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Here’s a question for you: is going to a place called Death Valley with kids a good idea? Unlike most parenting dilemmas, this one is easily answered.
California’s Death Valley National Park is an incredible, otherworldly land full of mystery, natural wonders – and fun. Clamber through canyons, slide down sand dunes, and stand in the lowest, hottest, and driest spot in North America.
By day, explore the deserts, mountains, and astonishing landscapes of the park. At night, cozy up under a blanket and marvel at the stars under some of the darkest skies in the country.
Despite the dramatic name, Death Valley is a natural playground perfect for families of all ages and abilities to explore. In a national park the size of Connecticut, there’s something for everyone.
Search for Star Wars locations
Before Death Valley was a national park, it was a national monument – and the location for many of the scenes used in Star Wars: A New Hope. As you wind your way through the park, it’s obvious why this area was chosen as the setting for another planet in a galaxy far, far away.
The best way to find (and recreate) your favorite scenes is to download the free National Park app, which you can use offline, and listen to the self-guided Star Wars tour. This audio tour guides you to the right spots and offers interesting details about the movie, like how the children of the park rangers were cast as extras during the shoot.
Golden Canyon is my favorite location. This canyon, with its high, yellow-hued walls, is featured in a scene where the droid R2D2 is captured by Jawas. The trail is great fun for kids as there are plenty of rocks to scramble on, secret caves to poke around, and little pathways to explore.
The sand dunes of Mesquite Flats are featured in another famous scene featuring the hapless droids as they traipse across the desert of Tatooine. Both of these locations are easy to access and great for Star Wars fans.
Go sledding on sand dunes
Bringing your sled to one of the hottest places in the world may seem odd, but stay with me. The undulating golden sand dunes at Mesquite Flats are perfect for hauling a sled to the top before whizzing down again.
They are also good for pretending to be an explorer, digging, rolling down, and generally getting sandy. I brought some LEGO figures to play with (I mean, for the kids to play with), and we spent an hour or so playing in this giant sandbox.
After Mesquite Flats, it’s a five-minute drive to Stovepipe Wells Village, where you can grab a drink and a snack at the General Store, or get lunch at the hotel.
Walk with a park ranger
Park Rangers regularly offer guided hikes on popular trails, where you can hear stories about the history of Death Valley and learn about the wildlife found in the area. Check for times at Furnace Creek Visitor Center or on the calendar.
If you’re staying overnight, a guided night walk is a great activity. Bring a flashlight with a red light to keep your night vision intact, and join rangers for a guided tour of the night sky.
Gaze at the stars
Death Valley’s remote location and sparse population create the ideal conditions for dark night skies. After working with the Dark Skies Association, Death Valley National Park was awarded the highest level of dark skies, making it one of the best places in the country to stargaze.
Stargazing is a simple, yet inspiring night-time activity. All you have to do is look up to see stars you wouldn’t ordinarily glimpse in our light-polluted cities. It’s nice to have a star map, so you can point out the constellations, which you can download as an app before entering the park, or pick up a book from the visitor center.
Become a Junior Ranger
Before embarking on your Death Valley adventure, swing by the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and pick up a Junior Ranger booklet. These activity books are great for not only educating kids about the park, but also for keeping them engaged with fun activities.
There’s a swearing-in ceremony and a badge as a reward for finishing their books, and it’s a great motivator.
Explore an old mine
The legend of the 20-mule team (as featured on packs of Borax) was born at Harmony Borax Works in 1883. The mineral is best known as a cleaning ingredient but has also been used in food and cosmetics, and was termed “white gold” for its importance.
For five years, the mine at Death Valley was producing three tons of borax daily, with huge mule teams hauling wagons across the desert. Eventually, as with so many other Californian mining operations, the company went bust and work stopped.
You can visit the remains of the refinery and the 20-mule wagon, and try to imagine what it was like to work in one of the hottest places on earth. This is also a great spot for photographers, especially at night, when you can take pictures of the historic structures against the incredible night sky.
Stand at the lowest point in North America
Ahead, the bright white plain stretches to the distant mountains. Turn around, and you’ll see signs far above on the rocks marking sea level. This is Badwater Basin, the lowest spot in North America at 282 ft below sea level.
At first glance, you could be on the surface of the moon, without a single flower or shrub in sight. The vast, 200-square-mile expanse is beautiful, but unlike any other landscape I’ve ever seen.
Look a little closer, and you’ll see signs of life, despite the harsh conditions. Salt-tolerant pickleweed plants dot the rim, and the spring-fed pool by the boardwalk is home to a unique snail that thrives in the salty water.
