Death Valley National Park is one of the biggest parks in California by sheer size. It is desolate and hot with a beauty that beckons the adventurer to come and explore its majestic desert valley. I have been on weekend trips and day trips here and to even get a taste of the massive park I would suggest at least a weekend. It is out of way from most metropolitan California cities so you might as well make the most of your drive and see as much as you possibly can. Use this guide to plan your trip in the park and select what you are interested in seeing below.

Contents

Historical Sites
Strange & Fun Attractions
View Points
Hikes
Where to Stay
Food
Gas
Map

History

Although the Twenty Mule Teams, prospectors with their burros and lost pioneers represent the extent of human history in Death Valley to most people, it actually started long before and continues today. Native people have been here since at least the end of the last Ice Age. Towns and mining camps have come and gone. Mining companies have moved from harvesting the mineral wealth to developing the valley for tourism. Most recently, Death Valley has become a cherished National Park, visited by humans from around the globe.

Historical Sites

Charcoal Kilns

While not accessible from the main park areas, the Charcoal Kilns on the West side of the park are a beautiful and rugged example of the history in this area. You need a car with good clearance and preferably 4 wheel drive to get to them but the adventure is worth it to see these beautiful kilns. Plus, it is on the way to the Telescope Peak trail head as well.

Harmony Borax Works

Located right next to the main Death Valley campground of Furnace Creek, Harmony Borax Works is an outside museum that features many different pieces of equiptment that were used during the mining history of the area.

Ashford Mill

This quick stop is one of the first attractions you will reach when entering from the Southern entrance. Ashford Mill is a run down set of walls that once processed the ore taken from the surrounding mountains. It isn’t to exciting but its such a short stop that it is worth it.

Strange & Fun Attractions

Racetrack

As one of the most famous Death Valley attractions, the Racetrack is accessible via a 27 mile drive down a four-wheel drive road. It is worth it to see these awesome rocks and the path they take across the dry river bed but it is not very accessible for most people.

Scotty’s Castle

As the famous Death Valley mansion, Scotty’s Castle is a crazy example of the wealth that came to settle in this barren desert. Under the idea of gold to be found in Death Valley, two business people from Chicago made this mansion. Tours are available of the inside or you can simply wander around and take it all in on your own.

Badwater Basin

As the lowest point in the United States, Badwater Basin is one of the most famous spots in Death Valley. This short walk takes you out onto the salt flats and below sea level to experience this unique attraction. No trip to Death Valley is complete without a visit.

Lost Burro Mine

You would really only go to Lost Burro Mine if you are driving a four-wheel drive car out to the Racetrack as it is way off the beaten path. Because of that though, it is a great, relatively untouched example of the Death Valley mines. I loved exploring here on my trip.

Teakettle Junction

Like Lost Burro Mine above, Teakettle Junction is another spot that you would really only go to with a four-wheel drive vehicle. It is a famous spot where people leave teakettles as a way of marking that they came through. I enjoyed photographing it.

Devil’s Golf Course

The Devil’s Golf Course in Death Valley, is another easy stop with a huge payoff. The volcanic like rocks go as far as the eye can see and they add another unique view to the weird Death Valley landscape. I wasn’t sure what to make of this place but it sure was a fun place to explore.

Artist’s Palette or Painted Canyon

This drive off the main road in Death Valley is a great spot to see the colorful hills of Artist Palette. It really is crazy how colorful this area is, there are hues of greens, purple and yellow all over the mountainside. You can get out at the small parking lot near the end of the drive and see it up close as well.

Mesquite Flat Dunes

Death Valley has a few different dunes, but Mesquite Flats is the most accessible. Located right in the middle of Death Valley, you can park your car in the lot and walk up to the dunes or just admire them from afar. Remember, hiking in the sand can be pretty brutal.

View Points

Zabriskie Point

Even though Dante’s View is the most popular view point in the park, Zabriskie Point at the top of Golden Canyon is still pretty awe inspiring. From here you can see the Red Cathedral and the golden mountain below. It is one of my favorite spots to view the sunset.

Hikes

Golden Canyon

One of the best hikes in Death Valley is the short Golden Canyon walk. It is only a few miles each way but it takes you through rugged canyons that truely get the golden name when the sun starts to set on them. This is also where many Star Wars scenes were filmed as well.

Ubehebe Crater

Located near Scotty’s Castle and the Racetrack, Ubehebe Crater can be as long or as short as you want it to be. You can walk all the way along the rim or even walk down into the crater itself. If hiking is not your thing though, you should at least stop by to take in the beautiful views from afar.

Natural Rock Bridge

My pictures of the Natural Rock Bridge do not do it justice. This short hike leads you to a massive rock bridge that you have to see with your own eyes. This trail head is located at near Golden Canyon and Devils Golf Course so it is an easy stop.

Telescope Peak

On the West side of Death Valley, Telescope Peak is an 11,000 foot peak that looks down on the Badwater Basin below. It is a fantastic hike with amazing views but make sure to have a high clearance four-wheel drive car if you even attempt to make it to the trail head.

Where to Stay

Furnace Creek Inn

As the only hotel in the center of the park, Furnace Creek Inn is both beautiful and expensive. It has all sorts of amenities like a pool and health facilities but it will cost a significant amount as there is no competition.

Furnace Creek Campground

This is where you will normally find me when in the park. The campgrounds are big and well laid out, plus they are right in the center of the park. Other then in the heat of summer, this is a good place to stay.

Food

Furnace Creek Ranch

Since I usually camp, Furnace Creek Ranch is my go to for food. They have a cafe, steakhouse and a saloon. There is also a small grocery store that has a few different items if you are looking to buy a snack or something to cook at your campsite.

Furnace Creek Inn

Furnace Creek Inn also has a lobby bar and a dining room (dress code for dinner) if you are looking for a more upper class meal in the park.

Gas

Furnace Creek

In the interior of the park there is only one gas station. Make sure to fill up when you are there if you need it as there literally is nothing else around. Yes, because of that the prices may be crazy expensive.

So there is my list of stops in Death Valley, feel free to let me know what I left off in the comments below. You can also see all of these posts on a map below as well.