Are you looking for a Death Valley Itinerary? We just came back from this amazing Las Vegas to Death Valley road trip, and we are sharing with you our detailed itinerary for a fun trip to Death Valley National Park.
Death Valley National Park is a stunning natural wonder located in the Mojave Desert at the border of California and Nevada. This vast and varied landscape is home to sand dunes, unique geological formations, wildflowers, and spectacular sunsets.
While many people might think that a trip to Death Valley is better suited for adventure-seeking adults, it’s actually an excellent destination for families with kids (when it’s not too HOT).
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2 Days in Death Valley Itinerary RECAP
Ready to explore Death Valley? Below is our 2-day itinerary for Death Valley. If you are driving from Las Vegas, you might want to adapt the first day as it may be a bit busy.
- BONUS Day: Drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley
- Day 1: Death Valley National Park sign, Furnace Creek visitor center, Badwater Bassin, Artists Drive and Artist’s Palette
- Day 2: Harmony Borax Works Trail, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Zabriskie Point
If you have 3 days in Death Valley:
- Day 3: Rhyolite Ghost Town
Day 1 of 2 Days in Death Valley
Start your first day at the Death Valley National Park sign.
Death Valley National Park Sign
There are three (3) Death Valley National Park signs, one when you arrive from California and two when you come from Nevada (but there is technically only one sign in Nevada; the other one is in California!). For this itinerary, we’re driving from Las Vegas, so the Death Valley National Park sign you’ll see will be the one near Death Valley Junction.
The sign is 13.5 miles (22 km) before the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. There are some parking spaces, so take your time and take a few family pictures.
Note: The sign in Nevada is located near Beatty. The other California sign is located on California Highway 190 at the edge of the Darwin Falls Wilderness Area, east of Olancha, California.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Then, enter the park and stop at the Visitor Center. You’ll need to get your entrance tickets at the visitor center, as they are no gate check to enter Death Valley National Park. If you have an America is Beautiful Pass, bring it in and get a validation ticket.
At Furnace Creek Visitor Center, you’ll also grab the Junior Ranger Booklets for your kids. It’s always a great way to add some educational activities while visiting national parks. Plus, they have a great activity at the start of the booklet about safety and precautions when visiting Death Valley.
Your kids will also enjoy visiting the Borax Museum. The Borax Museum is located inside the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and is a great place to learn about the mining history of Death Valley. Plan for 30 to 60 minutes to walk through the small museum and read some of the interpretive signs.
Don’t forget to go back to a visitor center and see a ranger at the end of your trip, so the kids can show their booklet to a Ranger and get their badge.
Badwater Bassin
Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. It sits at 282 feet below sea level. It’s a vast salt flat.
Start your visit on the Badwater Basin Boardwalk. This section is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Then, you can continue on the Badwater Bassin Salt Flats trail. It’s a flat trail is is not officially marked. You can walk as far as you’d like.
💡 PRO-TIP – If it’s not too hot when you visit, try to walk a bit further to get away from the crowds (but always have plenty of water with kids, sunscreen, and sun hats).
Badwater Basin is a unique landscape that offers a surreal experience for families. Kids will enjoy walking on the salt flats and exploring the otherworldly environment.
It is a great place to take photos with the family.
💡 Note: There is no designated trail, but we advise visitors to choose a path where others have already walked to minimize damage
You could also do the Golden Canyon Trail. The trailhead is at the start of Badwater Road (before Artist Drive). It’s a moderate 2.9-mile (4.7-km) out-and-back hike. You’ll walk through a colorful canyon filled with unique rock formations. It is a great place to explore with the family.
Artists Drive and Artist’s Palette
End your day with the scenic Artists Drive. This scenic drive is a must-see for families visiting Death Valley. The drive takes visitors through a one-way road that winds through a canyon filled with unique rock formations. It’s a 9-mile (14.5-km) drive.
At Artist’s Palette, you can enjoy the view from the parking lot. But I highly recommend walking the trail. It’s a short 0.3-mile (0.5 km) trail, but a lot of uphill. The view of Artists Pallet at the end is worth it.
It’s best to visit at sunset to see all the colors the Artist’s Palette offers.
💡 Note: This scenic drive is a paved road with a 25 ft (8 m) length restriction. The view at Artists Palette can be seen from the parking area.
Day 2 of 2 Days in Death Valley
Start your day at Harmony Borax Works Trail.
Harmony Borax Works Trail
Harmony Borax Works Trail is an easy 0.5-mile hike. But more than being a nice little hike to do with the kids, it’s a great way to learn about the area’s mining history.
The trail leads to the remains of the Harmony Borax Works, where visitors can see the old mining equipment and structures. Take your time to read the interpretive signs along the trail.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is a vast dune expanse that offers a unique landscape for families to explore. The dunes stretch for miles; it’s a great playground for kids.