Badwater Basin was formed from an ancient lake that dried out, leaving behind a salty lake bed. You can appreciate the spot from the boardwalk, or walk out toward the distant mountains along a track worn smooth by hikers. As you get further from the boardwalk, the polygon shape of the salt flats becomes clearer, and the sense of isolation intensifies.
Watch the sunset from Dante’s View
Drive the winding road up to 5,500 feet for spectacular and windswept views of Badwater Basin, the Panamint Range, and the Devil’s Golf Course. Dante’s View is the best viewpoint in the park, and is worth saving for sunset. The drive to the top takes about 25 minutes along Dante’s View Road from Highway 190, so plan accordingly.
There is a platform at the parking lot with plenty of space to gaze at the 360-degree views or take the path at the north end to hike along the ridgeline. It’s rocky and I didn’t feel like it was a safe hike for small children, but if you’re confident in your hiking abilities this trail has some spectacular views.
If the vista looks familiar, it’s because this was another Star Wars location. This is where Obi-Wan paused with Luke before entering the town of Mos Eisly, with the famous line, “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy”.
See where “Top Gun” pilots trained at Father Crowley Canyon
Father Crowley Canyon, AKA Rainbow Canyon, AKA Star Wars Canyon, is a deep and narrow crevice four miles east of the Death Valley National Park sign on the west side of the park.
The canyon was once used for training runs by fighter pilots, using the long but narrow pass to test their skills. Close your eyes, and the fierce winds sound like the roar of ghostly jet engines bouncing off the jagged canyon walls. The noisy canyon is in sharp contrast to the peaceful desert surrounding this spot.
The military no longer uses this canyon for training since an accident in 2019, but it’s still a beautiful spot to pause and appreciate both the natural beauty and the skilled pilots who flew here.
Clamber through canyons
Death Valley appears to be an unforgiving and harsh environment, but you can also find shady canyons to explore. My favorite trail is through Golden Canyon, named for the sand-hued rocks in this spot.
The road to the parking lot is unpaved but drivable by any type of car, as long as you take it slow. At the lot, you’ll find bathrooms and a beautiful view over the flats, before picking up the trail into the canyon. This is a great place to let the kids roam, with enticing caves, secret trails, and rocks to climb.
The trails continue for miles – depending on the temperature and your family’s stamina, you can walk an almost eight-mile loop through the canyon to Zabriskie Point and back through Gower Gulch, or simply go as far as you feel comfortable, then turn around.
We walked almost all the way to Red Cathedral, a red rock wall towering hundreds of feet above the canyon. At this point, it was getting warm and we were low on water, so it was a good time to return.
Mosaic Canyon, named for the colorful fragments of rock encased in natural cement found here, is another great hike for kids. Take the unpaved road from Stovepipe Wells for two miles to the parking lot, then head into the canyon.
The walls of this narrow canyon have been sculpted into beautiful rounded shapes by water and wind. It’s fairly easy going for just over a mile before you run into boulders blocking the route.
It’s a good point to turn around if you’re hiking with small children. Bigger kids looking for a rock scramble should look for a gap on the left-hand side, where you can find a way through and continue along the trail until the next obstacle.
Take an off-road trip to Racetrack Playa
One of the wonders of Death Valley is the mysterious moving rocks of Racetrack Playa. This is one of the coolest things to see in Death Valley – but it’s a long trip along an unpaved road.
The rocks, named the sailing stones, appear to be steadily journeying to some unknown destination, judging by the clear tracks made in the sand. The strange phenomenon adds to the magic of this place, and it’s something I am keen to see for myself.
However, the location is deep in the desert, 72 miles from the nearest highway at Stovepipe Wells. The trek keeps the numbers down, but a six-hour round trip down a rocky road into the wilderness is not something I was willing to attempt with two kids who find it difficult to sit still for ten minutes.
However, if you have the time, a high-clearance vehicle with off-road tires (plus a couple to spare), and the will, this would be an unforgettable adventure. Break up the drive by camping overnight at Homestake Dry Camp, which is located a couple of miles from the Playa.
Visit a castle in the desert
Death Valley Ranch, better known as “Scotty’s Castle” is the opulent vacation home of Chicago mining magnate Albert Mussey Johnson. After his death, the ranch was acquired by the National Park Service and you can learn about the mansion and its history on a tour.
If you’re wondering why a wealthy mining investor from Chicago wound up building a ranch in the middle of the desert, which isn’t even named after him, that’s a story of a conman, California gold, and an unlikely friendship.
Walter “Scotty” Scott was a miner, rodeo rider, and chancer who persuaded investors, including Johnson, to pour money into his Death Valley gold mine. When no gold turned up, most of the financers concluded Scotty was a con artist, and wrote off their investments.
