A two-day, Furnace Creek-based loop that pairs early-morning canyon hikes and viewpoints with a midday rest and a golden-hour dune walk. Everything is short, close to the road and suited to first-time visitors.
Sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral (3 mi round trip)
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunset
Dantes View above Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level
Artists Palette on Artists Drive
Why visit Death Valley
Death Valley rewards the visitor who plans around the sun. This two-day loop from Furnace Creek keeps the short, high-payoff stops in the cool hours of the day and hands the middle of the day to a pool and a table in the shade.
Day one is about texture: sunrise over the striped badlands at Zabriskie Point, a morning walk up Golden Canyon to the red walls of Red Cathedral, then a late-afternoon scramble across the Mesquite Flat dunes as the shadows lengthen. Day two goes to extremes: the high vantage of Dantes View, the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin, and the painted hills of Artists Palette.
Everything is roadside or a short walk, so this plan suits first-time visitors. The cool season, roughly October through April, is when the park recommends visiting; summer heat can be life-threatening.
Death Valley 2-day itinerary, day by day
1
Day 1 · 5 stops
Badlands, Canyon and Dunes
Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, a morning walk in Golden Canyon, a midday break at Furnace Creek, then the Mesquite Flat dunes at golden hour.
Must do
Viewpoint6:30 AM · 1 h
Zabriskie Point at sunrise
Walk the quarter-mile paved path up to a knob overlooking ribbed yellow-and-brown badlands, with Manly Beacon rising in front and the salt flats glowing beyond. Sunrise light rakes across the folds. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise for your date; the 06:30 start assumes a winter sunrise, so shift it for other months. Coffee & Cream, part of the Oasis at Death Valley resort at Furnace Creek, opens at 6:00 a.m.
Photo: NPS
Time
About 15 minutes from Furnace Creek; 1/4 mile paved walk each way. Start time assumes winter (about Nov-Jan); set arrival 20-30 minutes before sunrise for your date.
Best time
Sunrise (also popular at sunset)
Fee
Free
Zabriskie Point
CA-190, Death Valley, CA 92328
Hours: Open 24 hours (viewpoint)
Season: Typically open year-round; sunrise time varies through the year, so check the time for your date.
A gravel wash winds between glowing yellow walls into a narrowing canyon, ending at the deep red cliffs of Red Cathedral. Expect a couple of low ledges that need a little hands-on scrambling. Go early, when the canyon is in shade and cool, and carry more water than seems necessary; hiking after 10 a.m. is not advised in summer.
Photo: NPS/ E. Letterman
Distance
3 mi
Elevation gain
577 ft
Route
Out and back
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Golden Canyon parking area, Badwater Road, 2 miles south of CA-190
Golden Canyon
Badwater Road (2 miles south of CA-190), Death Valley, CA 92328
Hours: Open 24 hours
Season: Typically best October through April; in summer, finish hikes before 10 a.m.
A no-fuss buffet on the Ranch's Town Square, useful when you come off a morning hike hungry. The official site lists a lunch buffet of rotating hot entrees, a salad bar and desserts. After eating, take the hottest hours off with a swim at the resort pool or a rest in the room.
The most convenient base for both days: a resort beside the Furnace Creek Visitor Center with a spring-fed pool, rooms and cottages, and several restaurants on site. Standard and deluxe rooms have patios or balconies; the newer cottages sit near Town Square. Check current rates and book through the official Oasis at Death Valley site.
Death Valley's best-known dune field, with no marked trail: pick a ridge and walk toward the tallest dune. The low sun carves long shadows, and mesquite trees dot the sand. Plan to start about 90 minutes before sunset; the 15:15 start fits winter (roughly Nov-Jan), while in October and March-April sunset is later, so start later. Watch your step, since the dunes host sidewinder rattlesnakes.
Photo: NPS/ C. Augustson
Distance
2 mi
Elevation gain
185 ft
Route
Out and back
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Mesquite Flat dunes parking lot, just east of Stovepipe Wells Village off CA-190
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
CA-190, east of Stovepipe Wells Village (location description), Death Valley, CA 92328
Hours: Open 24 hours
Season: Typically shadows are best at sunrise and sunset; hiking after 10 a.m. is not advised in summer.
Dantes View above the valley, Badwater Basin at the bottom, and the color of Artists Palette on the way back for lunch.
Must do
Viewpoint8:00 AM · 45 min
Dantes View
Start the second day above it all: the viewpoint sits about 5,575 feet over Badwater Basin, so the salt flats look like a swirl of white far below with the Panamint Range beyond. It is noticeably cooler up here, and short ridge walks lead north for solitude. The drive from Furnace Creek takes about 45 minutes. Check the park Dantes View page for road conditions before towing or driving a large RV.
Photo: T. Vanderlay
Time
About 45 minutes drive from Furnace Creek; sunrise, sunset and clear dark nights are suggested
Best time
Morning or sunset
Fee
Free
Dantes View
Dantes View Road (off CA-190), Death Valley, CA 92328
Hours: Open 24 hours
Season: Typically open year-round; higher and cooler than the valley floor.
Standing 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America, you look up at a sea-level sign high on the cliffs and across at Telescope Peak, over 11,000 feet. A ramp leads to a boardwalk; the polygon salt crust is best a mile or so out, an easy 1.5 to 2 mile round trip. Bring water and sun protection.
