How to Spend the Perfect Two Days in Death Valley
Death Valley is one of the most unique areas in Southern California and should be on every bucket list! Picture this: multi-colored hills, salt flats, sand dunes, and craters. And yes, it is as beautiful as it sounds!
When I visited, I was in awe of how unique the landscapes were in Death Valley. I had no idea how much of a variety the national park had. I loved spending my days in the park hiking through canyons, to the top of sand dunes, and along paths through multi-colored mountains. Death Valley quickly became one of my new favorite national parks!
Although you can spend a few days exploring everything Death Valley offers, you can see most must-see attractions within two days. Two days in Death Valley gives you plenty of time to visit the southern and northern sections of the park. And trust me, you will want to explore both areas because the landscapes are stunning.
If you want to plan an incredible 2-day itinerary in Death Valley, you are in the right place. This guide has everything you need to know about spending the perfect two days in Death Valley!
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Tips for Visiting Death Valley
When most people think of Southern California, they think of beautiful, sandy beaches. Death Valley is the complete opposite with its salt flats, sand dunes, and multi-colored hills, but it is just as beautiful as any other place in Southern California!
I was blown away by the landscapes in Death Valley because it had such a variety. I loved visiting the salt flats and then driving up the road to experience its beautiful multi-colored hills. Death Valley is easily one of my new favorite national parks, so I know you will love visiting it!
Important Things to Know
- Be prepared for the heat. Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest places in the world! I recommend visiting Death Valley between late fall and early spring for the best temperatures. The park can have temperatures over 110 degrees in the summer, making it not the best time to visit. We visited in March, and it was still hot! Regardless of when you visit, you must prepare for the heat with plenty of water, food, sunscreen, and moisture-wicking clothes.
- Start your day early. Because Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, I recommend starting your day early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. Hiking in the morning or late afternoon is great to avoid the hottest time of the day. Since Death Valley receives over one million visitors a year, starting your day early in the morning allows you to explore the park with fewer crowds, too!
- Pack sunscreen and hiking gear. Most of the areas in Death Valley have little to no shade, making it crucial to pack and wear sunscreen. When we visited, we reapplied sunscreen midday to help prevent us from burning. The sun is relentless in Death Valley! You should also have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials.
- Pack food and water before entering the park. The park does not have many food options, so I recommend getting everything you need for your trip before entering the park.
- Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. If you are visiting more national parks on your trip or within the year, I highly recommend buying the American the Beautiful Annual Pass. It allows you into any national park and federal recreation land for a year!
- Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
How to Get to Death Valley
Death Valley is in Southern California on the border of Nevada, and the closest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, which is a two-hour drive to the Furnace Creek entrance in Death Valley. The drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley is easy and beautiful, and we loved the stunning views we had during the entire ride.
You can also fly into Los Angeles International Airport. The drive is a little longer (about 2.5 hours), but it is easy and beautiful.
Where to Stay
A few towns near Death Valley have accommodations if you plan to spend a night near the park. The closest is Furnace Creek, but these accommodations are very expensive because they are the closest to the park.
The two next best places to stay are Beatty and Pahrump. They are about an hour from the park, but they have everything you need for your stay and are more inexpensive than the accommodations in Furnace Creek.
Best Death Valley Hotels:
The Inn at Death Valley (expensive)
The Ranch at Death Valley (expensive)
Best Death Valley Campgrounds:
Two Days in Death Valley Itinerary Overview
Day 1:
Sunrise at Dantes View
Zabriskie Point
Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral
Natural Bridge
Artists Drive and Artists Palette
Sunset at Badwater Basin
Stargazing
Day 2:
Sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Mosaic Canyon
Darwin Falls
Sunset Ubehebe Crater
The Perfect Two Days in Death Valley
Ready to spend an epic two days in Death Valley? One of the best things about this itinerary is you can swap the days or reverse the things to do each day. This 2-day itinerary is flexible, allowing you to do what is best for you!
The first day of this Death Valley itinerary has more things to do because these attractions are close to one another. We saw all of these things in the one day we visited, so you can easily do that, too!
I recommend starting your days early to have the most time to explore everything Death Valley offers. And watching the sunrise and sunset in the park is incredible.
Day 1 in Death Valley
The first day in this 2-day Death Valley itinerary explores the most popular areas in the park. All of these attractions are within a short drive of each other, allowing you to see everything this section of Death Valley has to offer. Get your sunscreen and cameras ready for an epic day!
