So you decided to take a chance and travel to Death Valley National Park for the day!? When it comes to spending time in nature’s easy bake oven, one day can feel like an eternity. Because of this, we put together an itinerary for you to make the most of your day in one of the most intriguing places in the world. There are lots of incredible sights to see in Death Valley. Here is a guide for the best ones to visit on a day trip:
1. The Mesquite Sand Dunes
The beautiful Mesquite Sand Dunes rise nearly 100 feet high! They are especially captivating at sunrise or sunset, when the light hits all of it’s details perfectly. Unfortunately, we got lost because we didn’t bring a paper map, so were unable reach the top of the dunes by sunrise. But after a long and dreadful hike, we eventually made it to the top! We were pleasantly surprised at just how beautiful and serene the dunes were. In addition to catching the sunrise, we recommend visiting them first because they are the furthest from the exit.
2. Artist’s Palette
A day trip to Death Valley would be incomplete if you didn’t witness the natural beauty of Artist’s Palette. To see this colorful range of mountains, you must first drive about 5 miles down the winding one-way road of Artist’s drive. It’s said that these mountains were painted by God himself, with colors ranging from light purples to dark greens. The colors are produced by the oxidation of the metals and elements found in the ground. There is nothing quite like this sight!
3. Badwater Basin
Just a few minutes drive from Artist’s Palette is the Badwater Basin. Deemed the lowest point in all of North America, it is an absolute must see on your day trip to Death Valley. The basin itself is 282 ft below sea level! Spring-fed pools of extremely salty water make up Badwater Basin. (Hence the name “Badwater.”) In the places where water is not always present at the surface, repeated freeze–thaw and evaporation cycles gradually push the thin salt crust of the basin into hexagonal honeycomb shapes that make for an awesome picture for the gram!
If you visit in the summer, after seeing these 3 sights, you’ll likely be drenched in sweat, dying of thirst, and probably ready to leave. The park gets so hot, that it is recommended not to walk around after 10am! Nonetheless, If you have a bit more time (and energy) to spare, you can drive to these places below and see them on your way out:
4. Dante’s View
Atop the Black Mountains at over 5,000 feet, sits Dante’s view. Dante’s View provides a breathtaking panoramic view of several mountain ranges, salt flats, and dunes. It is probably one of the most photographed locations in all of Death Valley, and rightfully so.
5. Devil’s Golf Course
Located right next to the Badwater Basin is The Devil’s Golf Course. The jagged course gets its name because it’s said that only the devil himself could play golf on such a surface. (Here we were thinking it was because only the devil could stand playing golf in those temperatures!)
All things considered, Death Valley is definitely a location you should add to your list if you’ll be traveling to Las Vegas or Los Angeles. It is nearly impossible to see it all in one day, which gives you more reason to go back. But before you travel, be sure to check out “How To Stay Alive In Death Valley” for your survival guide.
