One Day in Death Valley Itinerary: All the Can’t Miss Spots!
There are so many epic things to do in Death Valley National Park, so if you only have one day in Death Valley it could be hard to narrow it down. We’ve got you covered with an action packed one day itinerary that will have you hitting all the CAN’T MISS spots. For this itinerary, you’re going to want to start as early in the morning as you can whether you are visiting in the hot season or the winter season.
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Since you’re hitting the major highlights in one day, there will be a bit of driving. Death Valley is a really big National Park, but these stops are all on one side of the park. If you want a little less driving or a more chill itinerary, just pick a few of these activities I’ve included a map at the bottom of this article so you can minimize your driving time.
One Day Itinerary in Death Valley
Getting Around Death Valley National Park
Since there’s a bit of driving involved, I would highly recommend renting a car through Economy Bookings (for affordable car rentals) or renting a campervan through Native Campervans – the BEST!
Where to Stay in Death Valley National Park
As far as where to stay, you’ll want to be close to the Furnace Creek area. If you’re spending the night in your campervan, you’ll have more flexibility and should check out the Furnance Creek Campground or Stovepipe Wells Campground. If you’re looking for a hotel, the best options inside the park are the Ranch at Death Valley or the Inn at Death Valley – both great options!
STOP #1: Sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point is a CAN’T MISS stop in Death Valley if you only have one day. It’s a great sunrise or sunset spot and has really otherworldly views. The trail to the top is paved and only about 0.2 miles so it’s a quick and easy stop and perfect if you’re looking for stroller friendly trails.
TIP: there are several other trails that leave from this area if you want to explore a little more. They aren’t as safe for littles, but they are really cool!
STOP #2: Play at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
It’s about a 35 minute drive from Zabriskie Point to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. And if you want to break up the drive a bit, you can stop at the Visitor Center in Furnace Creek on the way. If you need a hiking map or to have your National Park’s Passport stamped it’s a great stop (or to get your souvenirs!)
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are another incredibly unique stop that you can’t miss in Death Valley. If you’ve never tried sledding in the sand, you and the kids will have the time of your life! We were lucky enough to find a sled on top of one of the sand dunes and got to try it out.
The hike out to the dunes can be as far as you want. The major dunes are about a mile out, but there are options that are closer. PLUS, if you’re a Star Wars fans, this is one of 6 filming locations inside Death Valley National Park.
How to Visit All 6 Star Wars Filming Locations in Death Valley!
TIP: look for these little beetle tracks on the dunes and see if you can find one of the beetles!
STOP #3: Walk on the Salt Flats at Badwater Basin
Now you’ll get back in the car and drive 45 minutes in the opposite direction to the Badwater Basin Salt Flats. These salt flats are a great family friendly hike because as the name suggests, it’s completely flat! This is another place where you can walk as far as you want and turn around when the kids are getting tired.
Check out the list of the best family friendly hikes in Death Valley!
STOP #4: Drive Artist’s Drive
The next stop on your one day itinerary for Death Valley is Artist’s Drive! This drive is super fun and is home to the iconic Artist’s Palette view that you’ve probably seen all over the internet. It’s where you can see beautiful pink and blue colors throughout the landscape.
TIP: The pink and blue colors can be somewhat washed out if you visit mid day when the sun is shining. According to the park ranger we talked to, the best time to see the colors is in less harsh lighting.
STOP #5: Watch Sunset at Dante’s View
The last stop on your itinerary will be to watch sunset at Dante’s View. It’s another 45 minutes from Artist’s Drive, but well worth the extra driving if you’re up for it. The drive up is a bit windy, but it’s a pretty drive. It’s also where we saw the only two tarantulas we saw on our trip.
We almost skipped this stop because we were a bit tired of driving! However, we are so glad we didn’t. We were absolutely blown away by the view at the top of Dante’s View.
TIP: Be prepared for a serious elevation change. Badwater basin is located at 282 feet below sea level and Dante’s View is at nearly 5500 feet!
Death Valley Itinerary Map
Are you looking for more resources to help you plan your trip to Death Valley? Or interested in taking a trip by campervan with your kids? Here are our articles to help you plan!
