A 4 Day Death Valley Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide

Are you looking for the perfect Death Valley Itinerary?

I’ve been planning a Death Valley itinerary for a long time, but only recently was I fortunate enough to actually experience it! A true bucket list trip for me—and I got to spend it with some of my best girlfriends on the planet!

Speaking of planet, Death Valley National Park is truly otherworldly. It’s dramatic, breathtaking, and has some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes I‘ve ever witnessed.

Death Valley is one of California’s 9 National Parks. It’s not only California’s largest National Park, but it’s the largest in the lower 48 United States! And it’s also an International Dark Sky Park because of the ideal conditions for studying the night sky without light pollution.

Death Valley spans the desert region of California from the Amargosa Mountain Range, across the Panamint and Cottonwood Mountain Ranges, and on to the Saline Mountain Range. If you look at a map, you’ll see that the western side of Death Valley National Park is relatively close to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, with Joshua Tree National Park to the southwest and Yosemite National Park to its northwest. Utah has its Mighty Five, but California has its Mighty Nine!

Click Here to See a Map of the best things to do in this Death Valley itinerary!

The Ultimate Itinerary for 4 Days in Death Valley National Park

From salt flats to sand dunes, red rock to green rock, slot canyons, and volcano craters, Death Valley has it all. This trip is for any nature lover, families, friends, photographers, and road trip enthusiasts. Read on for my ideal itinerary for 4 days in Death Valley.

10 Important Notes:

1. This itinerary recommends you fly into Las Vegas and stay in Furnace Creek at either the Oasis Inn at Death Valley or the Oasis Ranch at Death Valley. I highly suggest the less expensive Ranch.
2. This trip requires a vehicle. A 4×4 is not necessary, but an SUV is recommended.
3. There is no GPS/cell service in the park – so have a park map with you at all times! You might get some satellite service here and there, but don’t count on it.
4. Stay on the paved and clearly marked roads.
5. Flash Floods happen! Be aware of the weather forecast and park your car in safe areas and get to higher ground if torrential rains suddenly occur.
6. Have plenty of water with you always. Hydrate often, even if it doesn’t seem hot. Its very dry and you need to drink a lot of water in the desert!
7. Don’t forget the sunscreen, layers, & hats,
8. Keep an eye on your gas tank. Gas is available in Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells.
9. Make dinner reservations before the trip for the different restaurants at the Ranch or the Inn.
10. Leave No Trace and Be Respectful!

Day One of 4 Days in Death Valley National Park:
Arrival, Zabriskie Point, Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Check In

Day 1 Morning & Afternoon:

Fly into Las Vegas, Nevada Harry Reid International Airport & rent a car. I recommend you request an SUV. The main roads throughout the park are paved and easy to drive on, however, some of the trailheads are off gravel roads with lots of holes. They don’t require a 4X4 but are easier to ride on in an SUV vs. a smaller sedan.

Drive the 109 miles (2 hours) west to the park. It’s recommended that you stop for gas in Pahrump along the way because gas prices in the park are very high. Grab some lunch or snacks here also.

You’ll follow the signs to Death Valley National Park but don’t expect an entrance station like you find at other national parks, such as Pinnacles.

Park Entrance Fee Situation
California State Highway 190 runs through Death Valley National Park. Therefore, the park is not allowed to stop thru traffic with an entrance gate. This means that you can enter the park, with or without a National Park Pass. In theory, you can visit the park without paying the $30 entrance fee. I urge you, however, to visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and pay for a pass, if you don’t already have one. We all know that these cherished spaces need all the support they can get!

Zabriskie Point

As you enter park land on 190, about 5 miles from the Ranch, you’ll be excited to see the Zabriskie Point parking and vista before you get to Furnace Creek. Take the moment to pull over and walk up to the overlook. You’ll be so excited to get a glimpse of what you’re in for over the next 4 days. Zabriskie Point overlooks the golden hills of the valley with the salt flats in the near distance and the Panamint Mountain range behind. Many choose to visit this spot at sunrise or sunset, but I say stop on your way in because it’s gorgeous at all times of the day!

Furnace Creek Visitor Center

Drive to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to pay your park fee, or show your pass, and get a map. Also ask about any Ranger Talks that might be happening during your visit. Take a few minutes to enjoy the great exhibit about the park.

