We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. WILDLIFE - do they bite? You’ll be out in nature and be able to see the vistas all around, enjoy sunrise and/or sunset from a variety of magnificent settings, take nature strolls or rides, and maybe have a roadrunner or coyote greet you in the morning. Hiking Death Valley. Generally, the temperatures are moderate at lower elevations with some snow in the mountains, a beautiful contrast. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Must-See Attractions In and Around Las Vegas. The second hottest month? 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. HOWEVER, a couple of big CAVEATS: December is winter in California. 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. On average December is the 6th wettest month of the year in Death Valley with around 4mm 0.1 inches of rain making it a very dry time to visit.. On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7.1 hours of sunshine per day. Death Valley Junction is a ghost town, a former borax mining settlement. Death Valley National Park - December 2020 - Part Two ... Where were we off to on our last full day in Death Valley National Park? 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 … Answer 1 of 2: Hello! It's a quick walk to the central part of the resort, the restaurant, store, etc., but it's at the edge of the property where there is less foot traffic and the lighting is less intense. Death Valley’s Winter Sports A properly equipped winter sports enthusiast in Death Valley is outfitted with good hiking boots, sunscreen, hat, binoculars, camera, golf clubs, bathing suit, tennis racket, water, full tank of gas and light jacket. From (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Scenic Route > Travel Destination Guides > National Parks > Death Valley Winter: Visiting Death Valley in December. It's $39-49 each way on Virgin America and takes 90 minutes. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. There are normally 6 hours of bright sunshine each day in Death Valley in December - that's 65% of daylight hours . Easily accessible and especially enjoyable in winter, Mesquite Flat features three types of dunes — crescent, linear and star-shaped — and it’s the only dune field that permits sandboarding in Death Valley. Daytime temperatures usually reach 18°C in Death Valley in December, falling to 3°C at night. We though we were smart by going shoulder season. 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. From there to Dante’s View, you’ll follow Route 190 for 12 miles before turning right onto Furnace Creek Wash Road. Take Nevada Route 160 west through Pahrump, then turn left and follow Bell Vista Avenue across the state line. All Rights Reserved. It's good to make your reservations 7 or 8 months in advance otherwise you could be staying in a motel an hour away. ROUTES to Death Valley? Many thanks for all of the wonderful advice. Temperatures drop … 5-stars Hotels in Death Valley National Park, Popular Death Valley National Park Categories. Hwy 395 from Lone Pine (or more usually Big Pine) northward is subject to winter storms that may bring heavy snow, icy surfaces, and high winds. And other DV enthusiasts will come and share too. 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. You won’t need 4wd to see the sights I’ve mentioned if the weather has been mild. The adventure continues in Part Three - Click Here. I was in Death Valley in early December two years ago. It is one of the best national parks to visit in December and the weather is a large reason why. 6 Must-See National and State Parks in California. If you fill your tank there, you’ll have to buy less in Death Valley where gas is very expensive. Because the dunes are constantly shifting with the wind, there’s no marked trailhead — just pick a ridge and start wandering. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. Located between Nevada and California, Death Valley National Park is the second largest in the United States. Thorn Tree forum Country forums United States of America. If you’re a cyclist, especially one who lives somewhere too cold for winter riding, a Death Valley trip could be just the thing to keep you motivated during the off-season. In the morning, there is the additional fun of looking for animal tracks in the dunes. Discover gardens with incredible views, stunning rock formations, Spanish-style beach towns and more all within California, The Golden State. The park can be too hot to ride in the summer, and there are more cars on the roads in fall and spring, so winter is the time to do it. Death Valley Service to Close Noon Dec. 7, 2020, Your vision for Stovepipe Wells & Emigrant areas, Driving from Stovepipe Wells Village to The Strip Vegas, See All Death Valley National Park Conversations, Driving Las Vegas to Yosemite - Where to stop. LAS VEGAS one-day turnaround trips - what can we see? Take a direct route: as noted Death Valley and then across to 99. Death Valley weather is best in December and January. The most quiet area, and the darkest for nighttime stargazing, is the Roadrunner building. We are a family of 4 from Australia travelling to the US in December of this year. I am looking for itinerary suggestions for Death valley NP in December end. 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. This is a beautiful scenic route, but it will take you longer. December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 2:02 am in Furnace Creek (Death Valley). The least humid month is June (9.6% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (36.3%). Death Valley has some months with regular humidity, with some extremely dry months. We will be traveling with a 13YO, 10Yo and a 6month old. But in January, the number of recreational visitors dips to just over a third of its August peak, according to the park service. Related: What are the most popular tours in Death Valley National Park? Death Valley - US 395 - Yosemite in December. Note: December in Death Valley is as "cold" as January. DV visit with 2 yrs and 6 yrs old - pahrump as a base? 