Death Valley in Winter
Sled down sand dunes, walk on salt below sea level and see more stars than you knew existed. Go in the cool months.
8.5 hrs drive · 4 days · Best for little kids to teens · Nov–Mar
Day 1: Drive in
- 7:00 Leave SF, head toward Bakersfield
- 10:30 Break in Bakersfield
- 1:30 Lunch in Lone Pine or Ridgecrest
- 4:30 Sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Day 2: Badwater & canyons
- 8:00 Furnace Creek Visitor Center for passes and Junior Ranger booklets
- 9:30 Walk out on the Badwater Basin salt flats
- 12:00 Picnic lunch
- 2:00 Short walk into Golden Canyon
- 7:00 Stargazing from a dark pullout
Day 3: Dunes & badge day
- 7:30 Sunrise at Zabriskie Point
- 9:30 Sled the dunes with a saucer
- 1:00 Finish Junior Ranger books and get badges
- 4:00 Rest, then stars again
Day 4: Drive home
- 7:30 Leave the park
- 11:00 Lunch break
- 2:00 Bakersfield stop
- 5:00 Home
From parents who have been
- At Mesquite Flat, one family followed a ranger's advice and skipped the busy main dunes. They veered right into untouched sand to find sidewinder tracks and kangaroo rat prints. Near sunset the lot fills and people park on the dirt edges. L.A. Parent
- At Badwater, a ranger told one family a small taste of the salt is fine. Kids loved spotting the sea level sign high on the cliff. Keep shoes on, because the salt stings small cuts and ruins nice leather boots. L.A. Parent
- Pick up the free Junior Ranger booklet (there are summer and winter versions) at Furnace Creek Visitor Center. One parent called the morning ranger-led walk in Golden Canyon a must-do. Kidventurous
- For families, parents like The Ranch at Death Valley for its lawns, playground and spring-fed pool. Stovepipe Wells is cheaper and also has a pool. Beatty, NV, is about 45 minutes away, but driving back is very dark after sunset. Crazy Family Adventure
- Gas inside the park is very expensive, so fill up whenever you pass a station. Bring a cooler, because food options are limited. For stargazing, try Harmony Borax Works or the dunes, and give eyes about 30 minutes to adjust. Live Like It's the Weekend
- Drive the one-way Artist's Drive early. In the off-season you may have it to yourself. Parents suggest at least 3 nights. Kidventurous
Good to know
- The entrance fee is $30 per car for 7 days. The park takes cards only, no cash. Buy online at recreation.gov or at Furnace Creek and other kiosks.
- Junior Ranger booklets are free at any park visitor center. There are separate summer and winter versions.
- Do not go in summer with kids. July highs often pass 120°F, and lows can stay above 100°F. Most of the park has no cell service.
- Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level. Look for the sea level sign on the cliff above the lot. The dune sand can get hot, and mesquite trees at the edges have big thorns.
Sources: NPS Death Valley fees · NPS Death Valley kids · NPS Death Valley heat release (archived) · Kidventurous Death Valley family guide