Discovering Solitude in Death Valley National Park
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Over 1,100,000 people visited Death Valley National Park last year. People can find solitude by choosing when to visit, and where to hike.
January, February, and March were extremely busy compared to past years. Visitation in August, September, and October was about half of normal levels; many park roads were closed due to flash flood damage. Visitation picked up in November, and the park had its fourth-busiest December ever.
The largest park in the lower 48 states, Death Valley National Park has 3,400,000 acres for people to explore. This means that even during the busiest times, people can find avoid crowds by choosing less-popular hikes.
The park is busiest during spring breaks and winter holidays (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Martin Luther King Junior Day, and Presidents Day. The park has very low visitation between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and in early January.
During busy periods, lodging at Stovepipe Wells Resort, Panamint Springs Resort, and The Oasis at Death Valley are often fully booked in advance. Many of the park’s campgrounds fill, but space is usually available in Sunset Campground, near Furnace Creek
Death Valley Tours:
1-3 hour visit to the park – Must See
- Artists Palette – This scenic vista offers a stunning glimpse into Death Valley’s colorful volcanic past.
- DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK Zabriskie Point – Experience the stark beauty of Death Valley at this iconic vista overlooking badlands and salt flats.
- DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK Badwater Basin – The lowest point in North America is a surreal landscape of vast salt flats. The basin sits 282 feet (86 m) below sea level where a temporary lake may form after heavy rainstorms.
Half-day Trip- Include some of these unique locations!
- Harmony Borax Works – The stories of borax (white gold) and the famous 20-mule teams come to life at this historic borax processing site.
- Dantes View – Considered one of the best scenic vistas in the park, Dantes View provides a birds-eye view of Death Valley.
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – Death Valley’s best-known dune
- Salt Creek – Discover the elusive Pup fish on this easy boardwalk stroll through Death Valley oasis
Longer Visits- Add these more remote destinations to your adventure itinerary
- Rainbow Canyon – A favorite stopping spot of Death Valley’s beloved priest, Father Crowley Vista Point affords incredible views of Rainbow Canyon and Panamint Valley.
- Ubehebe Crater– Discover Death Valley’s explosive past at this volcanic crater.
- Wildrose Charcoal Kilns– Ten beehive shaped structures used to produce charcoal needed for Death Valley mining operations in the late 1800s.
- Red Cathedral – this hike behind Zabriskie Point is straight out of a star wars scene. Brilliant colors and rock erosion.
- Darwin falls – a beautiful Oasis waterfall on the West edge ofthe park. A short 30 minute walk ends in this canyon Oasis. (No Swimming please )
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