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! Between now and February, the Furnace Creek Golf Course will host a steady stream of golfers. 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. They are all on paved roads or graded gravel side roads that are maintained regularly. How far to ____ ? Also, this will put you far out of the way to go to Dante’s View, one of the great must-see places of Death Valley. Fly into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and pick up your rental car. Mammoth is a renowned ski destination and there will be snow, on the highways around the town and on local streets. 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. 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. For that reason, many summer visitors see only the beginning of the dunes, comprised of ridges or hills of sand formed by the wind. The parking lot will be on your right. We will do as much as possible on the drive to there from LV on the first day. 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. The rest of Death Valley National Park has a 30-day per calendar year camping limit. more, Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, Death Valley National Park Destination Experts. Rainy days: 0. Generators are prohibited in Texas Springs Campground, except from April 16 to May 15 in the upper loop from 7 a.m. … I would add that the sun goes down very early in December. The roads are smooth, the scenery is unique and the riding offers everything from cruises through salt flats to steep back-road inclines. Probably before 5:00 PM. 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. 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. 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. Warmest regards , Lisa. During summer, the valley is blazing hot and the Inn at Death Valley is closed. Become an Alamo Insider and save 5% off of our already low rates. Death Valley Explorer Tour by Tour Trekker, Death Valley National Park - Private, Custom Adventure w/ Pro Photography, Private Tour: Death Valley Day Tour with Evening Milky Way Viewing, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. Mosaic Canyon is a fine hike just west of Stovepipe; it's on a gravel road that's OK for any car driven carefully. The Sand Dunes are magical at sunset and also sunrise. In any season, if you find it too hot on the valley floor, go up. So if you want groceries, stop at Pahrump. Furnace Creek has two facilities. JimG is one of our TAs who experienced Death Valley when almost no roads to natural wonders off the main roads were open, because of snow, ice, or mud. Death Valley is very pleasant in December. Accom doesn't need to be fancy but expect clean and happy if it is an interesting place to stay - not just touristy. 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. The kids are aged 16 and 13yrs and we are all reasonably fit. Email This BlogThis! Or see Death Valley from Las Vegas and fly. WOW! 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. 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. He spends his summers working as a guide in Iceland, where he tries his best not to antagonize the local sheep. Sky is clear and peaks can be snow-capped. 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. 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! That said, it’s always best to bring a map and let someone know where you’re planning to go. Normally, the heat hinders hiking in Death Valley. Death Valley holds the record for the highest recorded temperature on earth of 134 °F, and it was living up to its name. CAMPING - where and when can we camp in Death Valley? 4. The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash late Friday afternoon, Dec. 20, in Death Valley. Driving through Death Valley in August -advice please. Since your trip is in December, you have a little time to plan ahead. What maps to use? BACKCOUNTRY road conditions - can I get to ...? Stovepipe in general has more subdued lighting than (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I would appreciate any advice on where to stay, sites to see and best route based on: 3. "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. 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. (More on snow later.) The Ranch is a more mainstream, family-oriented place with more services: a variety of room styles, a big pool, golf course (lowest in the world), a general store, several restaurants, post office, and a small museum. Death Valley Weather in December. The Cottonwood and Panamint buildings are the most close-in, so there is more foot traffic. You can view the weather statistics for all the month, but also by using the tabs for the beginning, the middle and the end of the month. Charles Cody Siler is a writer, photographer, cyclist and active travel guide based in Bogotá, Colombia. There may actually be road closures this time of year. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. (Tip: Save time by reserving your bikes online.) In terms of daylight, this day is 4 hours, 59 minutes shorter than on June Solstice. Death Valley is on the border between the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts. The windiest month is April, followed by May and June. Back soon. It can rain, sometimes heavily, to the point that roads are washed out and canyons flooded. The main formation visible in the canyon is called Ely Springs Dolomite, a rusty colored rock. 