Destination: Death Valley

Death Valley is one of the United States’ more underrated park. The park is vast with lots of different things to do so that you can visit it multiple times and do different things each time. The best time to visit is in the late Fall or early Spring, when the temperatures are moderate during the day, and it isn’t too cold at night. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit in the Summer, but be aware that during the day can reach up to 120 degrees. If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll want to plan your trip so that you aren’t out in the heat during the middle of the day - perhaps go somewhere at a higher elevation, or where you can be indoors. If you find this information helpful, any tips are appreciated for my work :)

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Where to Stay

The Inn at Death Valley

@michaela

The Oasis is the nicest hotel in the national park, and is worth a stay if you’re looking to make your visit a bit more luxurious. Rooms range from $150/night to $350/night depending on the season. When you stay here, you’ll get the distinct feeling of being in an oasis, as the hotel is surrounded by palm trees and has a beautiful pool. It really feels like it shouldn’t be there, but I’m glad it is. If you stay here, you’re going to want to plan some pool time into your trip. The rooms are comfortable and luxurious with bathrobes and views of the national park. The onsite restaurant is not cheap, but delicious.

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What to do

Badwater Basin

@michaela

Standing at 282ft below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. The area is a salt flat that covers nearly 200 square miles. From the parking area, you can walk out onto them to take in their vastness. If you look up onto the mountain behind the parking lot, you can see the sign that says where sea level is. Be careful walking off of the main trail, there are some areas where they are not solid, and you could fall through into the mud below. The best time to visit Badwater is at sunset, but really it’s very cool at any time of the day.

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Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

@michaela

These sand dunes are the most easily accessible dunes in Death Valley. From the road, they don’t look very big, but once you’ve walked out into them, you‘ll find yourself surrounded by a large area of 100ft tall dunes. The further you go out into the dunes, the more impressive they become (and the less crowded). Make sure you have enough water for the distance you plan on exploring. Dunes are a lot harder to hike on than you’d think, and however far you wander out, you’ll need to make sure you can make it back.

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Artist's Palette

@michaela

There are lots of spots to stop along the Artist’s Drive, but the Artist’s Palette is probably the most spectacular. I recommend planning to visit here during mid to late afternoon to get the best lighting on the rocks and to be able to see the different colors the most clearly. If the parking lot is full, you can park on the road and walk in. There is also a restroom here.

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Artists Drive

@michaela

This 9-mile drive is a one way road that will take you through the portion of Death Valley that includes the Artist’s Palette. The entire drive is gorgeous and offers multiple pull out spots to get out and take in the views. The hills which the drive goes through are super colorful due to different minerals in the rocks, hence the name “Artists Drive”. I recommend doing this drive in mid to late afternoon to get the best lighting on the rocks to see the colors clearly.

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Telescope Peak

@michaela

This 14 mile trail starts at Mahogany Flat Campground at the end of Upper Wildrose/Emigrant Canyon Road. During the winter months, this road is often closed, and when it is opened, it is recommended for cars with 4x4 or AWD capabilities. The trail winds up to the top of Telescope Peak, the highest peak in Death Valley National Park, standing at an elevation of 11,043ft. The trail has a total elevation gain of 3000ft. Many people (including myself) choose to do this hike as an overnight trip, especially during warmer months when it’s too hot to hike during the day. Many choose to start the hike in the late afternoon, camp on the way up, and summit the next morning. There are many places you can camp along the trail on the way to the top which offer incredible views into Death Valley, across the other way to the Sierra Nevadas, and of Telescope Peak itself.

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Looking for more?

Add a roadtrip up the Eastern Sierra's to your Death Valley trip!

Michaela Rabinov

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The Best Eastern Sierra Road Trip stops

The Eastern Sierras are absolutely one of my favorite places to road trip in California. The drive is essentially the drive between LA and Tahoe - the scenic way - most of it happens on Highway 395. This is a drive I’ve done multiple times, each time stopping at some of the same points, and some different points. You’ll find incredible mountain vistas, hot springs, hiking, camping, and more! Use this as a guide for one or multiple trips. The stops are ordered from south to north and are all places that I have actually been to. This is a living guide meaning, each time I visit a new place that is worth mentioning, I’ll add it to this guide, and you’ll get the update automatically. If you find this information helpful, any tips are appreciated for my work :)

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Michaela Rabinov

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I've lived in California for 4 years, and have explored most of the state. Shop my guides, itineraries, and maps below ⬇

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michaela Rabinov

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👋🏼 I like adventures. 📍Oahu, Hawaii Hawaii-based Photographer & Travel Creator specializing in outdoors and boutique travel. My favorite type of trip is the kind where you camp one night and then stay in a cute boutique hotel the next because balance is important. I believe in planning enough to not waste any precious time but leaving space for serendipity. You never know what you might happen upon - no matter how many times I've been to a place, there's something new to explore hiding around the next corner Shop my curated Guides to build your own trip or check out my customized trip-planning services. I'm one of the original Thatch Travel Creators & have been planning trips for clients for over 4 years. I've planned awesome trips to places like Japan, Patagonia, the Southwest US, Hawaii, & more. If you're not sure if I can plan a trip to your destination, shoot me a message & we can chat! Note - if you’re here on your phone & you’re interested in booking my services, please visit my page on the web. You’ll find all the information there. DM me via Instagram (@michaelarabinov) or email me (michrabinov@gmail.com) to learn more or for inspo :)

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