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6. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Rolling hills of perfect sand surrounded by beautiful mountains? Yes, please! A walk through these sand dunes is fun for all ages and a spectacular way to experience another diverse landscape in Death Valley.
What You Need to Know
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are not the largest in the park (the tallest dune here stands around 100 feet), but they are the most accessible. You may feel like the parking area is busy, but as you get out on the sand, it’s easy to find some solitude.
For an extra dose of fun, be sure to run down one of the larger dunes. Your inner child will thank you!
Pets are not permitted on the dunes.
Getting Here
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are located 2 miles east of the Stovepipe Wells Village along Highway 190.
7. Golden Canyon
Travel up this beautiful wash full of unique and interesting features. A few places in Golden Canyon were even used as filming locations for Star Wars!
What You Need to Know
Several trail options are available here for hikers of all ages and abilities. To hike up and back only in Golden Canyon, it’s a 2-mile hike. This is the most crowded and popular way to see the area.
I recommend going further along some of the additional trails that shoot off from the end of Golden Canyon. A few options are:
- Adding on the spur trail to the Red Cathedral. This makes your hike 3 miles roundtrip and takes you to the base of the Red Cathedral. In my opinion, you get a better view of the cathedral while hiking in Golden Canyon then when you are on the spur trail.
- Going right at the fork (instead of left toward the Red Cathedral) to hike the Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch Loop. This loop is 4.3 miles roundtrip but takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in this badlands area of the park.
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From Furnace Creek, drive about one mile southeast on Highway 190 until you see the signs pointing to Badwater. Turn right here — this is the Badwater Road. Drive south for 2 miles until you see the turn-off for Golden Canyon on your left. Park here.
8. Dante’s View
Drive high above the valley floor for the most epic view of the Badwater Basin. You’ll love feeling like you’re on top of the world as you gaze down at the salt flats and Telescope Peak in the distance!
What You Need to Know
A trip to this overlook is the highlight of any trip to Death Valley. The road is curvy and narrow in some spots — for that reason, no vehicles longer than 25 feet are permitted.
The temperatures up here are generally much cooler (25 degrees or so) than the temperatures in the valley, so be prepared with jackets if you’re visiting during the winter or spring.
Getting Here
From Furnace Creek, drive 12 miles southeast on Highway 190 (as if you’re leaving the park and heading toward the Death Valley Junction). Look for the signs pointing to the Dante’s View road and turn left. Follow this road for approximately 14 miles to reach the parking area and overlook.
9. Devils Golf Course
These salt formations are so sharp and craggy that “only the devil could play golf” on this surface. A closer look proves that the beauty is in the details — there are some incredible salt crystals here!
What You Need to Know
No hiking is required here, but a little walking around may be necessary to discover some unique formations. The salt is sharp, so take care as you explore this area. Pets are not permitted beyond the parking area.
The Devils Golf Course is located down a dirt road. This road is one of the better dirt roads in the park and should be fine for a sedan.
Getting Here
From Furnace Creek, drive about one mile southeast on Highway 190 until you see the signs pointing to Badwater. Turn right here — this is the Badwater Road. Drive south for 11 miles until you see the turn-off for the Devils Golf Course on your right. Turn here and follow the dirt road for about a mile until you reach the parking area.
10. Darwin Falls
You would probably never imagine such a lush oasis in the middle of this crazy dry desert. Sparkling pools of spring water and a lovely year-round waterfall seem to appear out of nowhere!
What You Need to Know
This trail is 2 miles roundtrip and gains about 275 feet of elevation. Take time to enjoy the awakening of life in this area — birds chirping, leaves rustling, animal tracks in the dirt, etc.
A bumpy ride down a 2.5-mile dirt road is necessary to reach the trailhead. We saw many different types of vehicles make the drive out here, but smaller, low-to-the-ground vehicles may struggle in a few spots.
Please don’t swim in the pools or the falls — this area is a source of drinking water for the nearby community. Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From Panamint Springs (on the west side of the park) drive west on Highway 190 for about a mile. Look for an unmarked dirt road on your left and turn here. Drive down this road for 2.5 miles until you see a small parking area on your right. A sign will mark the beginning of the trail in this parking area.
Honorable Mention: Scotty’s Castle
Scotty’s Castle was once a very popular place to visit in the park but is now closed because of damage from flash flooding. When it reopens, it is definitely worth a visit!
Enjoy your time in Death Valley National Park. Happy trails!
Jayme
We are planning a trip for late June or July and will be driving through this area. Considering we are traveling in the summer, is this a park you would recommend visiting? We usually try to visit parks like this in the winter, but thought we might stop since we are headed that way!
