Death Valley NP
Death Valley National Park is a vast desert realm straddling California and Nevada, famed for extremes of heat, elevation, and scenery.
Learn More
Death Valley NP
Death Valley National Park spans the California–Nevada border, offering a landscape of salt flats, dunes, canyons, and snow-capped peaks. From Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, to Telescope Peak, at 11,049 feet, the park covers an extraordinary elevation range. The terrain shifts from salt flats and rolling dunes to deep canyons and alpine scenery that bloom after rare rains, all under a sun that has recorded Earth’s hottest temperatures (134°F in 1913). The best seasons to explore are fall, winter, and spring when road access and hiking are most enjoyable; summer visits require meticulous planning, hydration, and shade. Highlights include the Mesquite Flat Dunes, the viewpoints at Dante's View, and the historic Scotty's Castle district, which remains limited to tours while flood repairs continue. Always check current conditions on the park’s site, as heavy rains and floods can close roads unexpectedly.
Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | California / Nevada |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | CaliforniaNevada |
| County | InyoSan BernardinoEsmeraldaNye |
| City | Death Valley |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 36.5 |
| Longitude | -116.8 |
| Maps |
5:37 PM LOCAL TIME
Where to Stay
Death Valley National Park stitches vast desert horizons with luxury oases and rustic outposts, offering a rare base for exploring America’s hottest, starlit wilderness.
Basecamp at Furnace Creek is the park’s lodging hub, home to The Inn at Death Valley and other Oasis offerings, providing proximity to iconic sights like Badwater Basin and the Golden Canyon area. Expect a Four-Diamond experience at The Inn, with lush gardens, a spring-fed pool, and spa facilities, complemented by the more relaxed ambiance of the surrounding Oasis properties. This area serves as the practical gateway for most park explorations, including Furnace Creek Visitor Center access and nearby golf, dining, and spa options.
Stovepipe Wells Village sits in the heart of Death Valley as a rustic concession-run lodging hub with a historic motel, on-site dining, a pool, and an RV park. It’s an ideal base for exploring Mosaic Canyon, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and the park’s western gateway towns, with convenient gas, groceries, and a saloon for evening unwind. The complex has transitioned to a dedicated concessioner to keep park services running smoothly.
Panamint Springs Resort is a small, rustic oasis inside Death Valley National Park’s western edge in Panamint Valley. With historic motel rooms, cabin-style options, tent cabins, and camp/RV sites, it’s a budget-friendly base for exploring the Panamint Range, nearby ghost towns, and the western park entrances. The resort also features a gas station, general store, and on-site restaurant.
The Oasis at Death Valley is a private resort complex housing two distinct hotel experiences: The Inn at Death Valley (Four Diamond) and The Ranch at Death Valley (family-friendly heart of the oasis). The Inn is a crown-jewel property with spa, spring-fed pool, and refurbished casitas, while The Ranch anchors a lively town square with golf, a market, and casual dining.
Death Valley Junction hosts Marta Becket’s Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, a historic, murals-filled lodging experience in Death Valley Junction just off State Line Road. The Amargosa Hotel offers a quiet, artful base with a charming dining room and no TV, designed to immerse guests in desert history and culture.
Map Resources
Death Valley Backcountry Map
Official Backcountry Map for Death Valley National Park showing access roads, wilderness routes, and dispersed camping guidelines.
Golden Canyon & Badlands Route Map
Topographic Trail Map for the Golden Canyon area and adjacent features in Death Valley National Park, with GPS data for the circuit.
Death Valley Junction Topographic Map
USGS Topographic Map (GeoPDF) for the Death Valley Junction region (CA/NV), within proximity to Death Valley National Park.
Death Valley National Monument Topographic Map
USGS Topographic Map (GeoPDF) for the Death Valley National Monument vicinity, CA/NV.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Fri Nov 21, 2025, 2:43 AM