We want to rent a Jeep at Farabee’s, so it seems The Ranch is the best option, but it seems pricey for just 1 night. Yes, you can find that here, but there is so much more to Death Valley National Park than a forbidding desert landscape. If by chance the winter has brought rain, Death Valley is truly an enchanted place to visit. While everyone is arriving in bus loads to Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks, Death Valley still remains rather empty. If you insist, a good warm-weather option is Telescope Peak , the park’s high point at 11,049 feet. At first glance it appears to be a barren wasteland, to be hurried through as quickly as possible. The bright hues you’ll see in this breathtaking spot are created by metals in the ground: Death Valley is home to one of the most captivating geological mysteries in the country. Both seasons bring pleasant temperatures. That means that the gradual sinking or caving in of the “basin” part of the process is more pronounced in Death Valley than anywhere else. We love camping but decided to find a cabin/ hotel instead. The Best Time to Visit Death Valley. Whether you’ve been coupled-up for a while or this is your first trip together, there are lots of activities for partners of all kinds to enjoy together in Las Vegas, including artistic or adventurous... Las Vegas is a city full of activities, events, shows, and concerts, but on top of that, it’s also a great home base for exploring the rest of the Southwest. Cheers, Julie. When you think of Death Valley, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Just get a very early start because of the short daylight in December. Not exactly warm, but these were very pleasant temperatures for hiking and exploring. This place can be full of surprises, and it’s never, ever boring. Death Valley is awesome, isn’t it? The weather is perfect, but crowds will be a little bigger because of the holidays, but it’s still very, very nice. The entire geological history history of the planet is exposed for all to see. If conditions are just right, Death Valley can have spectacular spring wildflowers. A scorching 134°F (57°C) was recorded in Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. Image by Tim Buss via Flickr. See Badwater Basin, Furnace Creek, the Devil’s Golf Course, Ubehebe Crater, and more. Sure, it would be beautiful to see Yosemite or Bryce Canyon with a fresh layer of snow. We’re doing Southern California for 11 days and 10 nights starting September 26, 2019. Can you think of a National Park that has a more intriguing name than Death Valley? Why it’s important to be well prepared for a trip to Death Valley. Canyon Tours is a Las Vegas-owned and operated tour agency that specializes in discounted Grand Canyon tours from Las Vegas. The sweeping curves of Antelope Canyon are at the top of many adventurers’ and photographers’ lists of places to visit. As you say it is very beautiful, and a dream for a landscape photographer. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States: 3.4 million acres of desert vastness. Devil’s Golf Course. I have two teen girls. The alert visitor soon recognizes that there are a lot of things to do in Death Valley. Here’s Why February Is Actually The Best Month To Visit This One Iconic National Park. I’m sure it’s coming soon. Cheers, Julie. Our website uses cookies. We’ve already covered why you should visit Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire. Due to the great weather and the possibility of wildflowers dotting the landscape, spring is by far the most popular time to visit Death Valley. It’s also the lowest, driest, and hottest area in North America. The sights are great, however, I think that I would pick Death Valley. At Racetrack Playa, “sailing stones”—some weighing more than 650lbs—are followed long trails as though they’ve been pushed through the mud. Sense of Self Importance. Required fields are marked *. When it comes to picking out travel destinations in the US, Death Valley National Park is an overlooked destination. This leads to some pretty cool formations—keep reading to learn more. Death Valley National Park has Furnace Creek Inn, Scotty’s Castle, and Harmony Borax Works. Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the lower 48 states, covering an area of over 3,000 square miles. The landscapes are unreal. It’s actually one of the best national parks to visit in the December, because the temperature is cooler and the days tolerable! View all posts by Ria Borja →. If you can, I recommend staying within the park to minimize driving time. The best months to visit Death Valley National Park is November through March. During the late winder/ early spring is ideal. And the lowest and driest place in North America ! But if you are looking to escape the cold winter temps, Death Valley is a good place to go. At over 3 MILLION ACRES, Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States. According to U.S. News, 80% of new year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February—odds only the most daring Las Vegas oddsmakers would bet on. If the spring was wet ( a half inch or more of rainfall), you can rest assured that the valley floor and walls will be covered with wildflowers. If the previous winter brought rain, the desert can put on an impressive floral display, usually peaking in late March to early April. Snow in the canyon has a beauty of its own. Click here to learn more about what to expect during your visit. With hot temperatures in the summer and crowds in the spring, the best time to visit Death Valley while enjoying the natural beauty in late winter. Happy New Year to you all.. this is a great blog! The average high temperature in Death Valley in July and August is 46 degrees (116° Fahrennheit)! Thanks to its proximity to Las Vegas (120 miles) and Los Angeles (295 miles), Death Valley National Park is the largest Dark Sky National Park in the country, according to the International Dark Sky Association. Getting to Death Valley National Park. Unlike most National Parks, the best time to visit Death Valley is during what’s usually considered the “off-season” for other national parks—from late Fall to early Spring. Not only can you drive Death Valley Road, you can also get out and explore the surreal landscape and environment, and experience all of the cool things to do in Death Valley, without falling into heat exhaustion! Death Valley is one of our new favorite spots. Those temps warm up to the 90s in late April and can start hitting 100 in May. But that’s only during summer. This scenic one-way 9 mile loop travels through multi-hued volcanic and sedimentary hills before passing by Artist’s Palette, where you’ll spot some of the most colorful formations. We almost went there this past December (but the Grand Canyon, Arches and Canyonlands won). All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. My husband and I have been (pre kids) and your description of the remoteness is