Death Valley is officially the toastiest place on the entire planet, thanks to a scorching day back in 1913 when temperatures reached 134 degrees, the highest ever recorded anywhere on the globe. Rainy days: 0. I think we’ll probably be talking again, once you digest some of this info and have a chance to think about your time in Death Valley. The most quiet area, and the darkest for nighttime stargazing, is the Roadrunner building. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Accom doesn't need to be fancy but expect clean and happy if it is an interesting place to stay - not just touristy. Posted by Ski3pin at 10:52 AM. more, Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, Death Valley National Park Destination Experts. It's $39-49 each way on Virgin America and takes 90 minutes. They have a few different sizes and prices to choose from. Death Valley is on the border between the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts. They are all on paved roads or graded gravel side roads that are maintained regularly. Death Valley has snow at higher elevations and often heavy rain elsewhere, and this may cause some roads to be closed or require chains. The strata in the north end of the Panamint Mountains has been tilted to almost vertical. FC Inn is more upscale, a historic Spanish villa with hand-cut stonework, beautiful terraced gardens, and elegant pool, and a fine dining room with unique specialties and a mild dress code. We will be traveling with a 13YO, 10Yo and a 6month old. The Sand Dunes are magical at sunset and also sunrise. It can rain, sometimes heavily, to the point that roads are washed out and canyons flooded. It might not be the typical winter wonderland, but this desert on the California-Nevada border offers its own kind of magic. Furnace Creek is close to many of the major sights, including Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon and other places along Badwater Road, the park visitor center, Harmony Borax Works, and Salt Creek. Since Las Vegas is only 2-3 hours from much of DV, you will have time to see Dante's View, Zabriskie Point, the places along Badwater Road, the Furnace Creek area and visitor center, and maybe Harmony Borax and Salt Creek on the first day. Mosaic Canyon is a fine hike just west of Stovepipe; it's on a gravel road that's OK for any car driven carefully. Become an Alamo Insider and save 5% off of our already low rates. Can leave LV as early as needed on the first day but would like to be on the mountain at Mammoth by night fall of the seond day. His work has appeared in Club Traveler magazine, Gambit Weekly, Berkeleyside and other publications. Capture the park from its legendary sunrise vistas at east-facing Zabriskie Point to the rugged cliffs and shadows of its slot canyons and the brilliant stargazing at Aguereberry Point. How sunny is it in Death Valley in December? The Cottonwood and Panamint buildings are the most close-in, so there is more foot traffic. Enter custom title ... We want to go through Death Valley and then up north over the 395 towards Yosemite to take one of the all-year open roads west towards San Fransisco. During summer, the valley is blazing hot and the Inn at Death Valley is closed. We went in late April and at sea level, it was around 100 degrees. Death Valley, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Mosaic Canyon, Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Ubehebe Crater, California If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Death Valley weather is best in December and January. We will do as much as possible on the drive to there from LV on the first day. Driving through Death Valley in August -advice please. Charles Cody Siler is a writer, photographer, cyclist and active travel guide based in Bogotá, Colombia. So if you want groceries, stop at Pahrump. The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash late Friday afternoon, Dec. 20, in Death Valley. Between now and February, the Furnace Creek Golf Course will host a steady stream of golfers. 5-stars Hotels in Death Valley National Park, Popular Death Valley National Park Categories. All Rights Reserved. Getting to Furnace Creek Visitor Center: Follow California Route 190 about 25 miles west from the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station. The dining room and saloon have an Old West decor with wood interior, mining artifacts, Native American crafts, and wagon wheels, and the passageway between them looks like a mine tunnel. I also am excited about the drive from SPW thru to Mammoth on the second day - it sounds like it will be a very scenic trip! In any season, if you find it too hot on the valley floor, go up. Take Nevada Route 160 west through Pahrump, then turn left and follow Bell Vista Avenue across the state line. The name might sound ominous, but Death Valley National Park in wintertime is strangely inviting. The most direct way in, and the one I’d suggest for people with only a day or two for the park, is to Pahrump, then Stateline Road to Death Valley Junction and CA Hwy 190 into the park. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40410452', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Death Valley is very pleasant in December. The major natural wonders along Badwater Road are in the northern 25 km, so if you go through Shoshone, most of the southern portion of this road will be about long-range panoramas rather than specific natural marvels. We have never been there and don't know much about the area. WILDFLOWERS - will this be a superbloom year? Fewer people means more room to start snapping photos across Death Valley. Answer 1 of 12: Hi guys, We are going to visit the USA for the first time this December and do a trip which starts in LA through San Francisco, Sequoia Park, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Sedona, San Diego. We'll talk about the lodging options so you can do your research and decide soon; winter is a popular visitor season so you'll want to reserve while there is a good selection. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40473366', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Las Vegas to Death Valley is a couple of hours. Death Valley is very pleasant in December. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. You need to know, if this applies to you, you CANNOT enter Yosemite from the east in winter once Tioga Pass closes; this usually happens in early November but can vary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-40386926', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Las Vegas, through Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes over two days and hence an overnight stay somewhere in Death Valley. Thorn Tree forum Country forums United States of America. 6 Must-See National and State Parks in California. DV visit with 2 yrs and 6 yrs old - pahrump as a base? Stovepipe in general has more subdued lighting than (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The windiest month is April, followed by May and June. The peaks aren’t so high that you’ll be disoriented, and you may even be able to retrace your steps in the sand on the walk back to your car. I look forward to hear from you again when you have the time. From December through March, everything is cooler and quieter than it is during spring and summer, when the sun’s heat and the park’s crowds can be overwhelming. The rest of Death Valley National Park has a 30-day per calendar year camping limit. December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 2:02 am in Furnace Creek (Death Valley). Before heading out, pick up a free backcountry permit from any visitor center. In December, you’ll have fewer daylight hours, so it’s good to get an early start. It's the hottest place on earth and the driest spot in North America, getting less than 2 inches of rain per year on average. LAS VEGAS one-day turnaround trips - what can we see? Temperatures drop … The second hottest month? On 190 from DV Junction, it is right on the way, then 190 takes you to the north Badwater Junction and closer to Devil’s Golf Course, Badwater, Natural Bridge, Artist’s Drive, and Golden Canyon. It's good to make your reservations 7 or 8 months in advance otherwise you could be staying in a motel an hour away. As part of a month long holiday we are planning on driving from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The roads are smooth, the scenery is unique and the riding offers everything from cruises through salt flats to steep back-road inclines. The weather in Death Valley National Park in the month of january comes from statistical datas on the past years. It’s no wonder Death Valley has become a destination for cyclists. If you fill your tank there, you’ll have to buy less in Death Valley where gas is very expensive. The Moon phase calculator shows exact times of the various moon phases for Furnace Creek (Death Valley), California, USA in year 2021 or in other locations and years. It’s tough to explore the famous Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, for example, when the burning sun reflecting off the sand brings temperatures above 100 degrees. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. Visiting Death Valley in the winter is the way to do it. WOW! But yes, sunset will be early; if you want to be at a particular place to see it, check at the visitor center for the time and give yourself a time cushion so you can enjoy all of it. Normally, the heat hinders hiking in Death Valley. I would add that the sun goes down very early in December. Get the monthly weather forecast for Death Valley, CA, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. In most locations north of Equator, the shortest day of the year is around this … Early in the month is a park-wide event called Death Valley '49ers Encampment, honoring the pioneers of 1849 who got lost heading for the California Gold Rush and were stranded in what they later named Death Valley. I really appreciate you taking the time to help. Fly into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and pick up your rental car. When I visited the road to Eureka dunes was not officially open (as well as some others I didn't care about), but a ranger was nice enough to hint that … Visiting Death Valley in California USA was one of the most anticipated adventures of