Day 1 Evening:
Settle in at the Oasis Ranch & Dinner

• Check in to your cottage at the Town Hall, main building at the Ranch. Settle in to your cute cottage.
• Make dinner reservations, if you haven’t already, for the Last Kind Words Saloon next to the 1849 Restaurant in the Ranch Village or the Restaurant at the Oasis Inn one mile away.
• Pick up breakfast and lunch items at the General Store before it closes, so you’ll have things for Day 2 if you don’t choose to dine in the restaurant or cafeteria.

Day Two of 4 Days in Death Valley National Park: Badwater Basin, Natural Bridge, Devil’s Golf Course, Artist’s Drive & Palette

Today’s sites are all along the same stretch of Badwater Road, so I suggest heading out to Badwater Basin first and working your way back.

Day 2 Morning:

Breakfast – Available at Coffee & Cream, General Store, 1849 Buffet, or the Inn Dining Room

Badwater Basin

17 miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot and Restrooms

Badwater Basin is a pure white salt flat at 282 feet below sea level. It is the lowest point in North America (The Dead Sea is 1,414 feet below sea level, for some perspective). Against the backdrop of the Black Mountains surrounding the thousands of years old salt basin, this spot is both beautiful and strange. If you look up onto the cliff you’ll see a sign that says “Sea Level” to give you an idea of how low you are. You can walk along the boardwalk and then out onto the flats which are up to a five-foot layer of salt. This is very different than the Utah Salt Flats which are over 4000 feet above seal level. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Death Valley.

Natural Bridge Trail

16 miles from Oasis Ranch
Gravel Road to trailhead
Easy 1 mile RT hike
Parking Lot and Restrooms

Natural Bridge Trail is an easy and relaxing hike to a natural bridge rock formation. The trail is wide and the rock walls surrounding the trail are picturesque. This rock bridge is much smaller in scale than the bridge in Sedona, and much easier to get to! The bridge is fun for photo ops etc, but the real treat are the views as you return back to the parking lot. You could continue on past the bridge, but I would save your time and energy for other spots. Stop for a lunch or snack break along the trail.

Day 2 Afternoon:

Devil’s Golf Course

15 miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot

Devil’s Golf Course is kind of a wild place to pull up, park, and then walk around the salt spires that are so sharp you could cut yourself on them. It looks like some kind of coral that must exist on the bottom of the ocean. Wander out onto the “golf course” navigating in and around these sharp piles of salt and feel like you’re on a different planet.

Artist’s Drive & Artist’s Palette

10 miles from Oasis Ranch
The Drive is a one-way 9 mile loop
Parking Lot and Restrooms at the Artist’s Palette stop along the loop.

The Artist’s Drive is a winding, narrow road through rock formations and ravines of the most unusual colors you’ve seen in nature! The rocks are green, pink, blue, and yellow all because of mineral deposits left over from the volcanic periods of this region. Enjoy the drive and stop at the Palette to hike up the rocks a bit for some views and photos.

This is likely to be on your highlight list and you may want to visit this more than once during your stay. People really recommend going here at sunset as the colors change as the daylight changes. We went in the late afternoon and it was magnificent!

Day 2 Evening

• Head back to the Ranch and take a swim at the Ranch pool or take the shuttle to the pool at the Inn.
• Check the National Park Website for any ranger evening programs that you may want to join.
• Make sure you have reservations for drinks and dinner at the Inn. Request the shuttle at the Town Hall. The shuttle will drop you off and pick you up at the Inn entrance or you can drive and park your car down below at the parking lot.
• Pick up breakfast and lunch items at the General Store before it closes, so you’ll have things for Day 3.

Today’s sites are all along the same stretch of Highway 190, heading in the opposite direction as Badwater Road.

Day 3 Morning:

Breakfast – Available at Coffee & Cream, General Store, 1849 Buffet, or the Inn Dining Room

Mosaic Canyon Trail

23 Miles from Oasis Ranch
Gravel road to trailhead
Parking Lot
Easy to Moderate 4 mile RT hike with some scramble and climb the final mile

Mosaic Canyon is a really fun trail that meanders through winding canyons and wide open spaces. The rocks are indeed a mosaic of different textures and colors. As you approach what you think is the end of the trail, you’ll notice a giant arrow made of rocks pointing toward a slot filled with boulders. You might need to ask your friends to help you up the initial scramble if you have bad knees like me, but not to worry, this is as hard as it gets. The rewards as you continue to climb are well worth it! Keep looking for more rock arrows to guide you. Enjoy some overhang spots to peer down into the crevices  when you get to the top. And what a delightful hike back down to the parking lot.