Your content is so helpful and fabulous!
Ash Nudd
You can stop, but I wouldn’t plan on spending much time there! It will easily be over 100 degrees by that point, but it’s kind of a fun experience for a few hours!
Jukie
Hi! I always read your articles before heading to NPs and I greatly appreciate them they have helped my planing a lot. This time I only have one day at the park what would you recommend is a must see at this park?thank you!
Ash Nudd
I would focus on the Furnace Creek area — Badwater Basin, Dantes View, etc. Have fun!
Avic
Hi. We’re going to Death Valley for Thanksgiving Weekend. We are staying at Panamint Resorts in one of their tents. My first stop is at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. I’m pretty central to either taking the freeways 5/14/395/190 or 15/127/190. What can you recommend should be our first
Stop?
Dirt In My Shoes
It really depends on where you coming from to get there…either route is fine in general. But most of the can’t-miss activities are over by Furnace Creek, so if it makes sense to approach the park from 15/127/190 and you have some time for sightseeing on your way to Panamint, that’s probably what I would do so that you can hit a good portion of the main activities on your way to your lodging. Have fun!
Christian
How long would it take to see all these must-see places?
Dirt In My Shoes
2-3 days!
Julie Smith
Used your guides for Arches and Canyonlands and they were very helpful! We’re going to Death Valley and are debating whether to stay at The Ranch or at Stovepipe Wells Inn. Would appreciate your recommendation.
Dirt In My Shoes
If you have three or four days in the park, I’d split your time between the two. Death Valley is huge, so if you plan on spending any time in the north or west parts of the park, Stovepipe Wells is better for exploring some of those outlying areas. If you just have a day or two and plan on sticking to the main sights, Furnace Creek is more central to those!
Apsara Srivats
This is such an informative article. Thanks so much for pulling this together.
Dirt In My Shoes
Of course. Enjoy Death Valley!
Thuy B
We are driving to Death Valley early one morning and staying the night at Pahrump. In what order would you suggest seeing your listed things to see? Thank you
Dirt In My Shoes
You’ll likely want to stay near Furnace Creek and Badwater Basin if you only have a day in the park. I’m currently working on an itinerary for Death Valley that will be released sometime this year :)
Joyce
Do you feel this is a 1 or 2 day park? Planning on heading to Joshua Tree, Death Valley and sequoia national park in April. Have 8 days + 2 travel days. I am trying to figure out how much time to spend at each park (for reference – easy hikes only)
I’ll be heading to grand Teton, Yellowstone and glacier in late June and will be picking up your itineraries to start my planning. I can’t wait!
Dirt In My Shoes
I personally visit this park every winter because I LOVE it, so I’d lean more toward two days. If you’re hoping to work your way through this list, I’d give yourself two days. But if there are only a few things on the list you’d like to do, you could definitely get by with just one day. If you have around eight days for those three parks, I’d probably recommend two in Death Valley, one or two in Joshua Tree, and around three in Sequoia {depending on the weather…it may be a little snowy :)}, plus driving time. Have a great trip!
John Harmon
Thanks for all the great tips. We are from Portland, Or. and are planning a trip next April/May to Death Valley, Great Basin and the Eastern Sierra’s. Were planning on least 2 days in DV and want to see the sights. I know 2 days isn’t enough, but we have other places to go. Heard it was 120 today, WHEW.
Dirt In My Shoes
You’ll be able to see a lot in two days! It will probably be in the 90’s while you’re there…not quite as hot as it is right now :)
Tom
Great. Very informative.
Thanks
Dirt In My Shoes
Thanks Tom!
Karen L
This is definitely one of the more informative articles on visiting the park, with details on how to get to each spot. We’re going in a week so looking forward to it! Thanks for your great post.
Dirt In My Shoes
Thanks Karen! Have a great time!
Bill
You should do a report on Great Basin National Park. I hear it’s great. I’ve never been there but I am this summer. Bonus: there’s not too many places where you can summit a 13,000 foot mountain (Wheeler Peak) on a relatively easy trail hike. You park at the 10,000 foot level and the trail gains 3,000 feet over 4 miles. Like Rocky, that’s one where you have to watch how your body reacts to the altitude, though.
Dirt In My Shoes
I’ve been to Great Basin, but I need to go back before I write a post on it…..I still have more to do there!!
terra @ terragoes.com
Thanks for this round-up! I’m hoping to head out there this fall and explore. It looks like a magical land.
Dirt In My Shoes
Have fun!