Death Valley National Park in California is a beautiful and enigmatic place that attracts people from all over the world because of its unique geologic features and triple-digit temperatures.
And yet, many first-time visitors have little knowledge about Death Valley and often underestimate its potential dangers. My guide will teach you some of the Death Valley survival tips that first-time visitors often don’t know.
Death Valley National Park entrance fee
Death Valley National Park has an entrance fee of $35.
You can pay it either at the unmanned pay station at the Eastern entrance or at Furnace Creek Visitor Center. If you plan to visit other national parks in the United States, I recommend purchasing America the Beautiful Pass for $80 that will give you access to the majority of national parks in the country.
How to visit Death Valley
Visit Death Valley is possible only by renting a car or taking a guided tour. Most visitors rent a car in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, the two major cities near Death Valley National Park.
I recommend renting a car with DiscoverCars, a platform that offers hundreds of vehicles at affordable rates. Unlike other car rental websites that have hidden fees, DiscoverCars is completely transparent. All you need to do is select your travel dates and start browsing available options.
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Visiting Death Valley with a guided tour
If you don’t want to rent a car, you will need to book a guided tour of Death Valley.
Most guided tours of the Death Valley depart from Las Vegas, and take all day. While some tours are private, others have small groups. These tours include stops at the most well-known areas of Death Valley like Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Bad Water Basin, the lowest point in North America.
🤩 Click here to book Death Valley Sunrise & Stargazing Tour before it sells out!
1. Do your research
If you come from a big urban area, you may not know that like many wilderness areas on the West Coast, Death Valley can pose certain dangers.Â
Several tourists have died in Death Valley over the years and some of these deaths occurred because of the heat exposure. If you are going to visit Death Valley from April through October, you should avoid spending too much time in the sun and stay hydrated.
This rule especially applies to first-time visitors who might not be used to the hot desert climate.
2. If you travel by yourself, avoid remote areas
If you want to see some of the park’s remote areas such as The Racetrack, Panamint Dunes, Ibex Spring or Eureka Dunes, consider convoying with someone else instead of going on your own.
👉 While it could be tempting to venture into a far-away place, it’s not always a good idea. You will have to wait for a long time, should you need any help. This could be a dangerous combination coupled with the triple digit heat.
In case your plan involves visiting remote corners of Death Valley, rent a 4X4 vehicle with high clearance, so you don’t get stuck in the desert miles away from any help.
Always have an emergency back-up plan if you are going to a remote area of Death Valley.
3. Don’t rely on your phone
Most of Death Valley has a scarce cellphone service, except for the Furnace Creek area where you can find visitor’s center, hotels and a gas station. By all means, you should avoid relying on your phone, especially if you travel on unpaved roads during the hottest months of the year.
Bringing a paper map is a great idea as it could save you a lot of trouble. Having a radio that would help you to get help in case of an emergency is even a better idea.
Plan on spending a few days in Death Valley and hiking in remote areas? Bring an actual GPS device.Â
4. Check your vehicle
Unless you are taking an organized tour, visiting Death Valley requires a car.
Make sure that your vehicle is in perfect condition before starting your trip. Getting towed out of Death Valley is expensive and could take hours depending on where you get stuck. The last thing you want is have a car break-down in a triple-digit heat. Checking your vehicle should be high on your priorities’ list before you travel to Death Valley.Â
5. Stay away from remote roads
Some unpaved roads in Death Valley have jagged rocks that could easily puncture your tires. Those rocks are not round and smooth, they are actually more like shards of glass that have weathered the most extreme heat after they were broken off the mountains.Â
It’s essential to rent a high clearance vehicle if your itinerary in Death Valley involves more than just basic stops along the road.
6. Stock up on food and water
The air in Death Valley is dry and hot, especially during summer, and your body is going to lose a lot of water. If you are going to hit the trail, don’t leave without at least one gallon of water.Â
Put it in a stainless steel bottle to keep the water cool!Â
It’s also a good idea to get a first-aid kit for your Death Valley trip, since you will be hours away from the nearest hospital.
