the identify from Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1970 movie, Zabriskie Level.
In your method in or out of Zabriskie Level, you might also wish to drive throughout Twenty Mule Group Canyon, a brief, scenic unpaved street by the badlands named after the 20 mule groups that ferried borax away from the mines.
Satan’s Golf Course
The following location is solely 12 miles from Zabriskie Level. Satan’s Golf Course was the underside of a lake – when this evaporated, it left a thick layer of salt, which was eroded over time into sharp, jagged shards, a few of that are over two toes excessive.
The identify comes from one of many early Nationwide Park Service guidebooks, which described the placement saying ‘solely the satan may play golf’ there. These days chances are you’ll certainly discover golfers there making an attempt to play – however be very, very cautious as you stroll round, as these salt spikes are sharp!
A enjoyable approach to go to Satan’s Golf Course is that this 4×4 tour of Death Valley NP on shiny pink jeep!
Artists Palette
Should you thought nothing may beat the colors of Zabriskie Level, suppose once more! There’s a purpose why this sedimentary hill known as Artists Palette – from vibrant pink, to ochre and even aquamarine, mineral layers and erosion have created a real vibrant masterpiece of nature.
To succeed in Artists Palette, you’ll should drive down Artists Drive, a 9-mile scenic drive simply off Badwater Street. Don’t overlook it’s a technique, so that you’ll should drive it south to north, which requires a little bit detour in case you’re coming from Satan’s Golf Course.
Distance from Satan’s Golf Course to Artists Palette is about 15 miles, additionally contemplating the scenic drive!
Badwater Basin
Along with the badlands at Zabriskie Level, Badwater Basin is THE place individuals affiliate with the picture of Dying Valley, a pool of salty water surrounded by salt flats, set in a 200-square mile melancholy.
As we talked about earlier than, Badwater Basin additionally contains the lowest level in North America, at 282 toes beneath sea degree.
There’s an indication marking the spot, which will get crowded with guests – however you simply must hike a little bit additional to have the place to your self, surrounded by the large plains. If you wish to hike all the best way throughout, be sure you learn the mountain climbing informations we described within the earlier part.
Enjoyable reality – as you hike again in direction of the automobile park, you’ll see a signal on a mountain proper in entrance of you marking sea degree, supplying you with an concept of how ‘deep’ you’re!
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
You possibly can’t have a desert with out dunes, proper? Nicely, Dying Valley delivers additionally on this division!
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is finest place in Dying Valley Nationwide Park to see dunes, particularly at sundown. It’s 40 miles from Badwater Basin, not removed from Stovepipe Wells have been it’s also possible to discover lodging, so it’s the splendid conclusion to your 1 day itinerary round Dying Valley in winter.
The dunes can stand up to 100 toes excessive, and in case you’ve by no means hiked on dunes earlier than, you’ll quickly see how onerous it’s! There’s no path as such to observe, however in case you’re visiting for sundown you’ll positively see different individuals, so there’s no want to fret about getting misplaced.
After night time falls, you’ll simply should look as much as see the marvel of a Dying Valley starry sky!
The place to Keep in Dying Valley
Contained in the Nationwide Park
-Tenting: probably the most inexpensive approach to keep inside Dying Valley Nationwide Park is certainly tenting. There are a number of campsites across the park, various when it comes to services, and opening occasions. The campsite at Furnace Creek is the one one that may be reserved upfront, all of the others can be found on a primary come, first served foundation.
You will discover extra information about tenting in Dying Valley on this page on the NPS website.
-The Oasis at Dying Valley Resort: this resort situated in Furnace Creek is certainly the most effective place to remain within the nationwide park.
It’s made up of two separate properties – The Inn at Death Valley, a luxurious lodge relationship again to the early twentieth century with a spring-fed pool, and The Ranch at Death Valley, providing barely extra inexpensive motel-style lodging.
-Stovepipe Wells: that is the second of the three lodging choices contained in the lodge. It’s a Western-themed lodge with a saloon, restaurant and heated out of doors pool.
The principle advantages of staying listed here are that charges are significantly cheaper than the Oasis at Dying Valley, and it’s in an official darkish sky viewing space. There may be additionally an adjoining campsite and RV park.
-Panamint Springs: right here you’ll discover the most budget-friendly possibility inside Dying Valley Nationwide Park.
Exterior the Nationwide Park
The three motels situated inside Dying Valley Nationwide Park are all fairly steeply priced, and replenish quick in winter contemplating it’s additionally excessive season.
For one thing a little extra price range pleasant, chances are you’ll search for motels in Beatty or Pahrump, two Nevada cities about 40 minutes away from the park. Listed here are some choices!
