The Best Camper Van Road Trip in the USADeath Valley may be one of the planet’s most unworldly places. A quick drive through the park, and you feel like you have arrived on Mars. Prior to visiting, I didn’t have high expectations for this national park, but Death Valley turned out to be one of my favorite stops on my campervan road trip. Here is your ultimate guide for exploring the park!
Where Is Death Valley?
Death Valley is located in California and sits near the Nevada-California border.
How Much Does it Cost to Enter?
A 7-day pass will cost $30. Alternatively, if you have an America the Beautiful Pass, entrance is free.
Must Do at Death Valley
Death Valley is massive, and there is so much you can see and do. Unfortunately, not everyone will have the luxury to explore the park in its entirety. Here are some of the park’s must-dos.
- Zabriskie Point: A scenic viewpoint that introduces you to the uniqueness of Death Valley. It truly feels like you have arrived on Mars when you look out from this point.
- Dante’s View Point: Another stunning and unique viewpoint in Death Valley
- Mesquite Sand Dunes: in the middle of this massive park sits these massive can’t moss sand dunes.
- Artist Palette Drive: One of Death Valleys’ most incredible phenomena. Enjoy a scenic drive with lots of colorful mountains.
- Bad Water Basin: The lowest point in North America. Take off your shoes and enjoy a walk through the salt flats! If you are daring, you can try tasting it too!
- Stargazing: Death Valley prides itself on being a Dark Sky Park. Stargazing here was one of the most incredible things I have seen anywhere in the world! There are plenty of places to view the stars, but it is best to go somewhere away from the main road (we did it at Harmony Borax Point). Look out for ranger-led start programs as well (they are fantastic)!
Where to Stay
Inside the park, there are several lodging options.
- The inn at Death Valley
- The Ranch at Death Valley
- Panamint Springs Resort
You can also opt to camp inside the park. Here are a few popular options
- Texas Springs
- Stovepipe Wells
- Mesquite Spring
- Furnace Creek
Lastly, you can boondock outside the park. We loved staying on BLM land on the east side of the park. If you have the Dyrt App, look up “Death Valley Dispersed Camping East Side of the Park” to find the exact coordinates. There are plenty of spaces in this area, and it is easy to find. Best of all, it’s free!
How Much Time Do You Need?
A minimum of two days is required to truly get a good feel of the park and see all of its highlights. If you want to bike/hike, or explore more of Death Valley’s hidden gems, you could easily spend several more days here. One thing to keep in mind when planning your itinerary is that Death Valley is spread out; You will spend a decent amount of time driving from point to point.
Death Valley Tips
- Try to visit during cooler months (winter)
- If you visit during the summer, stay hydrated and carry lots of water!
- Bring a red light headlamp if you plan on stargazing.
- Fill gas before coming anywhere near the park. Gas is very pricey in the park!
- Download offline maps before arriving. There is very little service in the park
