10 Best Things to See and Do in Death Valley

Death Valley comprises 5,270sqmi (13,649sqkm) of astounding wilderness. Along the backcountry road known as Artists Drive, discover rolling volcanic and sedimentary hills painted in a multitude of colors by earth’s natural calcium carbonate, manganese and copper. It’s possible to view this scene via the scenic loop or the parking lot (no hiking required). We’ve also picked out this fantastic tour which includes entry to Death Valley National Park, pick up from Las Vegas, entry to the best local wineries and sunset views leading into stargazing! – Culture Trip

Sitting 282ft (86m) below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in the United States. The landscape features vast salt flats that make up a serene white blanket spanning for miles. The area usually remains quite hot, and sometimes, a temporary lake is visible after heavy rainstorms.

A short hike through Natural Bridge Canyon – 2mi (3km) round trip – will bring you to a remarkable rock formation carved by water millennia ago. The trailhead is reachable by taking the unpaved Natural Bridge Road, a route fairly easy to follow. However, keep in mind that rocky terrain fills the trails.

At 5,475ft (1,669m) high, Dante’s View has one of the most incredible views in all of Death Valley. Sweeping panoramas include the Panamint Range towering over Badwater Basin, a vision best seen at dawn.

Just east of Stovepipe Wells lies the largest dune field in the park. Rolling hills of sand – crescent-, linear- and star-shaped – stretch to the horizon, with mountains as a backdrop. Mesquite trees provide pockets for wildlife, while cracked clay that was once an ancient lakebed lies on the floor. Don’t forget water, as this part of the valley is extremely hot most of the year.

The mystery of the Racetrack – named for the “moving” rocks that appear to slide across the dried lakebed – has piqued the interest of researchers since the 1940s. The stones that tumble from the surrounding mountains to the Racetrack’s floor can weigh as much as 700lb (318kg), and some have traveled as far as 1,500ft (457m). Many theories have been suggested over the years about how the stones move, but a recent study found that when there’s some moisture and it’s cold enough to freeze, floating ice forms, pushing the rocks. To reach this destination, a 4×4 vehicle is required.

A half-mile (0.8km) wide and 600ft (183m) deep, the Ubehebe Crater is the largest of the maar volcano clusters, created by a volcanic explosion about 300 years ago. When hot magma traveled to the surface and reached the groundwater, the heat turned the water to steam; it expanded, with the pressure released as an explosion of gas and steam. Dark cinder now covers the entire area, reached from the parking lot or northern end of the Racetrack (via the old miner’s trail at the Grandstand).

This location is the most famous viewpoint in Death Valley, overlooking the surreal landscape of Furnace Creek. The badlands are most spectacular at sunrise and sunset when they take on orange, gold and brown hues. Get an up-close view along the Badlands Loop (be sure to return on the same track). For something more strenuous, hike the nearly 8mi (13km) Complete Circuit, or connect to other trails that lead to Red Cathedral, Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch.

During spring, blooming wildflowers blanket most of the park. It’s one of the biggest attractions in the valley, with thousands of people heading here during March when blooming is at its peak. For the most remarkable displays, visit the southern reaches of the park (Badwater, Furnace Creek), where yellow buds cover the desert floor.

The Devils Golf Course – “only the devil could play golf on such rough links” – is a vast stretch of salt rock that has been heavily eroded by the wind, forming jagged spires across the floor. First-timers should listen carefully for sounds of pops and pings coming from the ground; it’s the sound of billions of tiny salt crystals exploding as they expand and contract in the desert’s heat.