When you consider visiting a national park in winter, Death Valley’s intriguing name might conjure up an assortment of thoughts and emotions, including excitement, intrigue and a tingle of apprehension. So, what does the windswept desert landscape offer?
The largest national park in the lower 48 of the US, Death Valley National Park, is a truly remarkable place to visit. The wild and almost unearthly geography instils awe-inspiring respect for nature and provides an exciting voyage of discovery.
Death Valley gained its grisly name from a group of prospectors, The Lost 49ers, who embarked on an ill-fated shortcut that took them across Death Valley. Only when they finally discovered a route out of the valley. One group member turned back to the brutal landscape and said, ‘ Goodbye, Death Valley.’ They all thought it would be their grave.
Death Valley is renowned for its blistering heat and is the hottest place on earth. However, how about in winter? Does the weather remain sizzling in Death Valley National park in winter?
Here at My Green Tent, we continue our National Park in winter series to help with your all-year-round enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Is Death Valley National Park Open in Winter?
Death Valley National Park is open in winter. So you do not have to stop your adventures.
Imagining Death Valley National Park in winter might be difficult, especially as the extraordinary landscape of extremes holds a few records.
- The hottest place on earth, registering 134F (57C) in July 1913.
- It is also the lowest (282ft below sea level) in the US.
- The driest place in the USA.
Death Valley National Park occupies the desert region of south-central and eastern California. It borders Nevada, with a small slice crossing into the state.
Visitors to Death Valley National Park in winter can gaze at the unrivalled beauty of contrasting landscapes. Salt flats, sand dunes, multi-coloured rocks, canyons, volcanic craters, and wildflower blooms. There is a tonne to see and do to make for an unforgettable trip.
Because of its desert location and extreme summer conditions, Death Valley National Park in winter has more facilities open than in summer. Unlike some national parks where some areas are closed, such as Bryce Canyon National Park.
Are campgrounds open?
The NPS has nine campgrounds in the national park, with three shutting for the summer months. Only four are available all year, with Thorndyke and Mahogany Flat closed in winter due to their altitude and the possibility of snowfall.
Does it Snow in Death Valley National Park?
Snow in Death Valley is scarce but not unknown. However, 1922 was the only occasion that snow settled. There were only trace amounts in another five instances of snow falling.
It is more common to see snow capping the high peaks of the surrounding mountains.
The climate in Death Valley is a subtropical desert climate, experiencing extended summers with sweltering temperatures and short, mild winters.
The park sits in the rain shadow of four mountain ranges. Two are the Panamint to the west and the Amargosa to the east. These mountains protect Death Valley, keeping it dry. The clouds deflect up and cause the rain to fall on the western side, outside the national park. The result is very little rainfall, typically around 2.2 inches annually.
What is Death Valley National Park Like in December?
Death Valley National Park in winter is a great time to visit. December in the park is the coldest month on average, but don’t let that put you off. Temperatures are enjoyable during the day but can fall at night. Check out the averages at NPS Death Valley weather.
As mentioned before, the park is massive, so crowd dodging is not usually a problem at any time of the year. However, many places have crowd hotspots, such as visitor centres or viewpoints. Winter, particularly December, are great times to avoid the numbers.
Campgrounds range from primitive, with only basic facilities, to developed sites, with most amenities. Furnace Creek campground is a developed site offering 18 electric hookup points if you need a heater for those chillier nights.
Generators are allowed but observe the quiet times. Be advised to book in advance as winter is the busier time.
What is the average temperature in December?
Average high-temperature 65F (18C).
Average low-temperature 38F (3C).
How cold does it get in December?
Death Valley has recorded a low of 19F (-7C).
Does it rain in December?
Rain is rare any time of year in Death Valley.
The average rainfall is 0.19 of an inch (0.5cm).
However, in extreme circumstances, Death Valley has experienced some unusual weather events that have caused severe flooding. These events are unpredictable. Check the weather forecasts before going. The NPS website shows alerts detailing closures.
How many daylight hours are there in December?
Sunrise is approx 06.50, and sunset is approx 16.30.
Daylight hours approx 9hrs 40mins.
What is Death Valley Like in January?
January is an excellent month to visit Death Valley National Park. Unbelievably temperatures are already starting to rise.
1913 is the year that Death Valley recorded the world’s hottest temperature. It is also the year that Death Valley recorded its lowest temperature. In January that year, the mercury fell to 15F (-9C).
Death Valley offers the perfect opportunity to start the New Year with an adventure.
What is the average temperature in January?
Average high-temperature 67F (19C).
Average low-temperature 40F (4C).
How cold does it get in January?
Death Valley has recorded a low of 15F (-9C).
Does it rain in January?
January is its second wettest month.
The average rainfall is 0.27 of an inch (0.7cm).
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The days are getting longer.
Sunrise is approx 06.58, and sunset is approx 16.57.
Daylight hours approx 10hrs.
What is Death Valley Like in February?
February brings the most rain and some noticeable increase in temperatures. These temperatures make February a fabulous time to visit Death Valley National Park in winter.
Exploring off the beaten track is a time to enjoy solitude before the temperatures start to soar.
Is it windy in February?
Desert climates can experience strong winds that whip up the dry and dusty surface. However, winter does not suffer from the most extreme winds. April is generally the worst time of year for windy conditions.
