Death Valley National Park hadn’t been on my list of must-see places before, but honestly, that was a mistake on my part because there are some truly breathtaking places in Death Valley. Our time in the park was super limited because we had initially just intended to drive through on our way to the first stop of our road trip of the southwestern United States. We rented a camper van from Escape Campervans in Los Angeles and were making our way to Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon. We had a choice to make because our route would take us through either Death Valley or Joshua Tree.

I choose Death Valley purely for Badwater Basin because of course I wanted to say I’d been to the lowest point in North America. It became clear that I had underestimated a couple of things when I made that spur-of-the-moment decision. As you can see from the photo below, we drove straight from Los Angeles to the park, and it was well after sundown when we reached the sign for the park.

It is hard to fathom the size of this park compared to the other 63. Short of venturing to Alaska, which I had not had the pleasure, Death Valley is by far the largest at an astounding 3.4 million acres. Lets just say we ended up driving for well over another hour before we reached the campsite for the night. That made for a rough early morning for the first must-see spot, but as you’ll see below, the view was definitely worth it. We stayed at Furnace Creek which was a great central point for the places we hoped to see the next morning.

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1. Zabriskie Point

I highly recommend arriving in time to see the sunrise. There is a parking area along the main road (Highway 190). From there it is just a short walk up the path to the viewing area that offers stunning views of the Golden Valley. Watching the sunlight spill over horizon proved the name to be quite fitting.

It was really something to see as the views changed with the rising sun. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, new hues would unfold. If you have more time in the park, it would definitely be worth visiting for sunset too. A thing to note: this spot can get really busy during peak season. We visited in April, and while there were quite a few photographers there, we had no trouble finding parking.

2. Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin did not disappoint, but it was so much more than just ticking off an item on a bucket list. The scenery was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. It truly was one of those places that leaves you in awe, and we ending up spending much longer here than I expected. If you have the time, it’s worth lingering about a bit to really appreciate the unique surroundings.

3. Artists Palette

Artists Palette, aptly named for the colorful scenery, is one of many stops along Artists Drive. This is a curvy one-way road off of Badwater Road that is approximately 9 miles. The road is an experience in itself as you wind your way through the surrounding landscape. Take it slow and give yourself time to get out for some great photo stops along the way.

4. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

This was another of those spots that made me question why I’d never paid this park much attention. Even in the heat, walking out into the sand was an experience I would have been sorry to miss. They are best at sunrise and sunset if you have more time in the park. The sheer height of the dunes and the way they appear to stretch on endlessly will leave you happy stopped no matter the time of day.

Devil’s Golf Course

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So, Is Death Valley National Park Worth Visiting?

I’d love the chance to revisit Death Valley National Park someday when there is more time to fully explore and maybe get to do some stargazing. I’ve listed a few additional things below that are on my list if you have more time in the park. Still, this park really left an impact on me even in the brief hours we were there. The photos of the landscape are some of my favorite of the entire road trip. It isn’t one to be overlooked or underestimated. You can find the full itinerary for our southwest road trip here.

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Additional Places to See in Death Valley:

• Ubehebe Crater
  • A short walk from the parking area takes you to the 600ft crater.
• Dantes View
  • This is another easily accessible viewpoint that offers sweeping views of the valley below.
• Mosaic Canyon
  • The hiking trail is about 2 miles one-way, but the views are great even if you don’t have time to do the full trail.
• Father Crowley Vista Point
  • A nice viewpoint on the western side of the park.