We are planning our trip to Death Valley. How many days should we stay to see most sights? We are thinking about early May 2014.Thanks!

May will be way too hot to enjoy your stay. Death Valley is best visited in Dec, Jan, Feb, and March. The desert flowers will be blooming in mid Feb to mid March.We like going in late Jan. It isn't too crowded yet and weather is usually sunny and cool to mild.The park is very big, so we like to spend a couple or three days up at the north end in Mesquite Springs campground, water and dump station and see the sights up there, then we go down to Stovepipe Wells campground, water and dump, or Furnace Creek campground...there are three down there. and see the sights down on that end.So 4 days should do it for the main sites of interest.

Thanks for the information. We will go back to our calendar and look at dates in March.Thanks!

We spent one week in Death Valley, you will see most all in a week. Do not miss Scotty's castle. We went towards the end of April and were able to enjoy the RV/hotels outdoor pool in the afternoons.West Beachhouse

2 to 3 full days to see the typical sights. A week if you want to take your time and see some of the out of the way stuff.With A/C may isn't too bad. If it's really hot do your sight seeing early in the morning and at dusk. Some places (devils golf course, badwater, the crater, race track...etc) you'll park get out and spend a few minutes then move on to the next. It's doable even in 100 degree heat as long as the vehicle A/C works well.

If you like hiking, there is plenty of opportunity for that, so add on some extra time.Mike

How long in Death Valley | Good Sam Community

DaveG39
Explorer
Aug 03, 2013
I have been three times in early March. Flowers out and not choking heat. I would not go later than first two weeks in March. I recommend budgeting a week, half at furnace Creek and half at Stovepipe Wells.
Don___Carolyn
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
THANKS for all the wonderful responses! We really appreciate it! We are excited to go.
caver
Nomad
Aug 02, 2013
2gypsies wrote:

...and just where did you find shade? :)

Under my awning. :)
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2013
caver wrote:
I camped there April 30 and it was 103 in the shade.

...and just where did you find shade? :)
caver
Nomad
Aug 02, 2013
I camped there April 30 and it was 103 in the shade. Most miserable night of camping I can ever recall. Oh and the 35-45 MPH wind gusts all night didn't help. That was near Furnace Creek.
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2013
If you like to hike, and if the weather is cool, there are lots of great slot canyons:

We camped at Mesquite Springs in December -- there was fresh snow on the hills surrounding the campground:
RVnRobin
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
I dunno...
We been here two years and still haven't seen more than 1/2 the park.
Summer visiting is manageable if you plan ahead.
:)
Atlee
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2013
We plan on going to DV late February/early March in 2014. Since it will be the only time for us, we'll have to do both Scotty's Castle & Underground tour. :)

2gypsies wrote:
If you can manage November the 49ers celebration is a fun time to be there - the first week, I believe. Feb/March are perfect months, too. May is definitely too late. Definitely take the Scotty's Castle home tour. The Underground Tour is good, also but if it's your first time, do the home tour. It's amazing, as is all of Death Valley. Have a great trip!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2013
If you can manage November the 49ers celebration is a fun time to be there - the first week, I believe. Feb/March are perfect months, too. May is definitely too late. Definitely take the Scotty's Castle home tour. The Underground Tour is good, also but if it's your first time, do the home tour. It's amazing, as is all of Death Valley. Have a great trip!
bka0721
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2013
It really depends what your interests are into. I seem to never have enough time to get to all the places I want to see, do and photograph. The first time I was in Death Valley, I stayed 30 days (4 wks), the second and third time I stayed 5 weeks. Still more to see and do and will be back this winter again and I am planning on being there 30 days, again.

It has been my experience the desert blooms are more often to begin appearing in mid March (the beginning of Spring Break in many parts of the country, through April), so prepare accordingly.

bryan