What is the average temperature in February?
Average high-temperature 73F (23C).
Average low-temperature 46F (8C).
How cold does it get in February?
Death Valley has recorded a low of 21F (-6C).
Does it rain in February?
The average rainfall is 0.37 of an inch (0.9cm).
How many daylight hours are there in February?
Sunrise is approx 06.37, and sunset is approx 17.26
Daylight hours approx 10hrs 48mins.
What to do in Death Valley National Park in Winter?
With 3.4 million acres to explore in this vast park, it is necessary to plan your visit. Check out an Explorer’s Guide.
Entrance fees to enter Death Valley National Park.
- Vehicle including all passengers $30 for seven days
- Motorcycle and passenger $25 for seven days
- Individuals on foot or bicycle $15 for seven days
- Annual pass $55 for 12 months
Alternatively, consider America the Beautiful annual pass. $80 covers NPS national parks and other federal fee areas for 12 months.
Always consider safety before taking a trip and check the NPS safety.
Star Gazing
Death Valley National Park in winter is perfect for star gazing. The longer nights provide the ideal opportunity to take advantage of the Gold Tier award from the International Dark Skies Association.
You can appreciate the fabulous milky way, which is not usually as prominent in light-polluted areas.
Some recommended places that provide some of the best viewing spots are:
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
- Harmony Borax Works
- Badwater Basin
- Ubehebe Crater
Some tips to get the most from your star gazing;
- Do some homework, and know what you are observing.
- Choose a new moon night. The darker sky will enhance the experience.
- Allow your eyes a chance to adjust in the dark (approx 30mins)
- Use a red light to avoid upsetting your night vision
- Take binoculars.
- Choose the darkest area.
Sunrise and Sunsets
Death Valley National Park’s imposing landscapes provide unique canvases for spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
East of Stovepipe Wells is an easy to moderate walk into the dunes. It takes roughly a 1.5 hours round trip and is about 2 miles long.
Named after the trees that grow in the area, the dunes are famous for their dramatic shadows at sunset and sunrise. They provide a fantastic place to spot local wildlife.
Badwater Basin
Perhaps one of the most famous locations in Death Valley. It formed tens of thousands of years ago when a lake evaporated.
Badwater Basin gained its name after the mule of a settler refused to drink from the spring in the area. The water was, in fact, high in salt rather than bad.
The 200 sq miles of salt flats lie 282ft below sea level. These incredible salt flats are a must-see with the backdrop of the Panamint mountain range, including the Telescope peak, standing an impressive two miles above. This is one of the most dramatic changes in height in the US.
Racetrack Playa
A bizarre phenomenon of large rocks moving across the flats, leaving tracks of their route. No footsteps or animal tracks give clues to how they move. Some stones weigh 700lb and have moved 1500ft.
Researchers in 2014 believed they had solved the mystery of this peculiar event. They thought it a rare combination, where ice on cold winter nights formed under the stones. The wind slowly pushes the rocks before the ice melts the following morning.
Maybe the researchers are right, or perhaps they are wrong. The intrigue of the moving rocks remains.
Charcoal Kilns and Harmony Borax Works
Both sites show some of the histories of the park. The bee-hive domes of the charcoal kilns in Wildrose Canyon are well preserved and stand 25ft tall. They made fuel for the smelting pots of the nearby mines.
Harmony Borax’s Works became famous for using large mule trains to transport the ore for processing. You can still see some of the wagons today.
Hiking to Stunning Geological Points
The mind-blowing geography of Death Valley National Park enables unique photography in every direction creating memories to last a lifetime.
Visit Dantes Peak and look out over the enormity of Death Valley.
Or hike further to Ubehebe Crater. The enormous volcanic crater is 600ft deep and half a mile wide. If you prefer to drive, the car park provides a view over the entire crater.
Other attractions include Devils Golf Course, Artists Palette, backcountry driving or guided tours.
Death Valley National Park is vast and varied, providing endless opportunities to see incredible wildlife and scenery. Visit the NPS things to do page for more ideas about what the park offers.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Death Valley National Park?
The extreme summer conditions in Death Valley can make the answer to this question seem straightforward.
Winter and fall are the most suited for an enjoyable and comfortable trip if avoiding crowds and blazing heat are high on the agenda.
The camping season and ranger programmes start in the fall. The second week in November is popular because of the lost 49ers’ encampment.
Summer months are popular with visitors exploring the park by car. However, visitors in summer are primarily foreign tourists. Park authorities advise avoiding hiking in the summer months.
Most visitors arrive in spring, hoping to catch the wildflower bloom. It transforms the valley floor into a sea of wildflowers. Spring break brings tourists, and campgrounds are generally full, so it is advisable to reserve in advance.
Final Thoughts
Death Valley National Park’s remarkable, beautiful landscape and immense size provide heaps to do. It is not ‘if’ you visit but more ‘when’ you visit and how long you can stay. Death Valley National Park in winter has the weather, the solitude, and the scenery. Fascinating history, incredible wildlife and unique wildflowers make Death Valley much more than a grisly name. Always consider safety when visiting the park, as it is probably unlike anywhere you have seen.
Respect the rules of the park and have a great visit.