Our first trip to Death Valley was in mid-June 2018, so it was hot but not as hot as it gets further into the summer. This post contains quick stops in Death Valley National Park that would be appropriate on really hot days, if you’re just driving though, or on a day trip from Las Vegas.
I love Death Valley National Park. It’s on the very short list of my favorite parks because of its’ diversity, minerals (bringing vivid colors of rocks), and the mysteries of the desert for a guy who calls Minnesota home. Many see the desert as a hot, dry, windy, oppressive place that seems to be out to kill you. And they are right! What you can also see is a beautiful, unique, mysterious place that, when engaged safely, will be a stunning spot for your family to visit.
We came through Death Valley after a visit to Yosemite, Mono Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Manzanar National Historic Site, and Whitney Portal, so this overview will start from the West and outline some of the quick stops in Death Valley that we made. It is focused along the main park roads – Highway 190 and Badwater Roads. Check out our post on summer hikes in Death Valley if you want to do some hiking while there as well.
Quick Stops in Death Valley National Park
Panamint Springs
One of the few places to grab a meal in the park, we stopped in Panamint Springs for lunch. Expect few options, as meals are not the reason to come to Death Valley. Regardless, this quick stop in Death Valley has some limited lodging, food and drinks, and restrooms. Furnace Creek has better food options, but on the west side of the park this is the best, and only, place to stop.
Stovepipe Wells
We spent our nights here in Stovepipe, but the main reason was that when we were there, the more popular Furnace Creek area was being fully redeveloped. The lodging at Stovepipe Wells Village is basic and expensive, but includes a swimming pool area and reasonably comfortable beds.
This side of the park is a bit quieter than Furnace Creek, but anticipate fewer services and options for meals. Of note as well, since this is a big park with limited services, there is gasoline for sale at Stovepipe Wells and we filled up each day to ensure we were set for the following day’s adventures. I anticipate if we did it again we would stay in Furnace Creek because it is closer to more park attractions.
The benefit of Stovepipe Wells is that it’s right next to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, which are beautiful at sunrise and sunset, and you would more easily be able to get there early to explore before the heat of the day. On the other side of the dunes is the actual Historic Stovepipe Well, and it is worth a stop if you are driving by.
Mustard Canyon / Harmony Borax Works
Borax. This substance, which was a draw to the area in the late 1800’s, is something we may have heard of but have no idea what it is. Borax was (and is) a key detergent and component in cosmetics as well as used in industry. This area, now on the National Register of Historic Places, is where the Borax that was mined in Death Valley was processed before eventually being shut down.
Today you can see some borax mining equipment and then on the way out drive a route through the beautiful Mustard Canyon (Yes, it looks like mustard) and be amazed at the colors surrounding you!
Furnace Creek
This is the central area of the park where the primary Visitor Center is located and a great central base for lodging, food, camping, and planning your time in the park. The lodging in this area was recently redeveloped after we traveled to the park, so we do not have specific opinions to share on their quality or the new restaurants.
There are flush toilets at the visitor center and some good exhibits inside that inform about the unique conditions and locations within the park. You can also fill up water bottles at the bottle filling stations at the visitor center near the restrooms. As you can see, it can get very hot in Death Valley. I mean, 101 degrees in the early morning!?
Artist’s Drive
Of any of the quick stops in Death Valley, this paved, one-way road is a must do if you are visiting this portion of the park. It is about a 5-mile one way drive. There are a few spots to pull off and get a better view than you would have from your vehicle, but if the weather is oppressive you can enjoy a beautiful drive through without leaving the comfort and safety of air conditioning.
Devil’s Golf Course
The road out to Devil’s Golf Course is short but unpaved. It will present no issues with any reliable vehicle and is heavily traveled, so head on out! As with Artist’s Drive you can see the “Golf Course” without leaving your vehicle even on the hottest days so there is no good reason to avoid this drive even in the Summer.
As with Badwater Basin, you can walk as far as you would desire after parking at the good-sized parking area. You may believe that the drive out isn’t worth it as from the main park road (Badwater Road) you can see the area, but trust me that it is worth the short drive out to see these unique formations. If you do walk out on them, be careful where you step as I anticipate many have skinned their knees on these hard “rocks!”
Dante’s View
If you have the time, I recommend the drive out to Dante’s View. This is a good activity in any weather, as the temperature will be cooler at the elevation and the view from the top of the Valley gives a fresh perspective to the park. Despite the road only being 8 miles long, you should anticipate it taking some time as the speed limit is low and the last couple miles include switchbacks. Trailers and larger vehicles are banned towards the end of the drive just before the switchbacks.
You can hike along the ridge at the top and there is a restroom at the parking lot (are you noticing all of our mentions of restrooms, clearly our family has small bladders, ha!).
Death Valley is just a few hours from Las Vegas, but a world away from the Strip. When someone asks what to do near Las Vegas, I heartily recommend Death Valley as it’s less than 2 hours away and absolutely worth it so long as you can dedicate a full day to the park. You can see many of these quick stops in Death Valley at a reasonable pace and enjoy some stunning scenery along the way. Enjoy the adventure!
Are there other great quick stops in Death Valley that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
Leave a Reply