Before You GoDeath Valley National Park
Best Time to Visit Death Valley
The best time to visit Death Valley is October to April, when the average high is 65 to 93 F. July averages 116 F. Month table, heat rules and the 2026 fee.
Death Valley National Park
The hottest and lowest national park, on the California and Nevada line, about two hours west of Las Vegas.
From October to April the average high at Furnace Creek is 65 to 93 F. In July the average high is 116 F and the average low is 88 F. NPS says to drink at least one gallon of water a day. It also says to stay on paved roads and close to your car, and to stay with the car if it breaks down.
On the NPS road page, with status from 10 October 2026, Scotty's Castle and Bonnie Clare Road are closed for flood recovery work. The one-way part of Titus Canyon Road is closed, and NPS expects it to reopen in May 2027. Highway 190 and Badwater Road to Badwater Basin are not listed as closed.
Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level and 17 to 18 miles south of Furnace Creek. Zabriskie Point is a 15-minute drive east on Highway 190. The entrance fee is $30 a car for 7 days. Gas is sold at Furnace Creek, Panamint Springs and Stovepipe Wells.
Before You Go