our trip.. "At Death Valley the sky literally begins at your feet," said Tyler Nordgren, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Redlands (Calif.) and International Dark-Sky Association board member. The other resorts are Stovepipe Wells Village, a half hour northwest of Furnace Creek, and Panamint Springs, a half hour west of Stovepipe. Death Valley holds the record for the highest recorded temperature on earth of 134 °F, and it was living up to its name. Alamo.com offers a variety of vehicles for Alamo Rent A Car at many airports in the US to meet your car rental needs, including: economy, fullsize, hybrid and luxury cars, SUVs and minivans. But in January, the number of recreational visitors dips to just over a third of its August peak, according to the park service. Must-See Attractions In and Around Las Vegas. Generator hours: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Explore Death Valley in winter with these three must-do activities. Read on to discover the most exciting things to do in Death Valley National Park: the must-visit Death Valley attractions and points of interest you will not want to miss! Take a direct route: as noted Death Valley and then across to 99. Their ordeal was in December, otherwise they would probably have died. For that reason, many summer visitors see only the beginning of the dunes, comprised of ridges or hills of sand formed by the wind. Generally, the temperatures are moderate at lower elevations with some snow in the mountains, a beautiful contrast. Death Valley National Park Weather in December While the middle of December gets fewer crowds, the period from Christmas until New Year’s is far more bustling at the national park. 5. It can rain, sometimes heavily, to the point that roads are washed out and canyons flooded. Because the dunes are constantly shifting with the wind, there’s no marked trailhead — just pick a ridge and start wandering. These are the product of water erosion down the canyon, You can see some of the beautiful colors and formations without a strenuous hike.. Death Valley Weather in December. He spends his summers working as a guide in Iceland, where he tries his best not to antagonize the local sheep. Getting to Zabriskie Point: Drive 30 miles east on California Route 190 from the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station. Getting to the dunes: The parking lot for the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is on California Route 190, about 2 miles east of the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Located in southeastern California, Death Valley National Park is about 4.5 hours by road from Los Angeles and a two-hour drive from Las Vegas in neighboring Nevada. Death Valley Junction is a ghost town, a former borax mining settlement. Daytime temperatures usually reach 18°C in Death Valley in December, falling to 3°C at night. What maps to use? You won’t need 4wd to see the sights I’ve mentioned if the weather has been mild. "When my students and I look up at night from our southern California campus, we can usually count 12 stars in the sky. Generators are prohibited in Texas Springs Campground, except from April 16 to May 15 in the upper loop from 7 a.m. … Stop by Las Vegas Cyclery, which offers road, mountain and e-bike rentals for up to two weeks. (More on snow later.) This canyon is better in daylight (mid-morning to mid-afternoon), especially in winter, because it is a north-south canyon with sheer walls, so the lighting is best when the sun is higher.The canyon has white polished walls that look like marble, and broken rock floors resembling mosaics. There may actually be road closures this time of year. Answer 1 of 2: Hello! From an observation deck, to a Roller Coaster and Red Rocks Canyon see all that Las Vegas has to offer on and off the Strip. 3 Things to Do in Death Valley National Park in Winter The name might sound ominous, but Death Valley National Park in wintertime is strangely inviting. Thank you so much! Plan your trip and get on the road! LODGING - which Death Valley resort or hotel is best for us? I see it like this pretty often. Not clear you have time for Yosemite too, aside from driving to the valley (with your chains) and then heading back out on 140 to San Francisco. Copyright ©2020 Alamo. We spent half a day there on our 10-day West Coast road trip since we were only passing through Death Valley on our way from Las Vegas to Yosemite. The least humid month is June (9.6% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (36.3%). If you stay there, you’d need to see all of the major sights in the park on your first day, or else backtrack on the second day, which I don’t think would be an efficient use of your time. Many thanks for all of the wonderful advice. Panamint Springs is still more rustic, and it’s on the west edge of the park so it might be farther than you want to go. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. Are constantly shifting with the wind, there is the additional fun of looking itinerary. Winter storm conditions are possible all the way to do it spends his summers working as guide. 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