Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California, is about 120 miles (195 km) west of Las Vegas, a drive of roughly 2 hours 15 minutes via SR 160 to Pahrump and Death Valley Junction, then CA-190 to Furnace Creek. A rental car is the realistic option, with park entry at $35 per vehicle for seven days. Guided tours cost about $200 to $300 per person and run several days a week between October and April. It is the hottest, driest and lowest national park in the United States, with summer highs reaching 120F (49C). Highlights include Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, with its salt flats; Zabriskie Point, an eroded badlands viewpoint; Artists Palette, where mineral-stained hills show pink, green and purple; and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center has exhibits, maps and ranger advice. A workable day plan fills the tank in Pahrump, arrives at Zabriskie Point in the morning, then drives to Artists Palette and Badwater Basin before midday. Lunch can be taken at the Furnace Creek area, where a general store and restaurants are available, though prices are high, so packing a cooler is sensible. The return leg can include sunset at the dunes before the drive back through Pahrump. Because cell coverage is patchy and distances are long, visitors should carry at least a gallon of water per person and keep the fuel tank topped up. The best season is November through March; from late May to September, daytime heat can be dangerous, and walks should be limited to early morning. Allow nine to eleven hours, including driving, for a satisfying visit.