Telescope Peak from Dante's View
Death Valley is only a little over two hour's drive from Las Vegas.The best time to go is in the springtime, particularly after a rainy winter. The wildflowers can be great. But much of the scenery there is geologic. The drives and stops along the road are all worthwhile. While many can be done in a car, a few require 4WD. The best of the 4WD drives is Titus Canyon.
Staying in Sunset or Stovepipe Wells campgrounds is not great - they are just large parking lots with toilets. Great if you have a self contained RV. Antd the main campground at Furnace Creek is not very private. Campgrounds like Texas Springs or Wildrose are better. The man made scenery is OK. Scotty's Castle and the borax mine are interesting. I once saw a golfer on the golf course pushing his cart and carrying an iron just like a club -- followed closely by a coyote. But the natural scenery is best.
Favorite places and hikes include Salt Creek (with the pupfish), Golden Canyon, Badwater, Dante's View, artist's Plaette, the Devil's Golf Course, the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells and Zabriskie Point. Hikes are often flat but can be uphill. They can also be very hot. We camped in Sunset's overflow area once in April - it was 90 degrees outside.
Artist's Palette
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