My wife and were driving home from Death Valley this evening just before sunset and saw a roll-over accident involving a pickup truck on Panamint Valley Road. Several ambulances and police cars were on the scene which looked very serious. Wondering if anyone has any word on the condition of the passenger(s) - if they survived.

I’m currently in Death Valley and will be back to LA the day after tomorrow. Google shows me 2 different routes. Which one is better?

We prefer scenic root, hopefully not so crowded.

My boyfriend and I are planning a spontaneous trip to Death Valley this Saturday. We want to do camping since the hotel rooms nearby seem kinda sucks.. camping in tent seems to offer a better experience to star gazing. Wonder when will Texas Spring Campground usually fill up on a Saturday Thanksgiving?

Planning a trip to the back part of DV this weekend. We want to see the racetrack, camp at the warm springs (via Lippincott Pass) and then see eureka dunes in the morning (via Steel Pass).

I'm seeing these are both pretty technical, dangerous roads. I have a 4x4 Toyota 4Runner with skid plates and a small lift. I do have some experience driving off-road. It will just be me and my girlfriend in one vehicle, which makes me nervous given it's remoteness.

Can anyone who's driven these trails advise if they'd recommend doing them or not in this scenario? My girlfriend can spot me if needed, but otherwise it will be a solo vehicle trip. Are they no problem for someone with basic 4x4 experience and a decently equipped vehicle? Or should I re-plan?

For those who have done the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon loop, would doing an out and back overnighter to the end of marble canyon be pleasant rather than the loop? Personally am most interested in Marble Canyon itself and have very limited time in the park but want to get a quick overnight in the backcountry squeezed in. are there better options for a short overnighter?

The NPS website says this:

Gas burning stoves are permitted. Charcoal grills are prohibited. Fires may are permitted in NPS provided rings, however this campground has only 28 tent only sites with firegrates.

Does that mean the firegrates are exclusive to those 28 tent only sites or other sites also have them? We're going on our first car camping trip this weekend.

There is a chance of precipitation, but they are only calling for 0.1”.

I’m wondering if it is safe to go or I should push to the following day in case of flooding?

Hi. I'll be visiting the park this week and realized I've never hiked out to the beacon, so would like to do so. I'd like to know what y'all think is a more interesting route to get there.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys- I am spending 3 nights at Furnace Creek campground with my wife, and 3 kids (8, 6, 4). Should we bring bikes? What are the top recs at Death Valley for kids? They are good for short hikes, probably 2-3 miles max.

Hey yall Anyone do this November/December? Has anyone done it recently? Fairly experienced hiker who will be in the valley next week. Thank you!

Hi all! My girlfriend and I will be flying into LA from NYC and we will be renting a car and taking the last 2 weeks of December to drive from LA, to Joshua Tree, then Death Valley, then Yosemite, finally returning to LA. We will have 3 half days starting at 3PM and 1 unencumbered totally full day to spend in the park. Given that weird situation with our schedule limits day light, what would you recommend seeing on the half days? On the full day? Also, what is your favorite unique local food in the area? I know it is quite sparse but I thought I would ask in case there are any special places to grab some food here that is significant to the region.

Headed to Death Valley in a couple of weeks.

Rate my itinerary, let me know if there's anything I should avoid or you would change, what the best times of the day are to visit certain hikes etc. Trying to prioritise hikes with the best views. Moderately good hikers.

Day 1: Arrive. Check out Mesquite Sand Dunes (during sunset)

Day 2: Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch hike via Zabriskie Point at sunrise. Afternoon wander around Ubehebe Crater.

Day 3: Mount Perry via Dante's Ridge at sunrise. Afternoon, Badwater Basin and Artist's Palette.

I subscribed last year (basic membership, $35) and I just got a letter in the mail to renew it. It says that if you donate $100, you can get a shirt with your purchase. Does anyone know what the shirt looks like?? Just super curious!

Thanks!

Hi, I am planning a road trip at the end of December with my partner and we will be spending three days seeing DV. We want to camp one night near the park. Can anyone share their experience successfully doing dispersed camping in the region around the park?

We want to see as much as we can but also get a concise overview of the park. I am excited to star gaze, so top places to look up at the sky too! Thanks so much.