Day 3 Afternoon:

Stovepipe Wells Village

23 miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking, Restrooms, Gas, General Store

Stovepipe Wells is another village with some lodging, a general store, a saloon, and a gas station. Stop here for your lunch and to fill the car up with gas.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

21 Miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot and Restrooms

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is better than advertised! This area of about 150 sand dunes gives the real feel of the desert. You can park in the lot and walk up to 4 miles across the dunes if you like. Obviously, the farther you explore, the fewer people and the more desolate the feeling. The dark Cottonwood Mountains surround the dunes and create a great contrasting backdrop to the yellow sand. If you happen to have some kind of sand sled or giant piece of cardboard with you, then feel free to fly down the dunes.

Dante’s View

26 miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot and Restrooms
*Only add this if time and weather permit! It’s a long drive and the roads were closed due to ice and snow when we wanted to go.

Dante’s View is a viewing platform at Dante’s Peak along Highway 190, south of Zabriskie Point. The drive can take 45 minutes to reach. It’s a lookout point at 5000 feet above the valley floor. There’s a short hike up to the views, giving you a vantage of the 110 mile stretch below.

Borax Museum

The Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot

The Borax Museum at the Ranch is a great way to learn more about the history of the Borax mining in Death Valley. In 1881, Borax was discovered here. It’s the natural mineral salt that’s an excellent cleaning solution. It was mined and processed at the Harmony Borax Works here for 5 years. During that time, a team of 40 men and 20 mules would haul the Borax 165 miles to the trains in the town of Mojave. It would take the miners 30 days to complete the round trip. The sweet museum with actual railroad cars, and machinery that was used on display, is right in the Ranch village. The Harmony Borax Works site is about 2 miles away.

Day 3 Evening:

• Head back to the Ranch and take a swim at the Ranch pool or take the shuttle to the pool at the Inn.
• Check the National Park Website for any ranger evening programs that you may want to join.
• Make sure you have reservations for drinks and dinner at the Inn. Request the shuttle at the Town Hall. The shuttle will drop you off and pick you up at the Inn entrance or you can drive and park your car down below at the parking lot.
• Pick up breakfast and lunch items at the General Store before it closes, so you’ll have things for Day 4.

Day Four of 4 Days in Death Valley National Park: Golden Canyon & Red Rock Cathedral, Twenty Mule Team Drive, Ubehebe Crater

Today’s plan is to see 2 sites very close to the Ranch, early in the day, and then head all the way out on the North Highway or Scotty’s Castle Road in the afternoon to the Ubehebe Crater. (FYI Scotty’s Castle is closed to visitors).

Day 4 Morning:

Breakfast – Available at Coffee & Cream, General Store, 1849 Buffet, or the Inn Dining Room

Golden Canyon & Red Rock Cathedral

3 miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot and Restrooms
Easy to Moderate 3 mile RT hike

Golden Canyon & Red Rock Cathedral Trail is possibly my favorite hike in the park. As described, you’ll see golds and reds along the way as you wander through some narrow canyons, cave-like sections, and hike up to magnificent views. You have the option of taking a right to Gower Gulch which leads to Manly Beacon (a giant golden peak) and on to Zabriskie Point. Stay to the left, however, and you’ll climb onto the Red Cathedral. I’m really happy we chose the Red Cathedral spur trail because it gave us more of a climb with some interesting sections. The flat at the top of the Cathedral is ideal for a rest, photos, and just an opportunity to take in the magnitude of where you are.

Twenty Mule Team Canyon

6.5 miles from Oasis Ranch
2.5 mile drive

The Twenty Mule Team Canyon drive is a short and windy one-way road through very pretty yellow and white sand stone hills, rocks, and canyons. This is the kind of road that brings you to a tip and then drops you down only to climb up again. The whole drive only takes about 15 minutes, as you go very slowly. It’s absolutely worth the little detour. Apparently, part way through the drive is a small pull off where a few cars can park, leading to some short trails. I never saw the turn off, but if you find it, I’ve heard those trails are quite lovely!

Day 4 Afternoon:

Head back to the Ranch or the Inn for a lunch break before adventuring to Ubehebe Crater.

Ubehebe Crater & Little Hebe

30 miles from Oasis Ranch
Parking Lot (no restroom)

The Ubehebe (oo-beh-heb-bay) Crater is the former “steam explosion” volcano that  erupted over 2100 years ago sending massive amounts of steam and debris over a 15 mile radius. Now, it’s the site of a 770 foot hole that you can hike around or hike down into. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be as huge as it is! It’s quite magnificent. We weren’t able to walk the 1.5 mile rim, or venture into the crater because a hail storm began when we arrived! Apparently, the hike down into the crater is fun, but the hike back up is brutal!

