This California region has sand dunes, salt flats, and views that barely look real

Exploring one of the largest national parks in the United States can feel overwhelming, especially if you only have a single day to plan around. The scenery shifts quickly from dramatic overlooks to wide open terrain, creating a sense of constant discovery from one stop to the next. In Death Valley National Park, giant craters, shimmering salt flats, and colorful desert formations come together to create an unforgettable adventure. This itinerary highlights the best places to visit so you can experience it all in just one day.

Table Of Contents

Stop #1: Zabriskie Point

A stunning view of the rolling, eroded hills at Zabriskie Point during sunrise, showcasing one of the breathtaking stops among the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Zabriskie Point is one of the most iconic spots in Death Valley, especially at sunrise when the golden colors light up the badlands. Located on CA-190, it offers panoramic views of the Golden Canyon badlands, Manly Beacon, and the salt flats with the Panamint Mountains in the background. The easy 0.4-mile hike from the parking lot takes about 5-10 minutes, and you can spend 15 minutes to an hour enjoying the views or hiking down to the badlands.

Stop #2: Ubehebe Crater

A dramatic image of Ubehebe Crater, with its steep, multi-colored walls illuminated by sunlight, capturing one of the awe-inspiring stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Ubehebe Crater is a 600-foot-deep volcanic crater with a 0.5-mile diameter, located about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the main area of Death Valley. Formed 2,100 years ago by an explosion of hot magma meeting groundwater, the crater glows with yellow and orange hues as the sun rises. You can view it from the parking lot or take a 1.5-mile hike around or down into the crater, but be cautious as it’s much easier to hike down than back up.

Directions: From Zabriskie Point, drive on CA-190 West to Scotty’s Castle Road and then turn on Ubehebe Crater Road.

Stop #3: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

A close-up view of rippling patterns in the sand at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, representing one of the iconic stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the most popular and accessible dunes in Death Valley, rising up to 100 feet and covering a large area. Named for the Mesquite trees growing on them, these dunes are great for hiking, photography, and even sandboarding. Hiking to the tallest dune is a moderate 2-mile trek that takes about 2 hours, but you can also explore some of the dunes in just 15-20 minutes.

Directions: From Ubehebe Crater, drive back on Ubehebe Crater Road to Scotty’s Castle Road, and then CA-190 West and take a right after 5.3 miles.

Stop #4: Devil’s Cornfield

A wide-angle shot of the unique shrub formations at Devil’s Cornfield, with distant mountains under a clear blue sky, one of the intriguing stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Devil’s Cornfield is a unique roadside stop named for its strange, dried bundles that resemble corn stalks. While less popular than other attractions, these 6-foot-tall bundles are actually Arrowweed plants that have adapted to Death Valley’s extreme heat and dryness. You can spend a few minutes observing them or up to 30 minutes walking deeper into the field to see the taller bundles.

Directions: From the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, it’s 3.9 miles on CA-190 East and you’ll see it on the right.

Stop #5: Salt Creek Interpretive Trail

A wooden boardwalk winding through a dry, desert landscape on the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, offering an educational and scenic stop in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: © RomanKhomlyak via Canva.com

Surprisingly, you can find water in Death Valley at Salt Creek, especially during the winter. This salty oasis is home to unique pupfish and pickleweed plants that have adapted to the harsh environment. The Salt Creek Interpretive Trail is an easy 0.5-mile boardwalk hike, and you can spend 30 minutes to an hour exploring this fascinating spot.

Directions: From the Devil’s Cornfield, continue on CA-190 East for 5.5 miles and turn right at the gates to the unpaved Salt Creek Road for the trail.

Stop #6: Badwater Basin

A vast expanse of salt flats at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, making it one of the must-see stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Badwater Basin is a must-see in Death Valley, as it’s the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. From the parking lot, you’ll see 200+ miles of salt flats, naturally shaped into polygons, and a pool of salty water supporting unique wildlife. You can hike onto the salt flats for better views, but be careful of the uneven ground; plan to spend about an hour exploring this incredible spot.

Directions: From the Salt Creek Trail, continue on CA-190 East for around 15 miles and turn right on to Badwater Road for 16 more miles for Badwater Basin.

Stop #7: National Bridge

A group of hikers exploring under the natural rock arch at National Bridge, highlighting it as a unique geological stop in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Hike to the Natural Bridge, a 35-foot-high and 35-foot-thick arch made of mountain sediment, rock, and gravel. The 1-mile trail is moderate with an 86-foot elevation gain, featuring a gravel path that’s slightly uphill but not too challenging. After seeing the arch, you can explore further to find a dried-up waterfall and hanging canyons, making it a worthwhile 1-hour hike.

Directions: From Badwater Basin, drive back on Badwater Road and turn right on Natural Bridge Road to its parking lot. The Natural Bridge Road is an unpaved and very bumpy road and will take a while to drive through but is possible.

Stop #8: Devil’s Golf Course

A close-up view of the rugged, sharp salt formations at Devil’s Golf Course, illustrating one of the challenging and fascinating stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Devil’s Golf Course is a vast area of jagged salt formations, created by wind and water erosion after the lake dried up. If it’s quiet, you might hear the salt crystals popping in the heat. While you can view these formations from the parking lot, it’s worth walking out onto the rugged “golf course,” where you might even see others posing with golf clubs!

Directions: From Natural Bridge Road, head out onto Badwater Road and after 2 miles, turn left on to Salt Pool Road. Salt Pool Road is also a dirt unpaved road made of gravel so drive carefully while entering and exiting Devil’s Golf Course.

Stop #9: Artist’s Palette

Vibrant, multi-colored rock formations at Artist’s Palette, displaying one of the most visually striking stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Artist’s Palette is a stunning display of colors caused by oxidation and volcanic deposits rich in iron oxides and chlorite. As you drive the 9-mile Artists Drive, you’ll first see pale yellow hills, followed by vibrant blue, green, and pink landscapes. Plan for about an hour to explore the colorful rock formations and vistas, but be aware that the curvy, one-way road has some steep inclines and declines.

Directions: From Devil’s Golf Course on Salt Pool Road, drive back on Badwater Road for a few miles until you see the Artists Drive on the right.

Stop #10: Dante’s View

A panoramic view from Dante’s View, overlooking the vast desert landscape of Death Valley, offering one of the most breathtaking stops in the 10 stops in Death Valley National Park. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Dante’s View is Death Valley’s highest viewpoint, offering stunning views of the basin, salt flats, and the Panamint Range from 5,575 feet up. It’s a popular spot for sunsets, though it’s usually 10-15 degrees cooler, so bring a jacket. As your last stop, you can stay until dark to see the moon reflecting on the salt flats, and Star Wars fans might recognize it as a filming location from the 1977 movie.

Directions: Head out of Artists Drive to Badwater Road and onto CA-190 East for 10+ miles. Then take a right on to Furnace Creek Wash Road for 7.5 miles until you hit Dantes View Road. Dantes View Road is curvy and steep towards the top.