Bird Watching
Roadrunners and ravens and hummingbirds- oh my! With many resident and migratory species, bird watching opportunities abound in Death Valley.
Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
National Park · CA, NV
Things to do in Death Valley
The National Park Service lists 14 things to do at Death Valley National Park. 1 have no extra fee, 14 need no reservation, and 8 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Check Out Devils Golf Course
An immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires. So incredibly serrated that "only the devil could play golf on such rough links." Listen carefully and you'll hear sounds like tiny pops and pings.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Cycling
Whether you prefer flat and straight or mountainous and curvy, Death Valley has paved roads suitable for all levels of cycling enthusiasts.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Day Hiking
Looking for somewhere to hike in Death Valley? The park has interpretive trails, hiking trails, and unofficial hiking routes, and is open to cross-country travel by foot in most places.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Drive Twenty Mule Team Canyon
A short scenic drive along an unpaved road through colorful badlands.
15-30 Minutes Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Experience Death Valley at Night
Death Valley is just as spectacular at night as it is during the day- learn about a few ways you can explore the park after dark.
Fee applies Pets allowed
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Explore Wildflowers in Death Valley
Learn about the different flowers you might be able to see in Death Valley during spring months.
1-3 Hours Spring
Harmony Borax Works Self Guided Walk
Harmony Borax Works was instrumental in drawing people to Death Valley in the late 1800s and in the subsequent popularity of the Furnace Creek area.
15-35 Minutes Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Hiking/Visiting with Pets
Due to the extreme weather, it is not usually a good idea to bring a pet to Death Valley if you want to do any exploring out of your vehicle.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Mountain Biking
Hundreds of miles of dirt roads are available for mountain biking exploration.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Running in Death Valley
Go for a run in Death Valley! The park can be a very interesting and challenging place to test your road running or trail running abilities. Over 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads, plus almost endless cross country opportunities await you.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Tour Artists Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive through a geologic rainbow! Artists Drive is a one-way, nine mile (14.5 km) drive which passes through eroded, colorful desert hills. Artists Palette (a viewpoint) has the most colorful scenery along the road.
25-45 Minutes Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed
Visit Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation in North America at - 282 feet (- 86 m) below sea level. A visit to this otherworldly salt flat will provide you with a unique experience and a landscape that appears to stretch on forever.
1-2 Hours Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies
Visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Stop by the visitor center to speak with park rangers and pay park fees and purchase national park passes. View the exhibits about Death Valley's history and natural wonders. Watch the park film, which is 20 minutes in length and plays throughout the day.
15-120 Minutes Fee applies
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Death Valley. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Death Valley National Park — things to do on nps.gov