Sunrise at Dantes View
One of the best places in Death Valley for sunrise is Dantes View. Dantes View offers spectacular views of the salt flat and surrounding mountains, and it will quickly become one of your favorite areas in the park! It is one of the first attractions in the park when entering from the east, making it the perfect way to start your two days in Death Valley.
The drive to Dantes View is 13 miles one way from CA-190, so it is not quick. I recommend giving yourself plenty of time before sunrise to make the drive so you get to the viewpoint in time.
You can enjoy the beautiful views from the parking lot or hike along the many trails in the area. I recommend hiking the 1-mile round trip trail to the nearby viewpoint because it is stunning! No matter what area you choose, you will love watching the sunrise cast a golden light over the surrounding area.
I recommend taking your time on the drive out of Dantes View because the drive is stunning! You will love the landscape surrounding the road.
Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Death Valley and the perfect place to visit after sunrise. If you do not want to drive to Dantes View for sunrise, I highly recommend watching the sunrise from Zabriskie Point. It is one of the most beautiful places in the early morning, and you will likely be among only a handful of people there.
Zabriskie Point has a paved 0.4-mile round-trip walk from the parking lot to an incredible viewpoint overlooking the badlands. Once at the top, you can relax at the paved overlook or explore the nearby trails. Since we did not want to hike anything too long, we decided to walk a short distance on a few nearby trails, which was fun.
If you want to enjoy a fun hike around the badlands, I recommend the 2.7-mile round-trip Badlands Loop! This trail is stunning and offers unique views of the badlands.
If you are up for a longer hike, you can connect Zabriskie Point to Red Cathedral, the next thing to do on your 2-day Death Valley itinerary. The 6.4-mile round-trip hike is strenuous, but the stunning views are worth it. And it is a great way to explore the entire area between Zabriskie Point and Golden Canyon.
Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral
One of the most beautiful hikes in Death Valley is Golden Canyon Trail. I recommend hiking it in the morning to avoid the midday heat since the trail has little shade. The midday heat in Death Valley is tough to hike in!
The 3-mile round trip hike from Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral travels along the canyon floor, giving you an up-close and personal view of the canyon walls. The trail gradually gains elevation as it brings you towards the base of Red Cathedral. There is a bit of scrambling before Red Cathedral, but once you arrive at the top, you get breathtaking views overlooking the badlands and surrounding mountains.
The Natural Bridge
As you approach midday, I recommend taking a break and finding a nice place to enjoy lunch in the shade. We had a cooler with us and went into Furnace Creek to eat lunch before heading to one of my favorite short hikes in the park.
After lunch, you can make the drive towards the Natural Bridge. The drive to the trailhead is unpaved, but we did not have any issues driving on it. The park does a wonderful job maintaining the road, and we saw all types of cars driving on it to the trailhead.
The Natural Bridge is a stunning geological feature, standing at 35 feet that you can walk under, and the 0.6-mile round trip hike to the Natural Bridge along the canyon floor is beautiful. I loved walking along the canyon floor at the base of the massive stone walls. I felt small in the best way!
The trail continues after the Natural Bridge, but we turned around after it. A few people we passed said it was not worth the extra mileage. No matter how long you hike on the trail, you will love exploring the Natural Bridge!
Artists Drive and Artists Palette
Now, it is time to explore the most beautiful scenic drives in Death Valley. I would argue that Artists Drive is the best scenic drive you will explore in your 2-day Death Valley itinerary. It was my favorite area in the park, and I know you will love it!
Artists Drive is a 9-mile, one-way scenic drive with breathtaking multi-colored hills. The entrance to Artists Drive is just after the road to Natural Bridge and offers the best views in the park. I recommend stopping at every viewpoint because, trust me, the views at each are worth it.
Although Artists Drive has many breathtaking viewpoints, two spots quickly became my favorites. The first viewpoint is just over a mile on Artists Drive and offers incredible views overlooking the surrounding multi-colored hills. Although you can enjoy the views from the parking lot, I recommend walking up a short and steep trail to the viewpoint. The views from the top are stunning! We had some crazy wind when we visited, and this viewpoint was exposed, making the wind even crazier. Just something to keep in mind when you visit!
My second favorite is the iconic viewpoint, Artists Palette (one of my favorite viewpoints in Death Valley). You can enjoy the views overlooking Artists Palette from the parking lot, but I recommend walking around the trails to get an up-close and personal experience with the multi-colored hills.
Badwater Basin
Now it is time to end your epic first day in Death Valley with an incredible sunset at the lowest place in North America! Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level and has a huge salt flat with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. And the best part? It is an easy walk from the parking lot.
