Five Reasons to Hike in Death Valley National Park
A Desert Landscape Shaped by Geological Forces, Climate, and Time
Hottest. Driest. Lowest. Death Valley National Park is a place of extremes. Yet these extremes create beautiful and striking contrasts.
As a solo hiker, it’s one of the few places where I’ve felt the rhythm of each day so starkly. From chilly, red-streaked sunrises (when a hot cup of coffee is a must!) to bluebird skies so bright they almost turn white at midday before fading into sherbert-colored sunsets, quickly followed by the velvety dark of night.
Mighty, snow-capped peaks tower above rippling, windswept sand dunes. Rare storms transform arid valleys into blankets of Technicolor wildflowers. Verdant oases surrounded by dry desert have provided refuge for fish, wildlife, and people for hundreds of years. Despite its macabre name, Death Valley—the largest national park in the contiguous United States—is home to a diversity of thriving life. A hike in Death Valley reveals its dramatic extremes and unique allure.
Why Death Valley National Park Belongs on Every Hiker’s List
I traveled solo to Death Valley with MT Sobek in November. It was an unexpectedly inspiring experience that left a lasting impression of the wonder and magic of the desert. Here are my on-trip takeaways—five reasons you should hike Death Valley, and why I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Reason One: Escape Winter
Warm-Weather Adventure in California’s Largest National Park
With radiant sunshine, blue skies, and hardly a drop of rain, winter is the best time to visit Death Valley, especially for travelers who live in snowy locales. Why? Because the temperatures are comfortable for hiking, and the trails are challenging yet rewarding.
When I stepped out into the warm desert breeze on my recent trip to hike Death Valley in November it felt like stepping back into summer, even though I’m from sunny San Diego. The sun-baked afternoon made it easy to loosen up after our ride from Las Vegas, as the first bend of the trail at Ash Meadows Refuge beckoned us to get out and explore.
I avoided the summer, when Death Valley feels more like stepping into a furnace—a place so hot you can fry an egg on the asphalt. But in winter, balmy temperatures prevail with highs in the mid-60s and 70s with lows in the 40s and 50s; in other words, perfect hiking weather!
So, if you want a break from the cold, grab your hiking boots, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure and head for Death Valley National Park!
Reason Two: Marvel at Wonderous Geology
A Living Lesson Formed by Time, Tectonics, and Extremes
Sprawling, complex, and stunning, Death Valley’s geology has enough intrigue to pique the interest of scientists and hikers alike.
One of the most surreal views I’ve ever experienced was looking down from Zabriskie Point towards Manly Beacon’s iconic, shark-fin-shaped rock formation. The incredible colors of these five-million-year-old rocks, backlit by the glowing orange sunset, made for a truly memorable end to our nearly 10-mile hike, which included lunch in a narrow slot canyon, and a journey through Twenty Mule Team Canyon, famous for its Mars-like landscape.
Originally a warm, shallow sea, Death Valley slowly transformed into the desert it is today over the last 500 million years. Volcanic activity, combined with shifting tectonic plates, conspired to create this unique geologic environment where the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin (sitting at 282 feet below sea level), and Mt. Whitney (rising to 14,505 feet), the highest peak in the contiguous US, are both visible from the same point (Dante’s Peak).
Death Valley’s swirling, multi-colored formations, set beside massive, three-story sand dunes and narrow, flood-carved slot canyons, showcase the beauty and variety that the desert has to offer.
Our expert Adventure Guide explained these geological wonders as we hiked along the trail, getting an up-close look.
So, if you want to see these fantastic formations, grab your notebook, your camera, and prepare to learn about Death Valley’s phenomenal geology!
Reason Three: Enjoy Amazing Stargazing
Night Skies in One of the Darkest Parks in the Lower 48
Stars! So many stars! Located over a hundred miles from the nearest major city, Death Valley National Park is an excellent place for stargazing.
If you’ve never been alone on top of a desert dune at night, it’s a truly unforgettable feeling. Imagine being in a library, where the bookshelves are dunes, and the books are grains of soft white sand glowing in the moonlight. And if you’re quiet enough, you may get lucky and spot some of the local wildlife that call the dunes home! When I was there, I saw a kit fox, thanks to the sharp eyes of our Adventure Guide.
Nights in Death Valley are so dark that the park is classified at the highest level by the International Dark Sky Association. Because of this, it’s possible to see rare celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way’s core, faint galaxies (like Andromeda), nebulae (like Orion), and even meteor showers, many of which are not visible anywhere else in the world!
