Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park: salt flats, eroded badlands and sand dunes in one of the hottest and lowest places in the United States.
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Death Valley National Park lies in eastern California, on the Nevada border, in the Mojave Desert. At about 3.4 million acres, it is the largest national park in the lower 48 states. Its lowest point, Badwater Basin, sits 282 feet below sea level. Most travelers come for the salt flats that crack into white plates, the eroded colors of Zabriskie Point and the rippled Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The Timbisha Shoshone have lived in the valley for generations, and their history is part of the park's story.
The park suits road trips built around scenic drives. Distances between sights are long, services are limited, and summer heat is dangerous, so the best months are October through April. Plan at least two days: one for Badwater Basin and the canyon drives, and one for the dunes, starting early or going out in the evening light.
Death Valley National Park in five
- Go between October and AprilSummer highs at Furnace Creek regularly pass 110°F (43°C), and heat illness is a real risk on even short hikes. Winter days are mild, so plan outdoor walks for the cooler months.Best time to visit Death Valley
- Pay the same fee as a US visitorDeath Valley is not one of the 11 parks with the $100 nonresident fee. The park takes cards and digital payment only, no cash, so settle the vehicle fee by card.The $100 park fee, explained
- Fill the tank before you enterFuel exists at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs but costs more than outside the park. Distances are long and cell signal is patchy, so download offline maps first.Things to do in Death Valley
- Choose a Las Vegas day trip or a night in the parkLas Vegas to Furnace Creek is about 2 hours each way. A day trip covers Zabriskie Point and Badwater; one night inside adds sunrise and a clear night sky.Death Valley day trip from Las Vegas
- Link it with Las Vegas or Joshua TreeDeath Valley slots into a road trip between Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Mammoth Lakes. Rooms inside the park are limited, so book early for February to April.Las Vegas travel guide
Need to know
- Entrance
- $30 per vehicle for 7 days; no $100 nonresident fee Read more
- Permits
- None for day use; backcountry camping needs a permit
- Season
- Open all year; best October to April, very hot May to September
- Nearest town
- Furnace Creek inside the park; Beatty, Nevada outside
- Getting there
- Las Vegas about 2 hours; Los Angeles about 4.5–5 hours by car
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Wildflower chanceFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wildflower chance
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, wildflowersMarchClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wildflowers
- AprilClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low19°Hot by middayAprilClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot by midday
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low23°Too hot for hikesMayClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Too hot for hikes
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh41°Low28°Extreme heatJuneClear
Poor
- High
- 41°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh44°Low32°Hottest monthJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 44°
- Low
- 32°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest month
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh42°Low30°Extreme heatAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 42°
- Low
- 30°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Extreme heat
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh37°Low25°Still very hotSeptemberClear
Poor
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Still very hot
- OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Cooling, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooling, clear
- NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Mild, busyNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busy
- DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Cool, clear nightsDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear nights
Average daily high and low in Furnace Creek, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Death Valley National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 25%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Death Valley National Park
01:57 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°14°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue23°16°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed24°17°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu25°17°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri26°19°0%Friday: Clear. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat26°18°0%Saturday: Clear. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun27°19°0%Sunday: Clear. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 01:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Death Valley National Park
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Rules for Death Valley National Park, checked
Death Valley National Park FAQ
Is Death Valley worth visiting?
Yes, if you go in the cooler months and give it at least a full day. The salt flats, dunes and colored hills look unlike any other US park. In summer the heat limits you to short stops from an air-conditioned car.
How many days do you need in Death Valley?
One long day covers the main viewpoints on a loop from Las Vegas. Two days lets you add sunrise at Zabriskie Point, the dunes and Dante's View without rushing. Add a third only for hiking or remote roads.
Do foreign visitors pay the $100 fee at Death Valley?
No. Death Valley is not one of the 11 parks that charge non-US residents the extra $100 per person. You pay the normal $30 vehicle entrance fee, valid for 7 days, by card or digital payment.
Can you visit Death Valley in summer?
You can drive through, but heat above 110°F (43°C) makes hiking dangerous. Stay in the car for short stops, carry plenty of water and avoid the middle of the day. Winter and early spring are far better.
Is there food and fuel in Death Valley?
Yes, at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs, but at higher prices and with limited hours. Fill up and buy water before you enter, especially on the long roads to the north and west.