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. Generally, the temperatures are moderate at lower elevations with some snow in the mountains, a beautiful contrast. They have a few different sizes and prices to choose from. Averages By Month. You have a couple of choices of lodgings in the park, and we do suggest staying in the park for the most authentic Death Valley experience. 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. Explore Death Valley in winter with these three must-do activities. Weather in Death Valley National Park in january 2021. Get answers to your questions about Death Valley National... WINTER - does it exist in Death Valley, or does summer last forever? Death Valley is famous for its vistas, and in spring and fall camera-toting tourists mob the park, eager to take that perfect shot. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? WILDFLOWERS - will this be a superbloom year? Plan your trip and get on the road! From December through March, everything is cooler and quieter than it is during spring and summer, when the … The strata in the north end of the Panamint Mountains has been tilted to almost vertical. 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. Getting to Zabriskie Point: Drive 30 miles east on California Route 190 from the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station. If your plans have you continuing north on 395, the winter storm conditions are possible all the way to Reno and beyond. 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. I really appreciate you taking the time to help. But you can walk across the road to the campground or the path to the airfield and find it quieter and darker. It can rain, sometimes heavily, to the point that roads are washed out and canyons flooded. 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. I appreciate the offer for even more help too! 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. 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. 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. SPW is my own favorite; it’s smaller and more rustic than Furnace Creek and it feels more to me like "being in Death Valley." SUMMER - is it safe to go to Death Valley? The name might sound ominous, but Death Valley National Park in wintertime is strangely inviting. The other resorts are Stovepipe Wells Village, a half hour northwest of Furnace Creek, and Panamint Springs, a half hour west of Stovepipe. Thank you so much! Death Valley, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Mosaic Canyon, Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Ubehebe Crater, California Friends, Death Valley weather is no joke. Wind in Death Valley is usually calm. On average, the warmest months are June, July and August Death Valley National Park has dry periods in January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November The coldest months are January and December 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. We have never been there and don't know much about the area. The weather in Death Valley National Park in the month of january comes from statistical datas on the past years. I like Stovepipe Wells, too. 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. Stop by Las Vegas Cyclery, which offers road, mountain and e-bike rentals for up to two weeks. Posted by Ski3pin at 10:52 AM. Is Death Valley wildlife dangerous? Trails Illustrated Death Valley National Park – This is a waterproof, tear-resistant map for all of Death Valley National Park.This is great if you like to have a durable physical map to use for the entire park. Today, the only services are the Amargosa Hotel and Opera House and a café. In December, you’ll have fewer daylight hours, so it’s good to get an early start. High temperature: 65°F (19°C) Low temperature: 39°F (4°C) Hours daylight/sun: 10 hours. Answer 1 of 9: We are a family of 4 from Australia travelling to the US in December of this year. Continue onto California Route 190 at the junction and follow this road to the park’s visitor center. Generator hours: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Before heading out, pick up a free backcountry permit from any visitor center. If you go during November's Leonid meteor showers, especially if they occur during a dark moon, you'll get an extra nighttime light show. 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. One of the park’s most famous — and somewhat challenging — rides goes from Furnace Creek up to Dante’s View, where you’ll enjoy a panorama of the southern Death Valley basin and the Owlshead Mountains rising in the south. And what plans do you have after Mammoth? Death Valley has snow at higher elevations and often heavy rain elsewhere, and this may cause some roads to be closed or require chains. 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. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. It might not be the typical winter wonderland, but this desert on the California-Nevada border offers its own kind of magic. Copyright ©2020 Alamo. Other good news is that Mammoth is about four hours from Furnace Creek in DV, so you can spend some of the morning seeing places in Death Valley and taking your time to Mammoth; see my post on Leicestershire’s thread titled “I think I have boobed” for some comments about the route. , in Death Valley National Park Categories to 7 p.m., unless otherwise posted to... Most quiet area, and the Inn at Death Valley, or does summer last forever December. Route based on: 3 Park destination Experts by posting to an open or. 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