May 2026
Since we’ve been living in Las Vegas we’ve been trying to see as many Southwest/West National Parks as we can in our off time from school and work. So far we’ve visited Zion (UT), Great Basin (NV), Death Valley (CA), Rocky Mountain (CO), and Joshua Tree (CA).
Our favorite by far was Death Valley National Park. Yes, this is correct, it’s just a hair ahead of Zion, and I can explain why.
First, the drive to Death Valley is only 2 hours from Las Vegas, which makes it the closest National Park. The proximity, while specific to where we live, is an obvious perk.
Second, I think the name “Death” Valley alone generates some negative imagery leading people to not have it on the top of their list. This is my opinion, but before visiting, I imagined a barren landscape with 120-degree temperatures and dry cracked ground in every corner of the park. Due to this I think it is generally less crowded than most parks.
The park is very large with the points of interest spread out, so this too helps disperse the crowd. Going to a National Park that is not mobbed by people is really such a plus towards your experience. It’s nice to feel that you can explore nature and the wonder without pushing through crowds or searching for parking the entire time.
Third, while it is hot in some months, it’s not in all, so pick a month when it’s not unbearable! We visited in November, which was perfect.
Fourth, I just don’t think the wonder of the park is advertised to what you actually experience. It’s hard to understand how otherworldly this park is until you go there.
You experience extremes of sorts. Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. It is incredible with its saltwater flats and epic mountain views in the background. Just down the road you have Devil’s golf course, which is something to behold with its salt clumped landscape. Opposite to that you have a more mountainous landscape with a natural bridge (arch) and the Artist’s Palate area in its unique colors. Zabriskie’s point showcases what might look like another planet with its wavy floors and to the North there are the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. It’s like you’ve truly entered another world at this park.
To further support this point, several scenes in Start Wars were filmed in Death Valley. Once you visit, you understand why that location was selected. And if you’re a Star Wars fan, it would be fun to look those sites up in advance and treasure hunt them all.
Besides the incredible landscapes there is also the historical piece to the park. Borax was once mined in the area, and you can visit the remains of a processing site. It is famous for the 20-mule teams that hauled the Borax out of the area. Gold mining also drew people to the area. One individual, Walter Scott, built “Scotty’s Castle”, which is a large mansion that attracted others to the area.
We didn’t see Scotty’s Castle on our first trip, nor did we see an entire section to the North and West which showcases the Ubehebe Crater and the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns. But since it’s only 2 hours from Vegas, we plan to do another trip for sure!
Beyond the epic views and history, the fifth reason that this is our all-time favorite National Park (so far) is that we stayed in the park (Ranch at Death Valley). This was a great experience and super convenient. It was walkable to the onsite restaurants and shops, and it gave us access to the pool, which was a huge hit for the kids. It is apparently fed by a natural underground spring. Swimming in November in the middle of a National Park is a “cool” thing to do. Plus, the background for a picture is nice. Beyond the pool, the little shop area has an old train you can check out. The whole Ranch area just offers a quick reprieve from being on the go of seeing the park. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Also, since we stayed inside the park we took advantage of going to stargaze after sundown. We drove to the Borax Works site, which is probably less than 5 mins from the hotel to do the stargazing. There were several others doing the same thing. It was a great experience, especially for the kids.
Of all the National Parks we’ve visited, when I look back at the photos, the ones from Death Valley are the most stunning and really showcases how amazing nature is and the beauty the park had to offer. Truly underrated in my humble opinion.
There was essentially no crowd when we went, so that was nice. I can’t stress enough how much this park is a must do if you are in the Vegas area and can swing it. For more details about our Death Valley trip, check out my other page here.
Happy Trails!