However, Johnson decided to visit Death Valley to see for himself. Scotty, well aware there was no gold mine to show his backer, took Johnson for a ride – literally – hoping the tough desert conditions would quickly send him back to the city.
Johnson did not find treasure in Death Valley, but he did discover the dry desert air and outdoor life dramatically improved his health. He also enjoyed Scotty’s company so much that the two became lifelong friends, and Scotty stayed so often at the ranch it became locally known as Scotty’s Castle.
Unfortunately, a massive flood in 2015 damaged the building. Although much of the rebuild has been completed, it’s not completely open to the public. Limited tours are available, where you can walk the grounds and take a look at the ongoing flood recovery efforts.
Spot pupfish at Salt Creek
Some parts of Death Valley are so arid, it’s hard to imagine anything living in the vast wilderness. However, there are spots where waters flow and life thrives. Salt Creek, named for the salty water that flows after winter rains, is one such place.
A short drive from the visitor center, the creek has a boardwalk running alongside it so visitors can see the birds, fish, and insects that call this spot home.
Peer into the creek and you’ll spot Salt Creek pupfish, a species unique to Death Valley that has adapted to the saline waters. They’re called pupfish because of their lively, puppy-like behavior during spawning. At half a mile long and with plenty to see, this walk is ideal for families.
However, like Scotty’s Castle, the boardwalk was destroyed during flooding in 2022. The National Park Service hopes to have the area repaired in time for fall 2023, but check back with the website before visiting.
Take the scenic drive to Artist’s Palette
Tucked behind the yellow hills along Badwater Roads lies a geological rainbow splashed spectacularly across the landscape. Artists Palette is a spot-on description of these red, orange, blue, pink, and green hills. The colors are created by volcanic deposits rich in iron oxides and chlorites.
To view this technicolor display, take the Artists Drive Loop, a one-way scenic route through the mountains. It’s beautiful any time of day, but the colors really pop in the golden hour before sunset or after sunrise.
There are no trails along the route, but you’ll find pullouts to park and a small lot at Artists Palette, the lookout with the best views.
See an oasis in the desert
Darwin Falls is an oasis in the Mojave desert, the only year-round waterfall in Death Valley. Surrounding the spring-fed falls is lush vegetation, frogs and trees. This is also the best place to see bighorn sheep, the wild and difficult-to-spot native sheep that live in Death Valley, as they come to drink from the pool.
Tempting though it is, do not bathe in the water, as it is used as drinking water for the nearby Panamint Springs Resort.
Where to stay in Death Valley
Death Valley has a range of accommodation options, from luxury digs to backcountry camping.
Death Valley hotels
Oasis at Death Valley
There are three hotels in Death Valley: two at Furnace Creek and one at Stovepipe Wells.
The recently remodeled Ranch at Death Valley and The Inn at Death Valley is a historic resort surrounded by lush palms, a short drive from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
These hotels’ central location to many of the park’s attractions make it a good place to stay, but the naturally-heated pool, kid’s playground, and comfortable rooms make it very attractive to families.
The Ranch features newly restored one-bed cottages with separate living rooms are perfect for families with young kids, who want to sleep in the same room but not go to bed at 7 p.m.
The Inn at Death Valley is located in the same area, but is the more luxe (and more expensive) of the two.
Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
At Stovepipe Wells, near Mesquite Sand Dunes, you’ll find Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel. The cheerful motel-style accommodations are perfect for families, and there is an on-site Western saloon-style restaurant plus a swimming pool.
This hotel is convenient for visiting Mesquite Flats and Mosaic Canyon.
Death Valley camping
There are plenty of places to camp in Death Valley, but most are closed during the summer months when the temperatures become unbearable. If you’re visiting Death Valley with kids during the summer, I would recommend staying somewhere with air conditioning and a pool as it’s too hot to hike after 10 a.m. Also, night temperatures can be 100 degrees. Not fun for sleeping.
Within Death Valley, there are developed national park campsites, primitive campsites, private campsites, and backcountry camping, so there are plenty of spots to pitch a tent. If you go during winter, fall, or spring, take warm blankets because it gets cold at night.
We stayed at Panamint Springs Resort, a private campground located ten miles within the park from the western entrance. It’s a beautiful site, with views of the mountains all around. There’s a gas station/store, plus a great restaurant with a wrap-around porch. Showers are available and are included in the fee.
The only problem with staying at Panamint Springs Resort is the location, an hour’s drive from Furnace Creek Visitor Center and most of the park’s attractions. However, it’s not as busy as the campsites near the visitor center, and you do get more of a wilderness vibe, which I appreciated.
Of the developed NPS campgrounds, Furnace Creek Campground and Texas Springs Campground are the most popular. These two areas are both close to the visitor center, have picnic tables and fire grates, drinking water, and trash services. Full hookups are available for RVs at Furnace Creek.