Me and my 4 other friends are planning for a 3 days 2 nights road trip from the bay area. We choose to do a road trip mostly to save money from the rather expensive flight to vegas.

Out of the 3 days, we'll spend the first and last days mostly on the road, meaning we have 1 full day to enjoy the park. We plan to stay in Olancha as accommodations inside the park are fully booked.

A few questions:

1. Is Olancha a good place to stay in terms of proximity to the famous spots in the park? Is there any other place that could house 5 people in and around the park for a reasonable price? (EDIT: we're not looking for strictly a resort-type accommodation. Any place short of setting up our own tents is good enough for us)
2. The only available rental car for us is a FWD sedan (Kia K5). What are some roads/spots that are inaccessible without a high clearance 4x4/AWD?
3. Our goal is to watch the sunrise, sunset, and to stargaze. I read that the mesquite sand dunes and dante's peak/zabriskie point are good choices. We'd also like to visit Badwater basin too. Would it be possible to do all of the above with just a sedan?
4. Could we fit in a short day hike in our 1 full day? any hike recommendation?

Sorry this isn't a specific question for DV, not sure where to ask.

Have 4 days between Yosemite and Beatty (Death Valley) next week. Which is the better/more scenic route to take? Appears the Tioga Pass is now closed for the season

General Sherman/Sequoias in the South and Lake Tahoe in the North seem to be the draw cards.

https://preview.redd.it/mmfiipa1fb1e1.png?width=1130&format=png&auto=webp&s=dc4ae52d88b55c3e6f7f7f9708ec564a8d4dda73

https://preview.redd.it/jczj5pa1fb1e1.png?width=1274&format=png&auto=webp&s=18336aa510276ce6a1f132e14dd89f8af404fa2e

Thanks!

I have a business trip in Las Vegas coming in mid-December and planned on driving out to Death Valley for some hikes.

What would you guys recommend? I'm a pretty experienced hiker so difficulty won't be a limitation(infact, the more difficult the better imo), but time will as I'll only have about 24hrs to spend there. I will have a rental vehicle so able to drive if multiple smaller hikes are better to experience the area.

Open to suggestions

I want to take it to the 2WD parking lot for the cottonwood-marble canyon loop. I have all season tires with average tread, but no experience driving on sand.

Thinking of doing over thanksgiving weekend.

Trying to put together a trip in december for our family of 4 (3 year old and 7 year old kids).

Was contemplating something out west, maybe death valley/jt unless there is another park you would recommend. Do you think the park is suitables for kids our age? We ve mainly done beachy vacations and think it's time to get back to something different.

Any other tips/suggestions on places to stay. Was considering just airbnbs if it doesn't add a crazy amount of driving.

I’m traveling from across the country and will be in Death Valley for a couple days next month. I’d really like to hike something with a great view and fairly strenuous. The only thing is I’m flying into Las Vegas and won’t be able to pack snow spikes or other related cold weather hiking gear.

Under normal weather conditions, for the park/telescope peak, would you suggest hiking to the top without that type of gear in mid December? Obviously if there’s an insane amount of snow at the top, I’d know not to go, but having never been to the park before I wasn’t sure how the conditions are typically and if normal hiking boots would be enough?

Hi! We are planning to do all the things from this list in one day but we have an entire second day thats pretty empty of things to do. Anything we can tack on? We are coming and going from the Vegas! I’ve been reading the posts but most just recommend what we already have planned

Thinking about arriving Sunday (22nd) or Monday (23rd). One tent. My campground preferences, in order, are Texas Springs, Stovepipe Wells, or Sunset. NPS says Sunset rarely fills up, so I assume that's my default, but what are my chances at the other two? Or, given Christmas week, will everything be pretty much full up by then? If so, how much earlier should I arrive to get a site?

Thank you!

I tried to visit a few years back and the roads were closed due to floods. From what it appears based on the NPS website, roads appear open.

Can anyone confirm this from recent travel? Thanks!

Hi - we'll be driving to LA from Beatty tomorrow in a sedan (no 4WD).

What route can we take to cover a few spots in Death Valley?

I understand that being 2WD, our car wouldn't be able to cover some of the spots

Thanks!

I went last winter and got to see them at Mesquite Sand dunes but they were pretty high up. Is there any place that has a better vantage point? I’m taking my niece, nephews, and dad … i think they’d love it.

thanks in advance :)