Whether it is the heat, the rocks, the remoteness, or the isolation — there is something special about Death Valley National Park. If you only have a few days to see this national park, you should narrow your focus to one of these nine areas: Zabriskie Point and Golden Canyon (this is where you will find Badwater Salt Flat), The Racetrack and Darwin Falls (where you can see a moving geologic marvel), Badwater Basin and Artist’s Palette (for views that look like Mars), West Side Road (this is a great drive for pictures and also has a lot of hiking), Mesquite Sand Dunes and Wildrose Canyon (where climbing and caving are encouraged), Racetrack Road (a tough drive for experts only) and Titus Canyon Road which cuts through the Panamint Mountains. Or if you want to see all of Death Valley National Park on your trip then we recommend combining route 190 with Pahrump, Nevada (NV-163).
Death Valley is one of the most unusual national parks you will ever see in the United States. This vast expanse of wilderness is definitely not for everyone. You must be prepared for extremes in temperature, extremely rugged terrain and a host of insects as well as wildlife that can be dangerous if you are unprepared. If you are ready though, there are rewards to be had that cannot be found in any other national park anywhere in the world.
With over three million acres of land, nearly two million offered for recreational activities and fifteen Wilderness Areas, Death Valley National Park has something to offer everyone. However, there are a few activities that stand out from the crowd—the kind that can’t be replicated anywhere else. From exploring the lowest point in North America to hiking the deepest canyon in North America, Death Valley National Park offers a plethora of amazing adventures. So what are you waiting for? Get up, get out and enjoy one of these once in a lifetime experiences right here!
The first time I visited Death Valley National Park, I was awestruck. There’s a feeling that you have the entire world to yourself — no one else around. It’s hard to explain, but it feels surreal. This vastness and emptiness is definitely at odds with what I’m used to in Houston, TX (population: 2.29 million), so it’s a stark reminder that there are still some places in America that remain wild and close to nature despite encroaching urbanization.
