This national park contains the lowest point in the Americas, at 282 feet BELOW sea level! The heat in the summertime should not be underestimated—it is often deadly. But in the winter Death Valley provides a fantastic desert getaway filled with stunning canyons, salt flats, and towering peaks. You need only go in the cooler months to enjoy the best of this landscape. From easy scenic jaunts to difficult scrambles up slot canyons, you can find any flavor of hike you’re looking for!

The overlook at Dante’s View provides a wonderful first glimpse of Death Valley. In fact, it provides sweeping views of both the lowest and highest points in the park. The iconic Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level and 11,049-foot Telescope Peak can both be seen from this vantage point. There is also an unmarked half-mile hike to Dante’s Peak, which you can take to get farther from the road and find a solitary perch all your own.

When visiting Death Valley National Park, a visit to Badwater Basin should definitely be at the top of the list! This spot is famous for being the lowest point in the entire United States, and is actually the lowest drivable elevation in the entire Western Hemisphere! Add that to its notoriety as the hottest location in the US, and this becomes a must-see location by any standard. Once there, you can stroll a short boardwalk or take a longer ramble out across the salt flats.

Golden Canyon offers numerous route options ranging from 3 to 8 miles, but for a truly spectacular experience you can start at the Golden Canyon trailhead and make a 6-mile loop through Golden Canyon and Glower Gulch. These gorges are full of colorful formations between narrow walls, with many nooks and crannies to explore. Take the time to poke around, do some scrambling, take pictures, and drink it all in!

Of the many dune fields in Death Valley National Park, Mesquite Flat is the most visited. The popularity is due to easy access next to the highway, but the area is vast and you could hike quite far. Here you can strike off in any direction you want, with no trails and no specific destination required. The nature of the environment allows each day's tracks to be erased by the wind, to become a fresh slate for the next day's trekkers. And of course the photography opportunities are phenomenal!

The 6.5-mile out-and-back hike into Fall Canyon is a must-do when visiting Death Valley National Park. Unlike so many others, this route definitely provides quiet solitude. The deep canyon with its striated, colorful walls narrows to around 15 feet in places as it travels farther and farther along.

Mosaic Canyon is high on the list for most visitors to Death Valley National Park, but the vast majority never venture past the first ¼ to ½ mile. The first short bit is admittedly breathtaking, but for those with gumption, continuing on is hugely rewarding and leaves the crowds behind.

The trek into Sidewinder Canyon is guaranteed to provide solitude and inspiring geology, but you won't find any trail or easy hiking here! Immediately upon leaving the parking area, route finding skills are crucial to navigate across open desert and locate the correct canyon entrance. Once inside, you’ll find a narrow slot canyon with stone ledges that require scrambling to bypass. This is a proper wilderness adventure, so make sure you are prepared!

The 6.5-mile out-and-back hike into Fall Canyon is a must-do when visiting Death Valley National Park. Unlike so many others, this route definitely provides quiet solitude. The deep canyon with its striated, colorful walls narrows to around 15 feet in places as it travels farther and farther along.