Snowcapped mountains surrounded by bright blue skies and frames by gold wildflowers on a valley floo

Death Valley National Park

National Park ยท California, Nevada

NPS

๐Ÿ“ StateCalifornia, Nevada
๐Ÿ›๏ธ TypeNational Park
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Entry$30
๐Ÿƒ Activities27
Official NPS Website โ†’
Death Valley National Park

National park in California and Nevada, United States

Death Valley National Park is a national park of the United States that straddles the Californiaโ€“Nevada border, east of the Sierra Nevada. The park boundaries include Death Valley, the northern section of Panamint Valley, the southern section of Eureka Valley and most of Saline Valley.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About Death Valley National Park

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

Park Photos

Snowcapped mountains surrounded by bright blue skies and frames by gold wildflowers on a valley floo
badlands bathed in pale pink and orange light from the setting sun
white salt flats with dark gray clouds
Morning light on the badlands below Zabriskie Point.
a sunset overlooking a valley filled with white salt
nine 25 foot tall rock beehive structures

Activities

Operating Hours

Death Valley National Park

The park is open daily all year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Death Valley National Park?

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30.00. All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase. Entrance - Motorcycle: $25.00. All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling on 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase. Entrance - Per Person: $15.00. All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows a single individual traveling on foot or individuals traveling on one bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase. Commercial Entrance - Per Person: $15.00. 1 - 15 Passenger Vehicle: $15 per person. In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more. Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus: $100.00. 16 - 25 Passenger Vehicle: $100 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more. Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: $200.00. 26 + Passenger Vehicle: $200 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $15.00. Non-commercial Groups (e.g., Scout groups, church groups, etc.) entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per-person for each person on board, not to exceed $200. Entrance - Education/Academic Groups: $0.00. National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Submit your waiver through the link below at least one month prior to your visit.

What are the best activities at Death Valley National Park?

Popular activities at Death Valley National Park include: Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Car or Front Country Camping.

What is the weather like at Death Valley National Park?

SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.

How do I get to Death Valley National Park?

There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle$30

All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.

Entrance - Motorcycle$25

All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling on 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.

Entrance - Per Person$15

All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows a single individual traveling on foot or individuals traveling on one bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.

Commercial Entrance - Per Person$15

1 - 15 Passenger Vehicle: $15 per person. In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$100

16 - 25 Passenger Vehicle: $100 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$200

26 + Passenger Vehicle: $200 In addition to the entrance fees listed below, additional permits are required for commercial groups, special park uses (weddings, memorialization, group events, etc.), commercial film and photography, research, and more.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$15

Non-commercial Groups (e.g., Scout groups, church groups, etc.) entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per-person for each person on board, not to exceed $200.

Entrance - Education/Academic GroupsFree

National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Submit your waiver through the link below at least one month prior to your visit.

Weather

SPRING is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Warm and sunny days with the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. SUMMER starts early in Death Valley. By May the valley can be scorching hot. AUTUMN arrives in late October, with warm but pleasant temperatures and generally clear skies. WINTER has cool days, chilly nights and rarely, rainstorms. With snow capping the high peaks and low angled winter light, this season is especially beautiful for exploring the valley.

Directions

There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.

๐Ÿ“ View on Google Maps โ†’

Location

Coordinates36.4875, -117.1344

Official Resources

NPS Official Website