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Death Valley operates 24 hours a day year-round and charges a $30 cashless entrance fee for a 7-day private vehicle pass. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center staffs its desks daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Death Valley National Park remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visitors cross the borders at any hour, though extreme summer temperatures exceeding 120°F severely limit daytime activities between April and October. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center operates daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | Furnace Creek Visitor Center open 08:00–17:00 |
The park never closes for public or religious holidays. The National Park Service waives the standard $30 vehicle entrance fee on specific dates, including Juneteenth (June 19) and throughout National Park Week. Automated fee machines process credit card payments 24/7 on all other days.
A 7-day pass costs $30 for a private vehicle and covers all passengers. The park operates a completely cashless system, requiring credit or digital payments at automated machines or visitor centers. Display the receipt clearly on your dashboard to avoid receiving a citation from park rangers.
Fees are waived for all visitors on special dates like Juneteenth (June 19) and during National Park Week, while families with fourth-grade students enter free year-round.
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View All ToursVisit Death Valley between November and March to avoid lethal summer weather. Daytime highs hover between 60°F and 80°F, allowing for full-day hikes and extended camping instead of 20-minute dashes from an air-conditioned car. Because winter provides the only safe conditions for outdoor exploration, you will share the major trailheads and viewpoints with the park's heaviest crowds.
Plan a four-day itinerary to hike the trails, drive the scenic routes, and stargaze across the 3.3 million acres without rushing. A quick day trip from Las Vegas is possible, but covers only a fraction of the terrain. Extreme heat between April and October drastically limits this timeline, forcing visitors into 20-minute outdoor intervals near air-conditioned vehicles.
Buy your $30 vehicle pass at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center or use the 24/7 automated machines. The park transitioned to a fully cashless system in June 2023. Display the receipt clearly on your dashboard to prevent rangers from issuing a citation.
Carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day. The National Park Service advises drinking two to four liters daily to prevent severe dehydration. Even during the cooler 60°F to 80°F winter months, the desert air rapidly drains your body's moisture.
Wear thick-soled sandals or water shoes when walking out onto the Badwater Basin salt flats. The white crust looks soft like snow but actually consists of sharp, jagged salt crystals. Thin soles will let you feel the painful edges with every step.
Lock in your speed while driving the wide-open desert highways. Both the National Park Service and the California Highway Patrol strictly enforce speed limits. Single-vehicle rollovers are the leading cause of visitor fatalities, so shift into low gear on steep downhill grades.
Limit your time outside an air-conditioned vehicle to under 20 minutes between April and October. Thermometers regularly hit 120°F and peak at 130°F, turning short walks into life-threatening heatstroke risks. Complete all low-elevation activities before mid-morning.
A private vehicle pass costs $30 and covers all passengers for seven days. Motorcycles enter for $25, while individual bicyclists and walk-ins pay $15. You can also buy a Death Valley annual pass for $55 or use the $80 America the Beautiful pass.
The park transitioned to a fully cashless system on June 1, 2023. Visitors must use a credit card, debit card, or digital payment. Purchase your pass at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center or a 24/7 automated fee machine, then display it on your dashboard to avoid a citation.
You can drive into or out of the park 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Facilities maintain specific schedules. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center operates daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
No public transportation or park-operated shuttle exists within Death Valley boundaries. You must bring a private vehicle or join a permitted commercial tour. Renting a car in Las Vegas and driving the 120 miles via Highway 160 takes about two hours.
Fuel is available but typically costs $5 to $6 per gallon. Fill your tank in surrounding towns before crossing the park boundary. Running out of gas on remote, unpaved backcountry roads can leave you stranded in extreme heat.
November through March provides daytime highs between 60°F and 80°F. Summer visits carry severe risks. Temperatures regularly exceed 120°F from April to October, forcing visitors to stay within a short walk of an air-conditioned vehicle to avoid life-threatening heatstroke.
Children 16 and under, disabled individuals, veterans, active military personnel, and families with a fourth-grade student pay nothing. The National Park Service also waives fees for everyone on specific dates like Juneteenth and during National Park Week.
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