They both fill up quickly on weekends and holidays. If you want to stay at Furnace Creek, book ahead using Recreation.com. Texas Springs is first come, first served, as are the rest of the NPS campsites.
If you arrive and these sites are full, don’t panic – Sunset Campground is in the same area and always has spots. However, you won’t get a picnic table or fire grate.
Another great option is Fiddler’s Campground, on the grounds of The Ranch at Death Valley. This campsite includes access to a swimming pool, WiFi, shower facilities, sports courts and it’s close to the resort’s restaurants.
Primitive campgrounds, like the one near Racetrack Playa, are also available but are in remote parts of the park. There are usually no facilities, so you would need to pack in and out.
Planning a trip to Death Valley National Park: one, two, and three-day itineraries
Here are some ideas for itineraries, depending on how much time you have in the park. Don’t worry if you can’t pack everything in, I always think it’s better to really enjoy one thing than attempt one hundred and exhaust yourself trying.
One day in Death Valley
Death Valley is just over a two-hour drive from Las Vegas, so it’s possible to visit as a day trip. If you’re short on time, I would suggest heading straight to Furnace Creek Visitor Center for some information on the park – there’s a good museum in there.
Next, head back south along Highway 190 and turn onto Badwater Road. Check out Badwater Basin, then go back via Artists Pallette, then stop for a hike at Golden Canyon. If you have enough time, check out Harmony Borax Works.
Go back east on Highway 190, but catch the sunset at Dante’s View before leaving the park.
Two days in Death Valley
Spend one day visiting the sights above, near Furnace Creek. On day two, head west on Highway 190 to Stovepipe Wells, stopping at Salt Creek to do the interpretative trail, then go have fun on the sand dunes at Mesquite Flats. Enjoy a hike through Mosaic Canyon, then continue onto Panamint Springs Resort, where you can check out Darwin Falls.
Before heading back to Furnace Creek, make a stop at Father Crowley Canyon. You’re also close to the Death Valley National Park sign here, which is always good for a group selfie.
Three days in Death Valley
You can achieve everything from the one and two-day itineraries, plus check out the northern area of the park. From Furnace Creek, drive north on Highway 190 for about an hour to see Scotty’s Castle, then drive on to hike around Ubehebe Crater, located about eight miles west of the castle.
Ubehebe Crater is a half-mile wide, over 500 feet deep bowl created by an explosion 2,100 years ago, when molten lava met groundwater. It’s a 1.5-mile moderate hike around the rim, although beware there are no guardrails between the trail and the edge.
Alternatively, visit Racetrack Playa to see the mysterious sailing stones. If you don’t have a suitable car (off-road tires and high clearance are highly recommended) rent a jeep from Farabee’s in Furnace Creek, which will have everything you need for a backcountry driving adventure.
When to visit Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth. It’s best avoided entirely during the summer, between May and September, when temperatures range between 100 and 120 degrees. If you do visit during this period, you will need to finish all outdoor activities by 10 a.m. and spend the rest of the day chilling by the pool.
Springtime, in February or March, sees colorful wildflowers flourishing across the valley. If conditions are just right, Death Valley experiences a super bloom, when the desert explodes with life.
Winter and late fall are also great times, with comfortable temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. Bear in mind that by April, average highs are already at 90 degrees, and don’t dip below that mark again until November.
If you’re camping in Death Valley with kids, bring extra layers for the evening, when the warmth of the day quickly fades away.
Tips for visiting Death Valley National Park
- Don’t underestimate how much water you will need. Not only is Death Valley one of the hottest places on earth, it’s also one of the driest. Keep your bottles cool in the car and hike with a hydration backpack for on-the-go sipping. Kids can carry their own with a Camelback Mini, which features an emergency whistle, essential gear for hiking with kids.
- Drive slowly on unpaved roads. Death Valley was formed by volcanic activity, which means hard, sharp rocks are scattered across the park. Stay on the track, go slow and carry a spare if you can. It’s advised not to drive on unpaved roads at all in the summer, due to how fast you can get into trouble in the extreme heat.
- Get the kids a compass and a whistle. It’s good to learn basic hiking safety early, like being aware of which direction you’re going, and what to do if you get lost. Plus, kids love a little responsibility – if you put them in charge of navigation, you might find they are willing to walk a little further.
- Take a guide to the night sky with you, as the dark skies of Death Valley are spectacular. This National Geographic guide will help you identify planets and constellations, ideal for families.
- You’ll need a vehicle pass to visit Death Valley National Park. You can buy a seven-day pass at the Stovepipe Wells store or the Furnace Creek Visitor Center for $30, or buy the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80 from REI.
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