In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience
Death Valley National Park - California
What to do if you have little time : Badwater
Death Valley is very well named : the valley of death. It's very hot in summer, 95° to 122° Fahrenheit. Avoid hiking during the hottest hours of the day. Carry plenty of water for hiking. When we visited Death Valley, temperature rose up to 118° F ! And this heat is combined to hot winds. Take care when you go out of your air conditionning car. The temperaure gap between inside and outside the car is so important that some people hardly support it.
We recommend to stay here at least one day.
Like every National Parks, a fee is required at the entrance of the park. It's 25$ per vehicle. If you have the pass "America the beautiful", access is included.
Badwater
Depending on wish
2 hours in late afternoon
25$/vehicle
Badwater is a vast expanse of salt, known to be the lowest point in the United States, located 86 meters below sea level.
As with everything in the Death Valley, do not go there in the middle of the day. The best time for the photos is in late afternoon until sunset.
Access : route 190 goes through the park from East to West. At a fork, a few miles south of Furnace Creek, turn south on route 178 that leads to Artist Drive and Badwater. From this fork, drive 16,7 miles to Badwater.
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Artist Palette
No hike
1 hour
25$ par vehicle
Artist Palette is a grouping of rocks of various colors (tan, pink, yellow, green...). To be done in late afternoon to enjoy the best colors.
Access : 9 miles after the fork (see Badwater), turn left onto the one-way loop that goes through Artist Palette.
Sand Dunes
Depending on wish
1 hour
25$ par vehicle
The best time for photos is early morning or late afternoon.
Access : on Route 190 going west, there is parking on the right at the feet of sand dunes.
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To see around
Lodging
We have tested :
Copyright Magali and David BELLEC