Highlights of Death Valley National Park include, the lowest point in North America, picture perfect sand dunes as well as mysterious stones which move by themselves. Additionally, with the freedom of your hire car you’ll discover much more. Don’t forget to bring water as when you explore Death Valley it’s the hottest, lowest and driest National Park. Before we explore Death Valley and view photos let me share how to use KAYAK to customize your trip exactly as you want.
Why Use KAYAK to Organise your Death Valley Road Trip?
KAYAK enables you to instantly compare hundreds of travel websites at the click of a button. These websites include not only car rental but also hotels and flights, so every part of your trip is covered. As a result, you’ll find the best available options for your road trip. Upon discovering the best booking option for yourself, simply click through and reserve. Bookings can be completed and confirmed within seconds.
Finding a Hire Car with KAYAK
For me, picking the right car is the most important part of your trip. Why? Because you’ll be exploring Death Valley and other places in this car and you must feel relaxed and comfortable. For this reason, you must get the hire care right to enjoy your road trip to the max. KAYAK searches hundreds of different car options at once. As you search, I’m 100% sure you’ll find options you didn’t know existed and hire cars much better value than you imagined. Maybe, you’ll even be able to choose a higher class of car than you were originally planning! Upon discovering your perfect choice, you can then guarantee your reservation online within seconds.
Finding a Hotel with KAYAK
As you explore Death Valley National Park on your road trip, I recommend you don’t have a specific plan. Through experience I’ve discovered when you have to be at a certain place at a certain time you often rush and miss any hidden beauty spots. As a result, I recommend you download the KAYAK app on your phone and search by location throughout your road trip. In contrast, if you’re incredibly organised with your bookings or know where you’ll be on a certain date go ahead and book your hotel in advance through KAYAK.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
I mentioned earlier that Death Valley is often referred to as the hottest place on earth. Beside Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a thermometer to pose with. In 2018 the average temperature here was 127°F, however when I visited it was a lowly 103°F. What will the temperature be when you visit? Stop by the visitor centre to pay entry fees as well as receive a map and the latest driving conditions around Death Valley.
Dante’s View
Dante’s View is a panoramic viewpoint looking over southern Death Valley. On clear days you can see both the lowest and highest points in the contiguous United States. These are Badwater Basin at -86 meters in contrast to Mount Whitney at 4421 meters. Of course the highest point in the United States is Mount Denali in Alaska. What appears to be a sparkling ocean from the viewpoint is known as Devil’s Golf Course. Finally, Star Wars fans may recognise this view as Tatooine from the original 1977 movie.
Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point is an Instagram heaven with the array of colors visible from the panoramic viewpoint. Stand in awe at the Red Cathedral and Manly Beacon which have been formed over millions of years. Visit at golden hour when these iconic landmarks are at their most colorful.
Devil’s Golf Course
Park up your hire car and take the 2.5 mile out and back walk through Devil’s Golf Course. This is not actually a golf course but a large salt pan. It got its name because years ago the National Park Guide Book stated that only the devil could play golf here in the rough salt terrain. Lastly, don’t forget your water as it can be incredibly hot, dry and exposed out here.
Artist’s Drive
As you explore Death Valley you must cruise your hire car alone the 9 mile Artist’s Drive route. As you take this route you’ll loop pass colorful hills. The highlight of this route is Artist’s Palette which is the most colorful part of the drive. Artist’s Drive is without a doubt a top Instagram spot in Death Valley National Park.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Death Valley National Park features its own picture perfect sand dunes. What’s more, they’re incredibly easy to visit and view as they’re beside the main road through the park. Park up your hire car and take as much time as you need to pose for photos on these sand dunes. If you venture deeper into the dunes be sure to take water as it can get hot and dry out here.
Racetrack Playa
In my onion, Racetrack Playa should be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Rocks which weigh as much as 700 lbs have travelled over 1500 feet on their own. How does this phenomenon happen? When the playa floods, on a cold night the water freezes. Wind then blows these rocks slowly along the slippery surface which leave a trail in the soft mud beneath them. You won’t see the rocks moving but you will see evidence they have moved which will certainly give you goose bumps.
Ubehebe Crater
Ubehebe Crater is 1 and a half miles wide and 600 feet deep. If you’re fit enough to walk down the crater then back up you should consider the Ubehebe Crater Trail. What caused this huge crater in Death Valley? Ubehebe Crater is the remains of Ubehebe Volcano and an example of Death Valley’s volcanic past.
Badwater Basin
No trip to Death Valley is complete without exploring Badwater Basin. Badwater Basin is a bucket list location because it’s the lowest point in the western hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level. It’s also the hottest part of Death Valley therefore bring a bottle of water. Don’t forget to take a snap adjacent to the Badwater Basin sign.
Finally… The Roadrunner
We’ve all seen the Roadrunner cartoon where the bird quickly runs along the road whilst beeping. Did you know that the roadrunner is an actual bird and it can be found in Death Valley National Park? It looks a little different in real life but who knows, as you drive along maybe you’ll see one out the window!
Enjoy Your Visit to Death Valley National Park
I’ve shared several highlights of Death Valley National Park. Take your time to visit them and who knows, maybe you find some hidden gems as you explore the park. As you’re exploring in your own hire car at your own pace you can truly relax and take all this natural beauty in. Be sure to stop by the Furnace Creek Visitor Center first to get the latest safety, driving conditions and weather forecasts before exploring the deeper parts of Death Valley. Most importantly, enjoy Death Valley National Park.
Visiting the National Parks of America? Read about Petrified Forest National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Olympic National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Mount Rainier and Mount Rushmore. Check out these Las Vegas hotels.
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