Day 4 Evening:

• Head back to the Ranch and soak in your last sunset at Death Valley with a drink on your porch.
• Make sure you have reservations for drinks and dinner at the Inn. Request the shuttle at the Town Hall. The shuttle will drop you off and pick you up at the Inn entrance or you can drive and park your car down below at the parking lot.
• Pack up and get ready to head out the next morning back to the airport.

Where to stay in Death Valley National Park

There are plenty of camping sites in Death Valley which you can find more information about on the park website. these are the lodging choices in the park. As I shared, we were REALLY happy with the adorable Oasis Ranch lodging. The Oasis Inn is gorgeous, but much more expensive than the Ranch.

Best Time To Visit Death Valley National Park

This is the most frequently asked question because temps can soar well over 100 degrees in the summer! Spring is considered the best time. See average monthly temps below.

Visit between October though April because May through September can be too hot for most visitors to enjoy themselves. Know that with winter comes cold, and some occasional rain. However, apparently the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are the least crowded.

Death Valley Temps	Average High (°F)	Average Low (°F)
January	67	40
February	74	46
March	82	54
April	90	62
May	100	72
June	110	81
July	116	88
August	114	86
September	107	76
October	93	62
November	77	48
December	65	39

A Note About Wildflowers in Death Valley:
We planned to visitl in March during what is supposed to be the best weather, fewest crowds, and wildflower season! Well, 1.5 out of 3 ain’t bad. Without enough rain during the winter, the flowers will not bloom. And apparently, a true superbloom only happens once a decade. So, don’t get your hopes up!

A Note about Sunrise & Sunset:
You’ll hear a lot about being at sites during sunrise and sunset. Try not to stress about this if the timing doesn’t work out for you. The truth is that the views are beautiful everywhere and you shouldn’t feel the pressure to be at certain spots at certain times of the day.

What To Pack for Death Valley National Park

• Layers! Including lightweight jackets, breathable clothing
• Hiking shoes & hiking socks
• Comfortable hiking pants
• Resort wear for dinners
• Bathing suit
• Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Camera
• National Park pass or entrance fee

More to See in and Around Death Valley National Park

Racetrack Playa
83 miles from Oasis Ranch
Half of these roads are not paved and the trip can take up to 3.5 hours. So, consider this wisely – 7 hours RT on difficult roads to see rocks on a mud flat.

Racetrack Playa is the dried up mud lake bed with mysterious tracks that end with giant boulders. It wasn’t until 2014 that scientists figured out that the rocks move during the rainy and ice season when everything freezes around them at night. When the ice melts, it causes the rocks to slide hundreds of feet on the water. Their trails remain and dry into the mud flat, along with your footsteps. 

Rhyolite Ghost Town (Nevada)
Distance from Furnace Creek: 35 miles / about a 45-minute drive -check road conditions before you go.
Rhyolite boomed in the early 1900s during the gold rush and quickly fell apart after the gold mines dried up.
What’s left now are:
An abandoned bank, a jail, and a train station.
A Bottle House made of over 50,000 glass bottles.
The Goldwell Open Air Museum  of giant and unusual sculptures on a 7.8 acre park.

Ballarat Ghost Town (California)
Distance from Furnace Creek: 70 miles / about 1.5 hours – check road conditions before you go.
Ballarat was a gold mining supply town in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
What’s left now are:
Adobe ruins, remnants of cabins, an old jail, and rusted-out vehicles.
The actual green Dodge Power Wagon that belonged to Charles Manson’s followers.
Apparently it has a real ghost town, silent, and creepy vibe, so it’s great for photographers if you’re willing to make the trip.

Are you ready to plan your Death Valley Itinerary?

I’ve wanted to visit Death Valley National Park for so long, and being there in person—surrounded by salt flats, colored canyons, and endless sky—was even more incredible than I imagined. There’s something about the stillness, the scale, and the strangeness of this landscape that stays with you.

I hope this itinerary helps you feel excited, prepared, and most of all, open to adventure! Whether you’re hiking the canyon trails, stargazing from your Ranch cottage, or just sipping coffee with a view, Death Valley has a way of slowing you down and reminding you how remarkable nature can be and much beauty there is in simply being there.

xx,
Carrie