Discover How to Explore Death Valley in the Summer - A One Day Itinerary
Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest places in the world. Learn how to safely explore it if you visit during the summer.
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đź“Ť- Death Valley National Park, California
Shadowed by the towering Panamint Mountain Range, Death Valley is a wondrous land of polar extremes. This National Park, which stands as the largest national park in the lower 48 states, contains the lowest point of elevation in North America and has held its reputation as the hottest place on the globe ever since an air temperature of 134 °F (57 °C) was recorded amid the record-shattering heat wave of 1913.
Make no mistake. Death Valley is HOT, rivaling the likes of the Sahara Desert. Even if you are used to spending the summer in an arid environment, Death Valley will pale those experiences in comparison. The daily high temperatures in the park can be unfathomable for many visitors and often stay above 100 °F (38 °C) during the hottest months, even at night. Taking all of this into consideration, it is no wonder that over 75% of visitors choose to visit Death Valley outside of the summer season.
Still, if you find yourself on Death Valley’s front porch during the summer, rest assured that it is possible to safely explore the park during this time as long as you take the proper precautions. Take it from us, because we just spent one glorious day beating the Death Valley heat and enjoying some of its most epic destinations in the middle of June. If you’re like us, and you can’t imagine letting the heat stop you from missing out on the views at this unique national park, then keep reading to discover your one-day itinerary and guide to safely explore Death Valley in the summer.
Your golden rule for exploring Death Valley during the summer: do not stray too far from your car. The AC in your car will be your escape from the heat whenever you need it.
And with scenery as epic as this, be sure to pack your best camera!
Buying the most expensive gas in the country was not on our bucket list, so we opted for a free photo instead!
This will surely be the perfect start to your day in Death Valley. Enjoy the shade while you can.
I look like an ant in this photo, which is a perfect way to show the scale of these beauties! Enjoy every moment here, because you may never see anything like it again.
You’ll know you’re at the end of the trail when you see the last of these salt rock cairns.
I realize I’m being a poor example by balancing on one leg here after I just told you to be careful. Basically, don’t do anything that you don’t feel stable doing.
As you can see, the sun was intense by this point in the day!
All things considered, I’d say we actually had a mild day in the park.
Dante’s View is one of the only places where dogs are allowed within the park, so if they are nearby, go ahead and grab them if you want to share this experience with them.
We hope you enjoyed this one-day summer itinerary and guide to Death Valley National Park! Remember to monitor your heat levels and stay safe during your adventures. If you have any more Death Valley tips, comments, or questions, be sure to comment them down below!
Thank you for joining us at Discovery Detour, where the destination is always unknown.