For hikers, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, and Harmony Borax Works are some of the easiest night-sky locations to access, all of which we visited on our Death Valley hiking trip!
Pro tip: it takes about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the night sky, so make sure to stay out for a bit!
Bundle up and grab your binoculars to see night skies like you’ve never seen them before, shimmering above the undulating dunes of Death Valley National Park.
Reason Four: Hike Through Diverse Landscapes
Amazing Hiking Across Canyons, Dunes, Badlands, and Peaks
When many folks hear desert, they don’t often think of great hiking. Death Valley is certainly one of the exceptions to this rule.
I was blown away by the park’s incredible diversity of terrain. From narrow slot canyons to gleaming salt flats to windswept mountain ridgelines, the park is a hikers’ paradise! Miles of maintained trails and even more miles of unchartered territory spread across this largely undisturbed landscape. The only thing you may have to get used to is taking the road less traveled, which often means setting off into the desert with your eyes on a distant plateau of colorful rock and no trail in sight. But don’t worry, when you hike Death Valley with MT Sobek, your amazing Adventure Guides will be there with you (snacks and extra water in hand!) every step of the way.
Some of the top routes I enjoyed were:
- Mosaic Canyon: If you like loop hikes, this one is for you! Starting low in a winding slot canyon, this roughly 5-mile trail ascends several hundred feet before ending at a 100-foot calcified waterfall. And that’s not the end! With the help of our knowledgeable local guides, we took the high route back to where we started, while soaking up amazing views of the distant Panamint Mountain Range along the way.
- Dantes Peak: As someone who always wants to get to the highest vantage point to soak up some views, Dante’s Peak was one of my favorite trails. Towering directly above the salty, white flats of Badwater Basin, the start of this 5-mile out and back trail is a favorite spot for hikers and photographers alike. And the view only gets better the further along the very manageable ridge you go, as the entirety of Death Valley unfolds in front of you.
- There are so many incredible trails to explore (and beyond if you have a knowledgeable local guide with you), so pack your gear and water to explore the diversity this national park has to offer.
Reason Five: Learn About Unique History
Stories of Ingenuity, Enterprise, and Exploration in a Harsh Land
Beginning with the gold-crazed 49ers of the 1800s and ending with starry eyed filmmakers, Death Valley has a long history of charismatic personalities passing through its borders.
During the Gold Rush of 1849, a large wagon train of emigrants, hoping to shave nearly 500 miles off their journey to California, attempted to take a shortcut through Death Valley from Utah. In the 1960s, Charles Manson used Baker Ranch in Death Valley as a hideout and headquarters before police later found stolen vehicles and evidence linking him to the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. Most recently, the park’s dramatic landscape has served as a backdrop for a variety of movies and TV shows. From cowboy westerns to Star Wars and The Twilight Zone, Death Valley’s iconic vistas have become an indelible part of American cinematography.
Hiking past the remnants of long-abandoned mines and the recognizable sets of old movies, I had the sense I was walking back in time. Although it’s clear the search for gold is over, these relics (such as a completely rusted out can of beans) along with our Adventure Guide’s stories brought the history of California’s gold rush years back to life, as well as its history as a movie backdrop icon. So much so, that when I first opened the door to the Badwater Saloon in Stovepipe Wells, I half expected the bar to be filled by dusty miners and glamorous movie stars grabbing a well-deserved cold beverage before turning in for the night.
So, if you want to capture some of the old West’s wild adventure or picture yourself on a movie screen, Death Valley is the place to go.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Death Valley Adventure
A Landscape Best Experienced on Foot, With Time to Explore
After my November trip to hike Death Valley, these are the 3 things I will always keep in mind when traveling solo:
- Always Bring Your Camera: You never know what amazing things you’ll see on the trail. Even if it’s just your phone, you’ll thank yourself later for documenting your experience.
- Stay Open to Learning: Although I had already been to Death Valley once before, I am grateful that I stayed open to learning more about this special place. Hearing about the unique history, geology, and hiking from our Adventure Guides was truly life-changing!
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask: As a solo traveler, especially one that carries a camera, I often find myself trying to fade into the background. Fortunately, I decided to shift gears on my recent MT Sobek trip and ask my group, including my guides, for what I wanted. And wouldn’t you know it, I got some amazing astrophotography shots (my main goal on the trip!) and came home with a bunch of new friends.
With first-hand experience, the weather, geology, stars, diversity, and history, this national park was the winning combination for me. If you want your own unforgettable guided adventure, check out MT Sobek’s Death Valley hiking tours and experience it for yourself!
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