spot on! What are your recommendations for lodging in or around Death Valley? And that’s a good thing, if you go now. But for more adventurous souls, the name Death Valley can inspire a sense of wonder and mystery. One reason to visit Death Valley in November is that it is slightly cooler! Find out how to get there and more on our blog. It’s one of my personal favorite national parks. If you’re searching for an excursion beyond the limits of Las Vegas but don’t have the time to journey to the Grand Canyon, don’t despair. Her favorite place to visit is (unsurprisingly!) We’re staying at Ranch at Death Valley for two nights. We were planning for Egypt this winter break but couldn’t pull it through. In the summer, however, average temperatures easily climb above 100 degrees, so be sure to pack extra water and wear appropriate clothing. While some areas are generally devoid of life (such as salt pans and some of the lower slopes of the surrounding mountain ranges), other places where water is more abundant, like the higher mountain ranges, are home to thriving communities of wildlife and vegetation, including: Every spring, cooler and wetter winter weather enables wildflowers to flourish throughout the park, even at Furnace Creek (the hottest part of the park—and the hottest part of the continent). If there’s been a dollop or two of winter rain, wildflowers will be abundant in early spring. While fall is a very popular time to visit Death Valley, it is usually slightly less crowded than the spring. I was in a Jeep and I wouldn’t recommend doing it any other way. In the summer, it gets very hot. Enjoy California! Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. SPRING is one of the most popular time to visit Death Valley. You can also climb Telescope Peak, which reaches a height of 11,043 feet (3,366 meters), the highest mountain in the park. The best time to visit Death Valley is either in spring with blooming wildflowers or in autumn with clear skies. Ria is a Customer Experience Manager at Canyon Tours and an avid lover of the outdoors. Lack of Mobile Phone and Internet Coverage. We were here at the very end of December. Besides warm as well as sunny days, the possibility of springtime wildflowers is a big attraction. Winter Break is a nice time to be here. (visiting in December) Lots of great places for families to explore. I don’t see that covered by you? Here are 9 reasons why you should visit Death Valley: Located approximately 130 miles from Las Vegas, Death Valley is only about a 2 hour drive from the Strip. If you are in here during the springtime, you may even get to see Death Valley blanketed with wildflowers. If the previous wintertime brought rainfall, the desert could place on an excellent flower display screen, … What causes the colorful terrain? Our base after that is Desert Springs and we will do a one full day visit to Joshua Tree National Park. The region was formed about three million years ago through a geological process called “Basin and Range”, which occurs when the Earth’s crust stretches and develops faults to accommodate the extension. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Death Valley will provide areas where you can look across a landscape that stretches out for miles and see nothing but the barren and lifeless desert floor. If you’re planning to visit in the spring, call the park ahead of your visit so you can time your trip just right. We stayed at Stovepipe Wells and it was fine. Death Valley holds the record for the hottest place on earth. Why so hot? A barren desert landscape, crawling with scorpions and rattlesnakes? Cheers, Julie. All rights reserved. For most people, this is the most pleasant time to visit Death Valley. https://zilcsak.com/blog/death-valley-national-park-best-of The annual bloom peaks in March. Looks very cool! For example, temperatures in Death Valley in December usually range between 64 and 70ºF. 20 Epic Things to do in Death Valley National Park, 2 Amazing Days in Death Valley: Our Itinerary from Las Vegas, How to Plan a Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas, How to Visit Racetrack Playa in Death Valley. When Is The Best Time To Visit Death Valley? You can literally see for miles in all directions. In fact, it’s so hot that many calculations of the highest daily temperatures in the country omit it as a matter of course. Best Time to Visit Death Valley in the Spring Spring in Death Valley is the best time to see the abundant wildflowers. The weather is perfect—days mostly in the 70s and 80s, nights in the 50s and 60s. It’s close to Las Vegas. More Information for Your Trip to Death Valley and California: Your email address will not be published. Go see the mysterious sailing stones at Racetrack Playa, take in the panoramic vistas at Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View, walk on sand dunes, explore the mudstone hills of the Badlands, climb down into a caldera, go on scenic drives, and gaze up at the stars at night. It’s on our list…it looks amazing. Check out this post with lots more info on what to do. If rain falls in several storms throughout the winter and spring the flowers may bloom in late March and early April in the park's low elevations, April and May at mid elevations, and into June in the mountains. If you are in here during the springtime, you may even get to see Death Valley blanketed with wildflowers. We think that is the best time to visit Death Valley, and loved our trip to the park in March. Around February, crowds are still thin, but wildflowers are starting to bloom and the temperatures are on the mild side of hot, giving you the best of all worlds. While you may not see literal maids a-milking or lords a-leaping, if you’re planning a Christmas getaway to Las Vegas, chances are you’ll spot some ladies dancing and more than your fair share of gold... Escaping the cold with a late-fall trip to Sin City? Next up: Death Valley. The average winter temperature hangs around a balmy 65-76 degrees – perfect for people looking for a warm escape from their regular snowy climate. The resulting dry air causes higher average temperatures and low precipitation levels. It may not be as close as nearby Red Rock Canyon (which you can actually see from the Strip), but its proximity to Sin City makes Death Valley an easy day trip, whether you‘re looking for a kid-friendly adventure or to escape the action of the Strip after a night on the town. In some places, the landscapes look downright bizarre. Now that you guys are there, I am looking forward to your itinerary blog about it. It has been such a great experience and I highly recommend it. In fact, the entire American Southwest is an adventurer’s dream. Fall is the best time to visit Death Valley for camping. Fall and winter are also great times to visit Death Valley, as the temperature and crowds both tend to taper off. Every NYE, the entir... © 2020, CanyonTours.com. 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