What to do in Death Valley, CA

Activities, attractions and tours
Death Valley showing signage, tranquil scenes and desert views

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.


Top places to visit

1. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is the continental United States’ largest park. It’s also the hottest, driest and lowest. Despite harsh conditions, the park’s more than 3 million acres (1.3 million hectares) aren’t simply desert plains. Find mountains, canyons, sand dunes, extinct volcanic craters and even palm trees and wildflowers.
Learn more
Death Valley showing desert views and tranquil scenes as well as a small group of people

2. Furnace Creek Visitor Center

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a useful resource and jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding Death Valley National Park. Drop in to the visitor center’s adjoining museum and learn about the region’s cultural and natural history before heading off on your adventure around the park. Join ranger-led tours, watch an informative film about the park or pick up maps and brochures so that you can plan your journey.
Learn more
Death Valley showing interior views

3. Badwater

Snow-white crystals of salt fill the immense pan of Badwater Basin, a crater-like salt flat in the middle of the valley. Flanked by dusky-pink mountain ranges and purple-hued ridges, Badwater Basin is a dreamlike destination. Explore the moonscape saltpan on foot for the chance to say you’ve walked across the lowest point in North America, at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
Learn more
Badwater which includes views, hiking or walking and desert views

4. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is a spectacular natural phenomenon in the heart of Death Valley. It consists of dunes 100 feet (30 meters) high that offer unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. Notice the ever-changing patterns carved into this sandy landscape.
Learn more
Death Valley

5. Zabriskie Point

Look out across the colorful sculpted landscape at the foothills of the Black Mountains from Zabriskie Point. Enjoy the vast scene of undulating badlands, which ripple across mudhills, gullies and mountains. In the distance, notice the gleaming white expanse of saltpans in the main valley. Made famous by the Antonioni-directed film of the same name, Zabriskie Point is a dramatic introduction to Death Valley National Park when entering from the east.
Learn more
Death Valley which includes desert views and tranquil scenes

6. Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater is one of several volcanic craters in the northern section of Death Valley National Park. Sheltered by the Cottonwood Mountains, this crater has etched its geological history into the valley. Check out the enormous crater rim, which is 600 feet (180 meters) deep and half a mile (0.8 kilometers) across. Spot stripes of sediment in the volcano walls. Imagine the force of this volcano that erupted thousands of years ago.
Learn more
Ubehebe Crater featuring landscape views and desert views

7. Golden Canyon

Experienced and beginner hikers can enjoy the trails that crisscross the Golden Canyon and its surroundings, blessed by moderate slopes and stunning views. Even though this is a popular route, the trail itself is rarely crowded. The path is easily customizable, with trips ranging from a simple, 90 minute-long in-and-out of the canyon itself to more difficult 4-hour treks past the area’s many natural landmarks. Lace up your shoes, put on your hat, bring a big bottle of water and plunge in for an up-close look at Death Valley.
Learn more
Death Valley showing desert views, tranquil scenes and hiking or walking

8. Artists Palette

The Artist’s Palette is a remarkable rock formation in Death Valley National Park. Admire the spectrum of colors appearing on this rock face, and watch as they shift depending on the angle of the sun. The phenomenon is the fascinating result of explosive volcanic periods millions of years ago, which can be traced in the formation’s extraordinary painted appearance and unique geological makeup.
Learn more
Death Valley

What to do in Death Valley


Popular places to visit

Day trip destinations from Death Valley