Death Valley National Park – California (2024)

by heavenstobetty, posted in Homeschool, National Parks and Monuments, Photography, RV Living With Kids, Travel

The Hottest, Driest, and Lowest National Park.

Our first stop on our road trip to Arizona was Death Valley National Park in California. We arrived at the campsite in the late afternoon with just enough light to get set up, get our park pass, eat dinner, and head to a Ranger-led night sky talk. The night sky program was wonderful. Every night sky program we’ve had the pleasure of attending has been wonderful. If you ever have the opportunity, we recommend attending a ranger led night sky program.

The road from Beatty, NV into Death Valley National Park
Every Kid Outdoors – Free 4th grade National Park pass

Our #1 to do activity was to hike to “the far sand dune” at Mesquite Sand Dunes. When we visited here 3 years ago, B had really really wanted to hike to the far dune but we weren’t able to fit it in. My husband and I had promised that we’d hike to the dune “next time”. “Next time” is now.

I found these intensely bright neon shoe cover sand walking booties and I thought that anything claiming it would make walking in loose sand easier was worth a try! Walking up dunes of loose sand is difficult hiking.

Totally kept the sand out of my hiking shoes!
Made it to the summit of the far dune. About a 3 mile hike there and back.

We saw a coyote on the drive to the parking lot at Mesquite Dunes. It was walking very slowly and right next to the road, which seems like very strange behavior for a wild coyote. I’m afraid there was probably something wrong with it.

Took this photo from the car. I’m afraid the poor animal was unwell.
Kangaroo Rat tracks

We brought along a plastic snow sled for sledding down the dunes. It worked well as long as the dune was very steep. The kiddos all took turns, here’s a video of the younger two sledding on the sand.

We stayed at Stovepipe Wells campground which is basically a gravel parking lot with no hook ups for $10 a night. There is a restroom with flushing toilets. We paid for 2 sites so the kiddos could sleep in a tent pitched in the spot next to the trailer.

Mosaic Canyon is really close to the Stovepipe Wells campground, so we did the first bit of that hike. We were too tired out from hiking the dunes to do the whole thing.

The canyon walls are very beautiful.

Our other top thing on our to do list was the Great Salt flat at Badwater Basin. I especially wanted to go and see if temporary Lake Manly was still there…

… it was spectacular!
Salt crystals in the water of Lake Manley.

We enjoyed our visit to Death Valley very much, and we were able to successfully hit our top 3 to-dos plus a bonus night sky talk in our 2-night and 1-day visit! The kiddos have already earned Junior Ranger badges at this park so we didn’t do them again.

sunset at Stovepipe Wells

15 thoughts on “Death Valley National Park – California (2024)”

  2. Amazing you sharing your trip for Death valley National park. The great photography. All photos are wonderful. I like your younger two sledding on the send. Beautiful canyon walls & Salt crystals in the water of Lake Manley.you enjoyed your visit to Death valley visit.

    Wonderful place.

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  5. Wonderful post! And great job on the heart picture! Hiking on sand dunes is tough, and I’m impressed that you did a 3 mile hike. The salt flat pictures were beautiful. I didn’t realize all that Death Valley had to offer. Thanks for your post!

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