Photo: NPS
Time
Boardwalk about 1 mile round trip (40 minutes); salt formations 1.5-2 miles round trip. Badwater is about 17 miles (27 km) south of Furnace Creek, about 30 minutes' drive.
Best time
Morning in the cool season
Fee
Free
Badwater Basin (parking lot and boardwalk)
Badwater Road, Death Valley, CA 92328
Hours: Open 24 hours
Season: Typically open year-round; extremely hot in summer, when hiking after 10 a.m. is not advised
A one-way loop through hills of volcanic color, with Artists Palette the payoff: red, orange, yellow, pink and green slopes in a single view. About 30 minutes is suggested for the detour off Badwater Road, and vehicles are limited to 25 feet because of tight bends and dips. Sunrise and sunset add shadows and changing light.
Photo: NPS
Time
About 30 minutes; entrance is 8.5 miles south of the CA-190/Badwater Road junction; one-way loop, 25 ft vehicle limit
An Old West-styled saloon on the Ranch grounds serving barbecued ribs, salmon, pasta and steaks, with draft beer, wine and whiskey, and antique guns and saddles on the walls. Its lunch service runs through late afternoon, so a post-loop meal works. The official site recommends reserving ahead.
The historic 1927 resort near the Furnace Creek oasis, with standard, deluxe, pool bungalow and casita rooms, a spring-fed pool and palm gardens. Its dining room lists advance reservations as required and a resort-attire dress code at dinner. Rates are not published on the pages reviewed; check current rates and seasonal availability.
Stay
The Inn at Death Valley
The historic 1927 resort near the Furnace Creek oasis, with standard, deluxe, pool bungalow and casita rooms, a spring-fed pool and palm gardens. Its dining room lists advance reservations as required and a resort-attire dress code at dinner. Rates are not published on the pages reviewed; check current rates and seasonal availability.
A more rustic in-park motel on the north side, near the Mesquite Flat dunes, with air-conditioned rooms, a pool, general store and restaurant. It suits a trip that leans toward the dunes and northern sights, though it adds driving to Badwater and Dantes View. Rates were not shown on the official site; check current rates.
Stay
Stovepipe Wells Village
A more rustic in-park motel on the north side, near the Mesquite Flat dunes, with air-conditioned rooms, a pool, general store and restaurant. It suits a trip that leans toward the dunes and northern sights, though it adds driving to Badwater and Dantes View. Rates were not shown on the official site; check current rates.
A park campground next to the visitor center, about 190 feet below sea level, with dry tent and RV sites and full-hookup sites. Reservations are accepted through recreation.gov during the cooler season. Fees per the listing are $30 for a standard site and $44 for full hookup (as of 2026-09-30).
Stay
Furnace Creek Campground
A park campground next to the visitor center, about 190 feet below sea level, with dry tent and RV sites and full-hookup sites. Reservations are accepted through recreation.gov during the cooler season. Fees per the listing are $30 for a standard site and $44 for full hookup (as of 2026-09-30).
Season: Typically fully open in the cooler winter season with reservations accepted October 15 to April 15; reduced first-come sites otherwise. Check current dates.
Best season: Winter and spring; summer highs average 110-116 F, and hiking after 10 a.m. is not advised in summer. Spring can be windy.
Supplies: Carry more water than you expect and fuel up at Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells.
Sunrise/sunset: Listed start times (06:30 Zabriskie, 15:15 dunes) fit winter, about Nov-Jan. In October and March-April sunrise and sunset are later, so shift both; arrive 20-30 minutes before sunrise and about 90 minutes before sunset (check an almanac for your date).
Rules: No watercraft or flotation devices at Badwater Basin. Entrance fees are card or digital payment only, no cash.
Timed entry/permits: None found for the roadside stops in this plan.
Current conditions (as of 2026-09-30):
Entrance fee is $30 per private vehicle, valid 7 days (fees page).
Damage from recent flooding affects some roads (Scotty's Castle area, north highway shoulders, Badwater Road south of Badwater Basin, Darwin Falls). None is on this itinerary; recheck the park conditions page before you go.
Restaurant hours vary by season; the Wild Rose Tavern at the Ranch is seasonal (mid-October to mid-May per the official site). Itinerary meals are not affected.
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How many days does this Death Valley itinerary take?
2 days to cover Death Valley National Park. Day 1: Badlands, Canyon and Dunes; Day 2: High Views and Low Points.
When is the best time for Death Valley?
The best months are January to April and October to December. Season: Winter and spring; summer highs average 110-116 F, and hiking after 10 a.m. is not advised in summer. Spring can be windy.
What are the highlights of this Death Valley itinerary?
Sunrise at Zabriskie Point; Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral (3 mi round trip); Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunset; Dantes View above Badwater Basin; Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level.
Where should you stay for Death Valley?
This itinerary suggests The Inn at Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells Village and Furnace Creek Campground. Check current rates and availability before you book.
Where should you eat on this Death Valley trip?
Places this itinerary uses or suggests include The Ranch 1849 Restaurant and The Last Kind Words Saloon. Opening hours change, so confirm before you go.
Sources
Good to know: distances and drive times are typical figures without live traffic, and where routes are shown the route data comes from OpenStreetMap contributors. Toll amounts are estimates and change often, so check them in the DriftKin planner or with the toll authority before you plan around them. Opening hours, fees, prices, permits and closures also change, so confirm with the park or business before you go.
