Plan a summer trip to Death Valley National Park. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editoria…
Death Valley National Park — TL;DR
Located at Furnace Creek, the Oasis at Death Valley features the AAA-rated four-diamond Inn at Death Valley with 66 hotel rooms and 22 casitas, offering fine dining and spa services, with a spring-fed pool 87 degrees year-round surrounded by date palm gardens and stone patios.
Death Valley National Park at a glance
What are the best things to do in Death Valley National Park? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Death Valley National Park trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Death Valley National Park? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Death Valley National Park — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day…
When is the best time to visit Death Valley National Park? October to April offers manageable temperatures, as temperatures soar above 110 degrees from June to August.
Where should I stay in Death Valley National Park for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Death Valley National Park? Death Valley National Park rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network.
Death Valley National Park overview
October to April offers manageable temperatures, as temperatures soar above 110 degrees from June to August.
Death Valley's Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs are connected by long desert drives, each serving as a separate lodging and dining hub.
US Dollar ($)
English. Spanish is widely spoken in many cities.
PST (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Death Valley's dining scene continues to draw on its remote desert character, with the Frenchie burger featuring Angus beef, brie, arugula, caramelized onions and garlic aioli noted as one of the best burgers in the park area, alongside Crowbar Cafe & Saloon in Shoshone, a vintage Western spot established in the 1930s offering American and Mexican cuisine.
Where to eat, drink & do in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park neighborhoods
Furnace Creek (Oasis at Death Valley) Home to the AAA four-diamond Inn at Death Valley with a spring-fed pool 87 degrees year-round amid date palm gardens.
Stovepipe Wells Home to Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel, the Toll Road Restaurant and Badwater Saloon.
Panamint Springs On the western edge of the park, offering motel rooms, cabins, and an on-site restaurant.
Practical info for Death Valley National Park
Getting around in Death Valley National Park? Death Valley's Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs are connected by long desert drives, each serving as a separate lodging and dining hub.
When to go in Death Valley National Park? October to April offers manageable temperatures, as temperatures soar above 110 degrees from June to August.
What's changing now in Death Valley National Park? Death Valley's dining scene continues to draw on its remote desert character, with the Frenchie burger featuring Angus beef, brie, arugula, caramelized onions and garlic aioli noted as one of the best burgers in the park area, alongside Cro
Seek out Panamint Springs Resort's rustic isolation in Death Valley National Park? On the western edge of the park, a rustic alternative with cabins and tent cabins away from the Furnace Creek crowds.
Base yourself in Furnace Creek (Oasis at Death Valley) in Death Valley National Park? Home to the AAA four-diamond Inn at Death Valley with a spring-fed pool 87 degrees year-round amid date palm gardens. Known for luxury oasis, spring-fed pool.
Frequently asked questions about Death Valley National Park
What are the best things to do in Death Valley National Park? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Death Valley National Park trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Death Valley National Park tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Death Valley National Park? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Death Valley National Park — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Death Valley National Park? October to April offers manageable temperatures, as temperatures soar above 110 degrees from June to August.
Where should I stay in Death Valley National Park for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Death Valley National Park? Death Valley National Park rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.