Las Vegas > Death Valley National Park, California

Hottest, Driest, Lowest: Death Valley is a land of extremes. It is one of the hottest places on the surface of the Earth with summer temperatures averaging well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38° C). At 282 feet below the level of the sea, it is the driest place in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year. This valley is also a land of subtle beauties: Morning light creeping across the eroded badlands of Zabriskie Point to strike Manly Beacon, the setting sun and lengthening shadows on the Sand Dunes at Stovepipe Wells, and the colors of myriad wildflowers on the golden hills above Harmony Borax on a warm spring day.

Death Valley is a treasure trove of scientific information about the ancient Earth and about the forces still working to shape our modern world. It is home to plants, animals, and human beings that have adapted themselves to take advantage of its rare and hard won bounty. It is a story of western expansion, wealth, greed, suffering and triumph. Death Valley is a land of extremes, and much more. (Source: The US National Park Service).

From Las Vegas, take the 95 North toward Amargosa Valley. Then turn left onto the 373 toward Death Valley Junction. Then take the 190 toward Death Valley National Park and Furnice Creek.

Death Valley is famous as the hottest, driest place in North America. Higher elevations are cooler than the low valley. Temperatures drop 3° to 5° F with every thousand vertical feet. Sunny skies are the norm in Death Valley, but winter storms and summer monsoons can bring cloud cover and rain. Wind is common in the desert, especially in the spring. Dust storms can suddenly blow up with approaching cold fronts. Weather data was compiled from park and National Weather Service record summaries for the years 1911 through 2001 for Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California.

The highest ground temperature recorded was 201° F (93° C) at Furnace Creek on July 15, 1972. The maximum air temperature for that day was 128° F (54° C). Ground temperature on the valley floor is about 40% higher than the surrounding air temperature (Source: The US National Park Service).

Travel carefully in Death Valley, especially around summer time. Fill up your Gaz and bring at least one gallon (3.8 liters) of water with you per person. When temperatures are extreme, drink a lot of water and drive with your air-conditioning off! That might sound stupid, but air-conditioning heats up your engine and believe us, you do not want your car to break down!

By far, visiting Death Valley in August (average temperature 122° F, 50° C) made the biggest impression on us. Because of the surrealistic surroundings, the hot air and dust, you feel like you are on a different planet. Overall Death Valley impressed us more then for example the Grand Canyon.

Lodging in Death Valley is very limited. Make reservations in advance. The Furnice Creek Inn is your best chance for good lodging. Another option is to start touring Death Valley early in the day and then find lodging elsewhere outside the park.