Death Valley National Parks has one gas station and a few restaurants. The two places that have restaurants are Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek, so it’s also a good idea to bring some snacks with electrolytes and proteins.
7. Put on plenty of sunscreen
The desert sun can be harsh.
If you don’t protect your skin, you can get a sunburn within a few hours. Put on enough sunscreen on and take it with you if you are going on a hike.
8. Don’t hike during mid-day
 Death Valley has the hottest temperatures during summer, but winter brings mild weather to the park.Â
Unless you are going to visit Death Valley during off-season from November through mid-March, I don’t recommend hiking in the middle of the day. Being in the open sun could cause a range of effects from sunburn to heat stroke and dehydration, if you are not used to the harsh desert climate.
When you hike, make sure to put on lightweight clothes and a hat to keep yourself cool.Â
A pair of good hiking boots will help to save your feet, as Death Valley terrain can be extremely rough in certain areas. Don’t make a rookie mistake and come here wearing flip flops!Â
9. Be prepared to drive
Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States that has over 3 million acres of protected wilderness.
While you can drive from south to north and east to west of the park, getting from place to place can take up to a few hours. Between the popular spots, Death Valley has many empty spaces and no cell phone service.
PRO TIP: Always have enough fuel in your tank.
The two gas stations in Death Valley are located at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, and gas prices tend to be high.
You can fill up your car in Pahrump or Amargosa Valley in Nevada if you are driving from the East; Baker in California if you are driving from the South and Lone Pine also in California if you are driving from the West.
10. Pace yourself
Since Death Valley is huge, you will need a lot of time to explore it.
This is especially true if you want to visit some of the beaten-path locations. While most visitors spend a day in Death Valley, some stay longer exploring this enigmatic wonder.
Consider staying in Death Valley for at least one night.
After hiking under the scorching sun all day, you will be tired, and you don’t want to keep driving to your next destination while you are exhausted. There are several hotels in Death Valley as well as nearby Pahrump and Beatty.
My favorite hotel is the historic Amargosa Opera House located in the Death Valley Junction. You can even watch ballet here during a specific season!
11. Take a guided tour of Death Valley
One of the safest ways to visit Death Valley National Park is with a guided tour. You don’t have to worry about getting stuck or looking for help if something happens. You also don’t need to worry about booking hotels and spending hours on the road.
Book your tour and let your guide take care of you while you are enjoying this beautiful national park!
Camping in Death Valley
Death Valley has several camp sites. But before you head out, check the weather! If you plan to sleep in a tent, hot temperatures at night could be extremely uncomfortable.
Here’s a list of campgrounds in Death Valley:
- Furnace Creek – The most popular campground at Death Valley National Park, Furnace Creek is located near the visitor center and other amenities in the areas. While it takes reservations, it is one of the most popular campgrounds at Death Valley, so spots tend to fill up quickly.
- Texas Springs/Sunset – Also located at Furnace Creek, Texas Springs and Sunset campgrounds are first-come, first-serve and don’t take reservations.
- Stovepipe Wells – A first-come, first-serve campground, Stovepipe Wells doesn’t require a reservation. It’s open from late fall through spring and is located about 30 minutes away from Furnace Creek.
Thank you for reading my Death Valley survival guide. If you are planning you trip soon, take a look at my Death Valley Guide that will help you navigate the park.
Spend a few days in Death Valley
While it might be tempting to just swing through park with a few quick stops on your way to somewhere else, don’t do it. Death Valley Valley National Park is an amazing place and has way too many incredible places that are really special.
If camping is not up your alley, book a stay in one of Death Valley hotels. This way you can get some rest before continuing your trip and enjoy the clear dark skies free from the light pollution.
🙂 Book your Death Valley hotel by clicking here
Death Valley Inn and RV Park – located in Beatty, Nevada, the gateway to Death Valley, this hotel offers hotel rooms and RV spots.
The Inn at Death Valley – one of the lodging options, the Inn at Death Valley has good facilities and spacious accommodations.
The Ranch at Death Valley – another popular hotel in Death Valley that quickly gets booked up in spring and summer.
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