How to Get to Death Valley National Park
How to Get to Death Valley National Park
In the vast Mojave Desert, Death Valley National Park beckons adventurers with its panoramic beauty and extreme landscapes. Getting to this iconic national park requires a bit of planning, but the journey is part of the adventure. Whether you're driving from nearby cities, flying into regional airports, or even considering public transportation, here's everything you need to know to reach Death Valley National Park:
Driving to Death Valley National Park
Driving to Death Valley is the most common and convenient ways to access the park. The vast desert landscape makes for a memorable, scenic road trip. You’ll want to plan ahead since you shouldn’t rely on cell-service, gps, or wifi while in remote sections of the park. Here are key routes to consider:
From Las Vegas, Nevada: Death Valley's eastern entrance is approximately 2-3 hours away from Las Vegas (depending on traffic). Although a day trip from Las Vegas is doable, you’ll find Death Valley deserves a little more than that.
From Los Angeles, California: If you're heading to Death Valley National Park from Los Angeles, the park's western entrance is about a 4-5 hour drive away.
From San Francisco, California: Although a longer drive, around 8-9 hours, the journey from San Francisco offers diverse scenery and more opportunities to see the highlights of California.
There are three gas stations located within the park. You can learn more about driving in the park on Death Valley’s Direction and Transportation section of their website here.
Flying to Death Valley National Park
There are two small airports in Death Valley if you are arriving by private plane, Furnace Creek Airport and Stovepip Wells Airport. You can find more details about those here.
For the rest of us, the closest airports to Death Valley National park that serve as gateways to the region are as follows:
McCarran International Airport (LAS): Located in Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport is the closest major airport to Death Valley. From there, you can rent a car and embark on the scenic drive to the park.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): LAX offers numerous flights from various destinations. Renting a car at LAX allows you to make the 4-5 hour journey to Death Valley.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): While farther away, SFO provides another option for travelers coming from Northern California. Rent a car at SFO and prepare for the 8-9 hour drive to the park.
Taking a Bus to Death Valley National Park
While less common, there are bus services that provide access to Death Valley:
Bundu Bus: Bundu Bus offers bus connections to various destinations including Death Valley four times a week. You can learn more and find their schedule here.
Flix Bus: While Flix Bus will not take you directly to Death Valley National Park, if you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to get closer to one of the surrounding cities, like Las Vegas, it’s a great option.
Guided Tours of Death Valley National Park
If you’re interested in an affordable guided tour of Death Valley National park, consider using Get Your Guide to find activities and experiences that you can do solo or with a small group.
Final Thoughts
However you choose to travel, Death Valley will be an unforgettable experience. Just remember to plan ahead, pack plenty of water, and soak up the beauty of God’s creation.
If you’re wondering when is the best time of year to plan your visit to Death Valley National Park, check out When to Visit Death Valley National Park.