Death Valley in the Winter

Death Valley, one of America’s most desolate national parks, is a place of stark contrast. Located just 85 miles southeast of the highest point in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney), Death Valley National Park is home to the lowest point in North America: Badwater Basin’s 200 square miles of salt flats, which lie 282 feet below sea level. The park's summer temperatures can reach a scorching 130 degrees Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures can drop to a bone-chilling 15 degrees. Despite its name, Death Valley draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

While many people plan to visit in the Springtime in hopes of seeing wildflowers, the best time to visit Death Valley is in the early winter, from late November to early January. Temperatures are mild and steady, the air is crisp, and the low winter light stretching from the dry valleys to the snowy peaks illuminates the landscape with a soft glow. Plus, you may still see wildflowers since they often bloom in the park’s Panamint Valley in December.

So hit the trail with us as we share our top recommendations for visiting Death Valley in the Winter!

Park Entrance and Visitor’s Center

Located along the Nevada and California border, Death Valley is a remote park with no physical address for its entrances or visitor center. Some visitors successfully find the park with their GPS, but many rely on a map and coordinates due to inaccurate directions and minimal cell service. We recommend downloading the free National Park Service App ahead of your trip and saving Death Valley maps in your offline library.

Death Valley is open 365 days a year. The Furnace Creek Visitor’s Center (located at N 36°27.70, W 116°52.00) is a good place to start your day. Even if you arrive before the visitor’s center opens, it’s near other attractions and a good place to mark the start of your day. If you arrive early and can’t purchase your park pass at Furnace Creek, you can pay your entry fee at Recreation.gov. Passes are $15 per person or $30 per vehicle.

Catch the Sunrise at Zabriskie Point

Arguably the park's most famous viewpoint, Zabriskie Point, is an unparalleled spot to watch the sunrise. As the sun rises across the badlands, Zabriskie Point– a fin-shaped rock formation– turns amber in the morning light while shadows and light dance across the valley. This spot is famous for a reason and is worth the early start. We recommend arriving at the parking lot an hour before sunrise to secure a good spot, as even in the winter, this lookout is extremely popular.

To get to Zabriskie Point, drive east on Highway 190 from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center for 4.5 miles until you see the viewpoint parking lot. The viewpoint is a short ¼ mile walk from the parking lot. We recommend arriving at the parking lot an hour before sunrise. Even in the winter, this lookout is extremely popular, and the lot fills up quickly.

If the lookout becomes particularly busy, we recommend hiking a half mile up the nearby Golden Canyon Trail instead. This beautiful trail has fantastic views of Zabriskie Point and is rarely busy.

Hike Ubehebe and Little Hebe Crater Trail

Located on the park's north side, Ubehebe Crater and Little Crater are among the best spots for panoramic views of the desert. This moderately difficult trail along the rim of these ancient craters is just shy of two miles. This hike takes several hours on the loose sedimentary rock and incline. Some people bring trekking poles to help on the steep areas, especially at the start of the hike.

Since the craters are on the opposite side of Furnace Creek, plan for 45 minutes of drive time going from Zabriskie Point to the craters. This drive is beautiful and a great way to see the Amargosa Range to the east and the Panamint Range to the west.

Watch the Sun Set Along Artists Palette Scenic Drive

Artist Palette is a section of incredibly colorful volcanic rock. The striking red, pink, and yellow hues are from oxidized iron. Mica in the rock produces green, while manganese minerals turn other sections bright lavender.

These colorful rocks are especially vibrant at sunset, and the nine-mile scenic drive is a memorable way to close out the daylight hours at the park. This winding, paved road usually takes thirty minutes to drive without stops. We recommend starting your drive an hour before sunset and stopping at some of the lookouts along the way.

Stargaze at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Death Valley is the largest dark sky park in the country, classified as a Gold Tier level park by the International Dark Sky Foundation. Its remote lotion— free from light pollution— and vast open spaces make it an unforgettable place to watch the night sky.

During the winter, you can join ranger-led stargazing programs at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or Badwater Basin. These flat areas are a beautiful and safe place to walk in the moonlight and sit under the stars. (You can find the full schedule here.)

If Death Valley isn’t on your national park bucket list, it’s time to add this incredible park. As the largest national park outside of Alaska, Death Valley is a sprawling, formidable landscape open for exploration!