Badwater Basin is one of the hottest places in Death Valley, and I recommend visiting for sunset because you avoid the midday heat. It is also an incredible sunset spot!
One of the best things about Badwater Basin is that you can walk as little or as far as you want to experience the salt flats. If you do not want to walk onto the salt flats, you can enjoy an easy stroll on the boardwalk to the Badwater Basin sign.
In early 2024, Badwater Basin flooded because of heavy rains, making the salt flat look different from the images we saw online. We could also see lingering water in the distance, which was cool!
Stargazing in Death Valley
Since you are spending a night near Death Valley, I highly recommend stargazing in the park. Since there is little light pollution, you can enjoy stargazing pretty much anywhere in Death Valley. Some of the best places for stargazing are Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, Ubehebe Crater, and Dantes View. You will be in awe of the stunning views of the night sky and Milky Way if you have a clear night!
Day 2 in Death Valley
The final day of this 2-day Death Valley itinerary explores the northern sections of the park. These attractions are further away from most of the park, but I promise, they are worth the drive! Get ready to enjoy unique landscapes and stunning views!
Sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
It is time to start your second day in Death Valley by watching the sunrise from one of my favorite areas in the park! I had no idea Death Valley had sand dunes until I found a stunning photo of them while creating my itinerary. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are about a half-hour drive north of the rest of the park, but the drive is worth it to watch the sunrise!
Although you can see the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes from the parking lot, I recommend hiking to them. Hiking on sand dunes is fun but not as easy as it looks. Although there is no official trail, you will see where many people hike on the sand dunes and can follow their paths.
If you do not want to wake up for sunrise, do not worry! The views of Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and surrounding mountains are breathtaking no matter what time of day you visit. You can also flip this itinerary and visit the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for sunset.
Mosaic Canyon
Mosaic Canyon Trail is a quick drive from Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and one of the most popular hikes in Death Valley. The Mosaic Canyon Trail begins off a two-mile one-way road near Stovepipe Wells, and although the road is well-maintained, it might be difficult for larger campers and RVs.
The 3.5-mile round-trip trail travels along the canyon floor, through slot canyons, and up rock scrambles while providing incredible views. But the trail is not easy. The terrain and rock scrambles make the hike strenuous, but if you are up for a fun hike, you will love Mosaic Canyon! I recommend hiking it in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
Darwin Falls
If you have time, I recommend making the drive to Darwin Falls. It is about an hour west of Mosaic Canyon, but how could you not want to visit a waterfall in Death Valley?! If you decide to explore Darwin Falls, you will have about a 1.75-hour drive to the final destination on your itinerary. Since you do not have too much on your itinerary this day, you have plenty of time for the drive. But if you do not want to make the long drive, skip Darwin Falls!
The two-mile one-way dirt road to the trailhead is near Panamint Springs on the western edge of Death Valley and is a bit tough to drive but doable in most vehicles. The road washes out easily, so I recommend checking in with a park ranger about road conditions before heading to Darwin Falls.
The 6.7-mile round-trip hike to Darwin Falls is one of the most unique hiking trails in Death Valley because its landscape does not match everything else in the park. The trail is in a pretty lush landscape, especially as you approach Darwin Falls. The waterfall feels like a little oasis hidden in the desert, making it one of the most unique hikes in Death Valley!
Sunset at Ubehebe Crater
And last but not least, it is time to explore a crater. Death Valley has a crater?! Yup! And let me tell you, it is stunning. If you can, I highly recommend visiting for sunset!
Ubehebe Crater is one of the least visited places in Death Valley because it is pretty far from most attractions. It is about 1.75 hours from Darwin Falls and 1 hour from Mosaic Canyon. But I recommend adding it to your Death Valley itinerary because it is a beautiful and unique area, making you feel like you are on Mars.
Ubehebe Crater is 1 mile across and 600 feet deep, so it is huge! And the best part? You do not need to walk far to see into the crater. You can enjoy the views from the parking lot, but I recommend hiking to get an up-close and personal experience with the crater.
I recommend walking around the rim of Ubehebe Crater because it is a stunning 1.8-mile loop. You can also hike to the crater floor to get incredible 360-degree views of Ubehebe Crater from inside.
I know it is a long drive from most must-see attractions, but it should be on every Death Valley itinerary! It is also a great place for stargazing since there is little light pollution.
If you want to plan an incredible 2-day itinerary in Death Valley, this guide is the perfect place to start planning. It has everything you need to know about spending the best two days in Death Valley!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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