The sand dunes at Mesquite Flat were formed by wind-blown sand that accumulated over thousands of years from the surrounding mountains and hills. The dunes constantly change and shift as the wind moves the sand around, creating new patterns and shapes.
You can walk around, climb the dunes, and maybe even try sandboarding. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is a great place to try sandboarding. Kids will love sliding down the dunes on a board or sled.
💡 PRO-TIP: Bring LOTS of water. The temperatures can be extremely hot during the day, and there is little shade (let’s be honest.. NO shade).
Also, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are home to sidewinder rattlesnakes. So be careful. They are venomous. This type of snake moves sideways across the sand by lifting its body off the ground and using its two sideways-moving loops to propel itself forward. It helps the snake to move quickly across the loose sand without sinking in.
If you visit the dunes in the morning, you’ll probably see their tracks in the sand.
Zabriskie Point
End your visit to Death Vallet National Park at Zabriskie Point. You can’t miss it. There’s a big parking lot and it will probably be filled with people.
Zabriskie Point is an iconic Death Valley viewpoint. It’s a great location for viewing sunrise and sunset, so you might want to drive back there during your stay for sunrise or sunset.
From the parking lot, it’s a 0.4 mile (0.6 km) out-and-back little stroll to the viewpoint. You can also explore a bit more around.
Fun Fact: The spectacular views from Zabriskie Point are some of the most photographed in Death Valley National Park
3 Days in Death Valley Itinerary
You can discover a unique ghost town if you have one extra day in Death Valley.
Start your day by doing a hike you might not have had time to do. You can also stop at the visitor center to show the Junior Ranger booklets to a ranger for the kids to do their Ranger’s pledge and receive their Death Valley National Park badge.
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Make your way toward Betty Junction and then follow the exit of Death Valley National Park. You’ll then stop at Rhyolite Ghost Town.
Rhyolite Ghost Town is an abandoned mining town just outside Death Valley National Park. It offers a unique glimpse into the area’s history and is a great place to explore with the family. We visited a few gold rush towns in California and it’s always a lot of fun with the kids.
You can find several remnants of Rhyolite’s glory days. Some of the walls of the 3 story bank building are still standing, as is part of the old jail. The train depot (privately owned) and the Bottle House are one of the few complete buildings left in the town.
Las Vegas to Death Valley Road Trip: Stops Along the Way
Death Valley is located 149 miles (249 km) away from downtown Las Vegas. There are a few interesting stops to do along the way:
- Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
- Wineries in Pahrump
- Amargosa Opera House
- Desert National Wildlife Refuge
Here is an alternative Las Vegas road trip visiting Grand Canyon National Park instead.
Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Death Valley Trip
How Far Is Death Valley From Las Vegas?
Death Valley National Park is located at the border of California and Nevada. It’s 149 miles (249 km) away from downtown Las Vegas. It will take you about 2h30 to reach Death Valley if you don’t stop along the way.
At the end of this article, I’m giving you a few fun places to stop on a Las Vegas to Death Valley road trip.
When to Visit Death Valley National Park?
The best time to visit Death Valley National Park with kids is during the year’s cooler months. The summer months can be extremely hot, with temperatures regularly reaching well over 100°F.
Try to plan your trip for the fall, winter, or early spring, when the temperatures are milder, and the weather is more comfortable for outdoor activities.
We visited Death Valley the first week of April, and it was already pretty hot. The first day was great with temperatures around 85-90°F(which is still pretty warm for early April…. it was still snowing in the Canadian Rockies). But the second day, the temperature was around 100°F and they were expecting 110°F the following day.
How Many Days in Death Valley?
The number of days to spend in Death Valley depends on the activities you plan to do and the level of exploration you prefer.
If you want to visit the main highlights of Death Valley and do some hiking or sightseeing, then 2-3 days would be sufficient.
Where to Stay in Death Valley National Park?
There are a few options for lodging within the park. I would not recommend staying outside the park since the closest towns are not that close.
You can opt for camping or staying in a hotel.
When we visited, we stayed at the Texas Spring Campground. It was great with the kids since they could have fun on the hills around the campground. Otherwise, The Ranch at Death Valley is a great option for a hotel. It’s located in Furnace Creek.
Safety Precautions in Death Valley
Safety is paramount when visiting Death Valley National Park, especially when traveling with kids. You need to be aware of the potential hazards of the park, such as:
- extreme heat,
- dehydration,
- flash floods, and
- wild animals.
Stay on designated trails and carry lots and lots of water. Also, plan your hikes early in the morning to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Final Thoughts: Death Valley Itinerary
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Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.