Death Valley National Park

📘 Park Overview

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

🌤 Weather Information

SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.

🚗 Directions

There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.

Images

badlands bathed in pale pink and orange light from the setting sun

The warm light of sunset covers the badlands at Zabriskie Point.

Credit: Ronald Gaddis

Morning light on the badlands below Zabriskie Point.

Zabriskie Point is a popular place to view sunrise over the badlands.

Credit: NPS Photo

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at -282 feet.

Credit: NPS photo

a sunset overlooking a valley filled with white salt

A mile above the salt flats in the valley below, Dantes View provides breathtaking vistas.

Credit: NPS / Jan Vanderlay

pink lupine flowers with an orange and black butterfly

Higher elevations provide a respite from the heat in this alpine ecosystem.

Credit: NPS / J. Jurado

nine 25 foot tall rock beehive structures

Nearly a century and a half old, these are some of the best preserved kilns in the western U.S.

Credit: NPS / J. Jurado

a field of yellow flowers with a mountain

About once a decade, rains at the right times can lead to a rare superbloom!

Credit: NPS / Kurt Moses

Summers are infamously hot, as for 6 months of the year temperatures above 120 degrees are regularly recorded.

Credit: NPS / J. Jurado

There are numerous canyons to explore across this vast park.

Credit: NPS / J. Jurado

The warm light of sunset covers the badlands at Zabriskie Point.

Credit: Ronald Gaddis

Activities

Horse Trekking
Canyoneering
Wildlife Watching
Park Film
Astronomy
Food
Shopping
First Person Interpretation
Mountain Biking
Golf
Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Front-Country Hiking
Bookstore and Park Store
Backcountry Camping
Birdwatching
Backcountry Hiking
Biking
Road Biking
Car or Front Country Camping
Camping
Living History
Guided Tours
Hiking
Museum Exhibits
Stargazing
Flying
Junior Ranger Program

Topics

Industry
Animals
Mountains
Fish
Asian American Heritage
Incarceration
Japanese-American Internment
Tortoises and Turtles
Endangered
Trails
Unique Species
Women's History
Archeology
The Gold Rush
Birds
Scenic Views
Foothills, Plains and Valleys
Native American Heritage
Night Sky
Wilderness
Mining
Westward Expansion
Dunes
Astronomy
Geology
Fossils and Paleontology

Operating Hours

Sunday

All Day

Monday

All Day

Tuesday

All Day

Wednesday

All Day

Thursday

All Day

Friday

All Day

Saturday

All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

This permit allows all persons traveling with the permit holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.

$30.00

Entrance - Motorcycle

This permit allows persons traveling on one motorcycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.

$25.00

Entrance - Per Person

This permit allows a single individual traveling on foot or individuals traveling on one bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.

$15.00

Commercial Entrance - Per Person

1 - 6 Passenger Vehicle: $25 + $10 per person. In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

$10.00

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

1 - 6 Passenger Vehicle: $25 + $10 per person In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

$25.00

Commercial Entrance - Van

7 - 15 Passenger Vehicle: $75 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

$75.00

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

16 - 25 Passenger Vehicle: $100 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

$100.00

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

26 + Passenger Vehicle: $200 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

$200.00

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

Non-commercial Groups (e.g., Scout groups, church groups, etc.) entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per-person for each person on board, not to exceed $200.

$15.00

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Submit your waiver through the link below at least one month prior to your visit.

$0.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

This pass allows all persons traveling with the pass holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) or those on a motorcycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish for 12 months from the month of purchase.

$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, Apr 29

Sunny

High: 71.8°F | Low: 48.4°F

Humidity: 24%

Wind: 5.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 8

Sunrise: 05:57 AM

Sunset: 07:35 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (93%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 47.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Apr 30

Sunny

High: 76°F | Low: 64.6°F

Humidity: 16%

Wind: 12.8 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 8.8

Sunrise: 05:56 AM

Sunset: 07:36 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (97%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 56°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, May 1

Sunny

High: 77.3°F | Low: 64.2°F

Humidity: 17%

Wind: 8.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 9.3

Sunrise: 05:55 AM

Sunset: 07:37 PM

Moon: Full Moon (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 57.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Special Events Friday 2/6-Sunday 2/8 Caution

Expect increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic due to the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival and a running event. Please drive with caution.

More Info

No Boating on Lake Manly (Badwater Basin) Information

Launching or recovering any type of watercraft is prohibited. No flotation devices, including kayaks, paddleboards, or similar equipment, are permitted anywhere in the park.

More Info

Debris on Roads Caution

Flash floods on 12/24, 1/1 and 1/3 deposited gravel on some roads and created drop-off on road shoulders. Drive with caution.

Gas Pumps at Panamint Springs Resort are Closed at Night Information

Gasoline is available at Panamint Springs Resort from 7am-9:30pm, daily. Gas is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells 24hrs.

Some roads and campgrounds closed Information

Several park roads and campgrounds are closed due to flash flooding on 12/24, 1/1 & 1/3. Some open roads have damaged shoulders and debris. Drive with caution. Click "more" and scroll down for detailed information.

More Info

Planned Power Outage 3/10/26 Information

A planned power outage will occur starting 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday March 10th, likely lasting until 4:00 p.m. in Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. Some amenities may be unavailable such as internet and gas. Please plan accordingly.

Park Events

Golden Canyon Ranger-led Hike

Hike with a ranger through one of Death Valley’s most popular and beautiful canyons. Easy walk with one small scramble. Approximately 1 mile. Bring water, a hat and hiking shoes.

Location: Meet at the Golden Canyon Trailhead Parking Lot

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Junior Ranger Ceremony

Be sworn in as an offical Death Valley Junior Ranger! Bring a completed Junior Ranger Book to earn a badge.

Location: Furnace Creek Visitor Center

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Badwater Basin Ranger Talk

Visit an extreme part of the park and learn about the unique forces that create the lowest, hottest and driest place in North America.

Location: Badwater Basin

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Sand Dunes Ranger Walk

Stroll through the Death Valley Wilderness with a Park Ranger. Explore living and non-living parts of this unique landscape.

Location: Meet at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Parking Lot

Date: Jan 1, 2026 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Harmony Borax Works Ranger Program

Learn about fascinating mining history in Death Valley. 20 mule team wagons, borax, fortunes and more! Easy 1/3 mile walk on a paved path.

Location: Meet at Harmony Borax Works Parking Area