What to do in Death Valley, CA

Death Valley National Park is the continental United States’ largest park. It’s also the hottest, driest and lowest. Despite harsh conditions, the park’s more than 3 million acres (1.3 million hectares) aren’t simply desert plains. Find mountains, canyons, sand dunes, extinct volcanic craters and even palm trees and wildflowers.

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a useful resource and jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding Death Valley National Park. Drop in to the visitor center’s adjoining museum and learn about the region’s cultural and natural history before heading off on your adventure around the park. Join ranger-led tours, watch an informative film about the park or pick up maps and brochures so that you can plan your journey.

Snow-white crystals of salt fill the immense pan of Badwater Basin, a crater-like salt flat in the middle of the valley. Flanked by dusky-pink mountain ranges and purple-hued ridges, Badwater Basin is a dreamlike destination. Explore the moonscape saltpan on foot for the chance to say you’ve walked across the lowest point in North America, at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is a spectacular natural phenomenon in the heart of Death Valley. It consists of dunes 100 feet (30 meters) high that offer unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. Notice the ever-changing patterns carved into this sandy landscape.

Look out across the colorful sculpted landscape at the foothills of the Black Mountains from Zabriskie Point. Enjoy the vast scene of undulating badlands, which ripple across mudhills, gullies and mountains. In the distance, notice the gleaming white expanse of saltpans in the main valley. Made famous by the Antonioni-directed film of the same name, Zabriskie Point is a dramatic introduction to Death Valley National Park when entering from the east.

The Devil’s Golf Course is a landmark site in the mystical Mojave Desert. According to the National Park Service guidebook in 1934, the surface is so rough that “only the devil could play golf” on it. Marvel at the expansive saltpan, one of the key features of Death Valley National Park and a fascinating example of the region’s otherworldly landscape.

The story of boom-time prosperity begins at Harmony Borax Works, a historic ore-processing plant in Death Valley National Park. Explore the preserved remains of the old refinery and learn about the region’s mining history. See an example of the 20-mule team wagons that became icons for the industry.

The Charcoal Kilns are among Death Valley National Park’s most significant historical and archaeological landmarks. Dating back to 1877, these stone-constructed kilns were used to turn lumber into charcoal, which was a valuable resource to the region’s mining operations. Admire the intriguing conical design of these structures, which are believed to be the best surviving examples of their kind in the western states.

Experienced and beginner hikers can enjoy the trails that crisscross the Golden Canyon and its surroundings, blessed by moderate slopes and stunning views. Even though this is a popular route, the trail itself is rarely crowded. The path is easily customizable, with trips ranging from a simple, 90 minute-long in-and-out of the canyon itself to more difficult 4-hour treks past the area’s many natural landmarks. Lace up your shoes, put on your hat, bring a big bottle of water and plunge in for an up-close look at Death Valley.