How to Spend the Perfect Two Days in Death Valley
If you want to plan the best two-day trip to Death Valley National Park, you are in the right place!
Death Valley is one of the most unique areas in Southern California and should be on every bucket list! When most people think of Southern California, they think of beautiful, sandy beaches, but Death Valley is the complete opposite.
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 Death Valley's unique landscapes, and I had no idea how much variety the national park had. I loved spending my days hiking through canyons, to the top of dunes, and along paths through multi-colored hills. Death Valley quickly became one of my new favorite national parks!
Although you could spend a few days exploring everything it has to offer, you can see most highlights in just two days. Two days give 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.
I created this guide to include everything you need to know about spending the perfect two days in Death Valley. Get ready for an incredible adventure!
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What to Know Before Visiting Death Valley
Death Valley is easily one of my new favorite national parks, so I know you will love visiting it. But there are a few things you should know before going!
- Be prepared for the heat. Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest places in the world, with temperatures over 100 degrees in the summer. When we visited in March, it was still hot, especially midday. I recommend visiting between late fall and early spring for the best temperatures, but regardless of when you visit, you must prepare for the heat with plenty of water, food, moisture-wicking clothes, and sunscreen.
- 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 allows you to explore the park with fewer crowds, too!
- Pack proper hiking gear and sunscreen. You should have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, and a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water. Most of the areas in Death Valley have little to no shade, making it crucial to wear sunscreen, too. When we visited, we reapplied sunscreen midday to help prevent us from burning.
- Bring food and water into the park. The nearest city with food is about half an hour away, so I recommend getting everything you need for your trip before entering the park. We packed a cooler, and it was perfect for our days exploring Death Valley!
- 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 America the Beautiful Annual Pass. It allows you to enter any national park and federal recreation land for a year!
- Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash behind. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw away your trash. If they do not have trash bins, you should take your trash with you and dispose of it once you find one.
How to Get to Death Valley
From Las Vegas
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 during the entire ride.
From Los Angeles
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.
I prefer flying into Las Vegas because it tends to have better flight options, but both airports work well!
Renting a Car
I recommend also renting a car no matter which airport you fly into. It is much easier than using public transportation to get to Death Valley.
Where You Should Stay Near Death Valley
A few towns near Death Valley have accommodations, and the closest is Furnace Creek. Because these accommodations are closest to the park, they can be very expensive. I originally wanted to stay in Furnace Creek, but decided against it because the hotels were so expensive.
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 budget-friendly accommodations.
Death Valley Hotels
- The Inn at Death Valley
- The Ranch at Death Valley
- Death Valley Inn
- Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
- Longstreet Inn & Casino
Death Valley Campgrounds
Looking for a fun way to track your visits to each national park?
Whether you're road tripping across the country or checking off national parks one weekend at a time, this journal is perfect to capture memories, reflect on experiences, and have a little fun along the way.
Each journal includes:
- full checklist of all U.S. National Parks
- pages for each national park with space for memories, highlights, and photos
- planning checklist to help prep for your next trip
- spots to rank your top parks and memories
- and fun extras like National Park Bingo!
Two Days in Death Valley at a Glance + Map
Below is a quick overview of what your two days in Death Valley will look like. Then we will dive into the entire itinerary with all the in-depth details you need to know.
Day 1:
Sunrise at Dante's 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
Ubehebe Crater
Two Days in Death Valley: My Recommended Itinerary
Ready to spend an incredible two days in Death Valley?
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 of 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 Dante's View. Dante's 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.
If you are not up for an early sunrise adventure, do not worry! Dante's View is stunning, no matter what time of day you visit. I recommend arriving in the morning to start your day early.
The drive to Dante's 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! You will love watching the sunrise cast its golden light over the surrounding landscape.
I also recommend taking your time on the drive out of Dante's 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 Dante's 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 trail to an incredible viewpoint overlooking the badlands. Once at the top, you can relax at the 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 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 this itinerary. The 6.4-mile 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 the 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 hike from Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral travels along the canyon floor, bringing you up close to the canyon walls. 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 will visit the Natural Bridge, a stunning geological feature standing 35 feet tall. The 0.6-mile hike follows the canyon floor until it reaches the Natural Bridge. I loved walking along the base of the massive stone walls because it made me feel small in the best way!
The trail continues past the Natural Bridge, but we did not hike further. A few people we passed said it was not worth the extra mileage.
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, and it was my favorite area in the park, so 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 hiking its trails into the multi-colored hills.
Since you are visiting during the late afternoon, the sunlight really makes the colors pop here!
Badwater Basin
Now it is time to end your 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 during sunset to 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. Death Valley has little light pollution, so you can enjoy stargazing pretty much anywhere. Some of the best places are Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, Ubehebe Crater, and Dante's View.
You will be in awe of the stunning views of the night sky and the 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 from most of the park, but I promise they are worth the drive.
Get your cameras ready for 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. Although there is no official trail, you will see where many people hike on the 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 the 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 trail travels along the canyon floor, through slot canyons, and up rock scrambles with 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!
And I recommend hiking it in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
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. I highly recommend visiting for sunset if your schedule allows.
Ubehebe Crater is one of the least visited places in Death Valley because it is pretty far from most attractions (about 1 hour from Mosaic Canyon). But I recommend adding it to your Death Valley itinerary because it makes 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 right from the parking lot.
However, I recommend hiking the 1.8-mile loop around the rim of Ubehebe Crater. 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 have extra time
Darwin Falls
If you have extra time, I recommend adding Darwin Falls to the second day of your itinerary. 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 to do on this day of your itinerary, 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 hike to Darwin Falls is one of Death Valley's most unique hiking trails because it 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!
Death Valley Frequently Asked Questions
Is Death Valley worth visiting?
Yes, Death Valley is absolutely worth visiting! It is one of the most unique national parks, and I truly believe it should be on every bucket list.
Although it is known for having the hottest temperatures and the lowest point in North America, it has so much more to offer! Death Valley has salt flats, sand dunes, multi-colored hills, and views of snow-capped mountains.
Should I spend one day or two days in Death Valley?
Although you can see the highlights in Death Valley in one day, I recommend spending two days in the park. Two days give you plenty of time to explore the southern and northern sections of Death Valley.
What is the best time to visit Death Valley?
Late fall to early spring is the best time to visit Death Valley. The weather is a lot cooler, allowing you to explore without the sweltering heat.
Although you can technically visit Death Valley year-round, summers are incredibly hot (over 100 degrees!). The heat limits what you can do since it is not recommended to hike midday in that kind of weather.
I visited in March, and I thought it was a great time to explore Death Valley! Although it was still warm midday, it did not even compare to summer temperatures. And it was not too crowded!
What should I not miss in Death Valley?
Although I could make a huge list of things to see in Death Valley, I will give you a few spots that I would not miss when you visit!
Dante's View
Zabriskie Point
Badwater Basin
Natural Bridge
Artists Drive and Artists Palette
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Ubehebe Crater
If you want to plan an incredible trip to Death Valley, this guide is the perfect place to start planning. I included 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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