My first trip to the USA became a moment that changed my life. I was amazed by the scale of the country, the contrast of its cities, and the incredible energy of the people. Since then, I have explored America from coast to coast: driven legendary highways, hiked national parks, and discovered hundreds of places you won't find in typical guides. Today I create personalized USA itineraries so you can experience the real America – vibrant, dynamic, and unforgettable. Let me design a trip that fits you perfectly.
Death Valley National Park
Nestled in California’s desert landscape, Death Valley National Park stands as a testament to nature’s extremes. Renowned as the hottest, driest, and lowest point in North America, this park features blistering temperatures, expansive salt flats, and surreal rock formations. It promises an unforgettable adventure for the intrepid explorer.
Planning Your Trip
Best Time to Visit
Due to Death Valley’s extreme climate, timing your visit is crucial. The cooler months of late fall, winter, and early spring are ideal, with more manageable daytime temperatures and less sweltering heat.
How to Get There
Death Valley is accessible from Las Vegas and Los Angeles. From Las Vegas, drive about 2 hours west on Highway 95, then east on Highway 374. From Los Angeles, head north on Highway 14 and turn east onto Highway 190. Both routes offer scenic views and a glimpse of the park’s rugged beauty.
Entrance Fees and Passes
The standard entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days. For access to all National Parks, consider the America the Beautiful Pass, which is valid for one year.
Key Roads in the Park
- California 190 (CA-190): Runs from east to west, providing access to many key attractions.
- Badwater Road: Connects Furnace Creek to Badwater Basin and is essential for visiting famous sites.
- Artist’s Drive: A scenic loop leading to the vibrant Artist’s Palette.
- Scotty’s Castle Road: Leads to the northern park but is currently closed for repairs.
- Racetrack Valley Road: A challenging dirt road to the Racetrack, known for its moving stones.
Check road conditions before your visit, as closures due to flood damage can affect access.
Top Attractions and Activities
Hiking
Explore Death Valley’s rugged terrain on foot with these hikes:
- Salt Valley Interpretive Creek: An easy boardwalk trail leading to small salt flats.
- Darwin Falls: A three-mile trail to a waterfall oasis.
- Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral: A three-mile hike through stunning rock formations.
- Mosaic Canyon: A four-mile trail featuring narrow canyons and smooth rock formations.
- Sidewinder Canyon: A challenging five-mile hike with the park’s only slot canyons.
Autotouring
Enjoy scenic drives in Death Valley:
- Badwater Road: Leads to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America.
- Artist’s Drive: Known for colorful hillsides at Artist’s Palette.
- The Racetrack: A high-clearance dirt road offering views of moving stones.
- Twenty Mule Team Canyon: A scenic route through badlands.
Viewpoints and Natural Wonders
Death Valley offers numerous breathtaking viewpoints:
- Badwater Basin: The lowest point in North America.
- Devil’s Golf Course: Known for its unusual salt formations.
- Zabriskie Point: A dramatic viewpoint over the Death Valley Badlands.
- Artist’s Palette: Famous for its vibrant, multi-colored hillsides.
- Dante’s View: Offers panoramic views, ideal for sunset.
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Towering dunes in the park’s central region.
- The Racetrack: Known for stones that appear to move across the desert floor.
Since 2015, our website has specialized in individual planning of unique routes, taking into account personal preferences and desires. Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation. During the trip, we are available for you by phone via WhatsApp. Our personal service provides information from A to Z, taking into account many small details that can become a decisive factor on the way from a wasted trip to an unforgettable vacation. Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.
Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise and sunset in Death Valley are magical. Popular spots include Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The unique lighting during these times enhances the park’s dramatic landscapes.
Stargazing
As an International Dark Sky Park, Death Valley offers some of Southern California’s best stargazing. The clear, dark skies are perfect for night sky observation, whether independently or through a ranger-led program.
Detailed 2-3 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Badlands and Badwater Road
Explore the Badlands and drive along Badwater Road. Visit Badwater Basin and the Devil’s Golf Course, and enjoy the sunset at Zabriskie Point.
Day 2: Stovepipe Wells Area
Focus on the Stovepipe Wells area. Hike through Mosaic Canyon and explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Catch sunrise here before visiting other nearby sights.
Day 3 (Optional): The Racetrack or Alternative Routes
If you have a high-clearance vehicle and an extra day, drive to The Racetrack to see the moving stones. Alternatively, explore other scenic routes or revisit favorite spots.
Where to Stay
In-Park Hotels
Options include Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells Village, offering varying levels of comfort and amenities.
Campgrounds
Death Valley features several campgrounds, such as Furnace Creek, Sunset, and Texas Springs. Make reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Practical Tips
Safety in Extreme Conditions
Carry ample water, sunscreen, and a hat. The desert environment can be harsh, with sudden temperature changes.
What to Bring
Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and clothing suitable for temperature fluctuations.
Getting Around
Be aware of road conditions and closures. High-clearance vehicles are necessary for some areas, especially backcountry roads.
Unique Natural Phenomena
- Moving Stones in The Racetrack: Witness the mysterious movement of stones across the desert floor.
- Salt Formations at Devil’s Golf Course: Explore unique salt formations stretching across the landscape.
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Enjoy the sweeping vistas and shifting sands of these iconic dunes.
Photographic Opportunities
Capture Death Valley’s stunning landscapes with tips for shooting in challenging conditions. Best locations include sunrise and sunset spots like Zabriskie Point and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
What we propose Emma Heidi Take all the stress out of planning your trip! With our experts, you can create the perfect itinerary for you – complete, comfortable, and tailored to all your dreams, wishes, and needs. We take care of every little detail, so you can simply focus on enjoying your journey. We’ve been designing personalized itineraries since 2015, and over the years we’ve created thousands of custom itineraries for happy clients. Save time, avoid confusion – we do the work for you. Our service saves you weeks of searching, reading, comparing, and complicated planning. Instead of wasting endless hours – you receive a ready-to-use, accurate and clear itinerary. A tailor-made itinerary – built just for you. Your itinerary is personally designed based on our experts’ real field experience and genuine feedback from hundreds of travelers – including hidden discoveries and insider tips that don’t appear in any travel guide. Smart accommodation selection – often saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We help you choose verified and recommended places to stay, checking availability for your exact travel dates. Sometimes we suggest hotels not “in the center,” but in safe, convenient, and highly strategic locations – which can significantly reduce travel costs and save you even thousands of dollars. We’re by your side even during the trip. We stay with you throughout your vacation – providing professional help whenever needed. If the weather changes, there’s a strike, a local event, heavy crowds, or any unexpected situation – we are here to update, guide, and adjust your itinerary in real time. Easy-to-use itinerary – with direct navigation links. Your itinerary includes direct Waze / Google Maps links – no need to search for parking addresses, no stress, no mistakes. Just tap – and go. Want to know if it’s really worth it? Take a look at the experiences of travelers who built their personal itinerary with us. Click here and let’s start building the itinerary that will save you time, money, and stress – and turn your vacation into perfection. Of course, your first inquiry is completely free – with no commitment whatsoever. How it works
Customer Experience Manager
Service cost: from only $420. (Special price for short itineraries up to 5 days). Clients tell us the itinerary saves them costly mistakes, fines, wrong choices – plus exclusive discounts on car rentals, better-priced accommodations, and money-saving local tips.
Latest articles
Kaprun Dam (Hochgebirgsstauseen)
Kaprun Dam (Kaprun Hochgebirgsstauseen) is a high-altitude reservoir complex set […]
