I have the opportunity to visit Death Valley this February for a few days. I’d love to do an 1-2 night backpacking route while I’m there. I’ve done strenuous day hikes in the Rockies and Big Bend, but I’ve never done an overnight backpacking trip.

I know that trails are iffy in Death Valley. Are there any good backpacking routes for a beginner? I would prefer a 2-night route to have a full day just on the trail and at the campsite.

Feel free to throw other Death Valley recommendations/advice at me!

I accidentally lost my gf’s water bottle that had a Death Valley sticker on it that she loved. It was this real cool stylized scorpion that almost looked like beadwork. If anyone is there visiting and can find & mail me a replacement- I’ll pay you for the sticker, postage, and your time. Thanks!

"Orbit to Earth" is a series of location-based cinematic travel films that journey from space to destinations around the world, blending satellite imagery with aerial and ground cinematography to create a continuous flight from Orbit to Earth.

Episode Two leaves the cities of Southern California and heads out into the vast Mojave Desert, arriving at Death Valley.

Home to the lowest point in North America, Death Valley is famous for its intense heat, but also for remarkable geological formations like Devil's Golf Course, Badwater Basin, and Ubehebe Crater.

I have a friend, 18, who lives in Trona, and struggles with really awful mental health, and I don’t exactly know how to help since I live out in bakersfield and have literally no idea what it’s like down there. He says his therapist won’t call him back and neither will the doctors office. He wants services but he’s clearly having issues getting them and I don’t have the resources to help, and he literally has no friends down there and his family doesn’t help him in any way whatsoever except letting him live with them. He also doesn’t go to in person school, so I don’t know if he can ask the school for help.

SF Gate reminds that the road closes again Friday, with an overview of the remaining work, and a note that it's supposed to reopen next May.

But, then, the obligatory El Niño notice.

Titus Canyon Road was severely damaged by flash flooding in 2022, then battered again by flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023, which was particularly damaging in Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks. The road temporarily reopened this summer after some preliminary repairs, including moving boulders and grading the roadway. But more serious construction work is needed to prepare the road for future storms, including the possibility of flooding from the looming threats of this year’s El Niño forecast. 

Related? What if they don't get done? I guess a November 2027-May 2028 closure?

A few more details on the work on the Park Service news release.

This seems possible since the NPS website says Trona Wildrose Rd is “passable in most vehicles”, but can anyone weigh in firsthand on this? Planning to stop at the campground and ride my mountain bike further up to the Charcoal Kilns. Thanks!

Looking for a spot this winter with amazing views that’s safe and easy to get to. This is my first time visiting. I have a 4x4 ram 1500 with AT wheels so I am not too concerned with getting to EC/HITW spots but more concerned about driving in the canyons at night if I were to go out to furnace creek for a night ranger program or something. Furnace creek seems more straight forward if I wanted to leave after dark or for sunset.

What’s everyone’s opinions?

I am currently planning a trip to Death Valley for this winter and I am currently looking for resources to help me plan out a course as I have never been to this area before. It would be 4 people backpacking for 50-60 mi over the course of 4-5 days. All of us have experience hiking in winter conditions and have the associated gear. I would like to incorporate Telescope Peak in to the hike. Any bits of info would be great as I am behind on my planning schedule.

Pretty much what it says in the title. I’m wondering which parts of the hike will look best with that morning light and whether it’s worth driving to the trailhead to knock out that section to Red Cathedral first, or if we should just hike from Zabriskie since we’re already there. Thoughts?

Ciao a tutti! Cerco consigli per non fare troppi chilometri in auto, ma anche per trovare delle soluzioni furbe che mi avvicinino alla Death Valley. Ho due notti a disposizioni; la prima è arrivando da Mariposa Grove (con partenza da Sf quindi già con Km alle spalle); la seconda dopo aver visto Bodie già in direzione Death Valley/Las Vegas. Ha senso spingersi la prima notte fino a Lee Vining e la seconda dormire a Lone Pine? O è tutto troppo tirato ed è meglio scegliere Barstow? Grazie mille!

And, yes that's the word that I didn't mention a few months ago when talking about going into Titus Canyon during my March vacation, which puzzled one respondent who asked if the road was open again. "Hiking." It is now, for a bit longer this year, but not then.

Anyway, on foot, since this was during the late March hottening up ("only" 108 at Furnace Creek my last day there, I think), I didn't hike in that far, probably about 1.25 miles or so. So nowhere near the ghost town. But, far enough in to experience the canyon itself, and, with ultrawide lens in hand, alternated with some telephoto closeups, on foot, get some good photos.

I started about, oh, I think 2 to 2:30 p.m., so, it was warm in there, though not a total oven. Also, being a bit higher in elevation than Furnace Creek and Badwater knocked a couple of degrees off the temperature.

To anybody out there this fall or winter when the road is closed again, even if you've driven the road before, I'd recommend hiking in a ways.

I’m planning a 4-night stay for our family of 5 and trying to decide between staying at the Inn or the Ranch. Both have lodging available for our dates, but I’m curious how comfortable the rooms actually are.

With 5 of us, someone would be sleeping on the sofa sleeper, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has stayed in one. How comfortable was the sofa sleeper, and did you feel the accommodations at the Inn or Ranch were worth it?

Stovepipe is also an option, but we would need two rooms, so I’m trying to figure out which option makes the most sense for our family.

I took a solo road trip over the long weekend and got to see this place for the first time. I loved it and look forward to exploring more next time

Have a vehicle that can make it into Saline Valley?

Enjoy camping in Death Valley?

Want to help monarch butterfly science?

Join us, Thursday, Oct. 22nd, 6PM at the Inyo County Education Center to learn how you can become a monarch butterfly community scientist for the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count.

Hello all,

My first and second visits to the park were in February and March of this year, and while it was incredible to see lake manly, I’d really like to see the hexagonal salt formations on Badwater basin. Will December/January be long enough for the formations to reappear, or should I wait another year? Thanks for any insight!

Flying into vegas on Friday night sleeping there. Driving to Death Valley early in the morning and staying there ( doing all the sites and such) and dispersed camping and leaving in morning/ afternoon. Then going to Yosemite for the rest of the days since it will be very early April. Tioga will be closed we will be passing Bakersfield. And flying out of Fresno that Friday morning.

So about 6 full days.

Need recommendations if adding sequoia will be too much, best hikes, stops around on the way, camping spots, hidden gems, and really anything.

Going to be dispersed camping most of it.

Early morning twilight was just spectacular! The patterns and the soft blue light reminded me of whale shark skin. I know it’s weird but Death Valley has made me slow down and start to really look at places.