Death Valley National Park is well known as one of the most extreme climates on the face of the earth. There are other areas that do offer climates that are almost as hot and dry, but Death Valley consistently tops the list with regard to heat. This year alone, several records were set in the area with regards to extreme temperatures, including the most consecutive days above 110 degrees. The extreme temperatures have created a very unique landscape over the years, and the result is an area that must be seen to be believed. Many people will reconsider a tour of Death Valley after thinking about it, thinking “if it is so hot why would I want to go there?” The answer is that it isn’t that hot all year long.
Many people will choose to visit Death Valley in the summertime at the height of the hot season. They choose to visit at this time because they want to experience Death Valley for the reasons that it is famous, and they want to feel what 120 degrees feels like on your skin. During the hot season, we shift the tone of our Death Valley tours to be more sightseeing and less adventure. Our typical tours are considered “adventure tours” which are essentially the promotion of the idea that our guests explore areas up close and personal, hiking, photographing, exploring etc. In the summer in Death Valley, it is just too hot to do a lot of these things for extended periods of time, so instead we shift more towards getting to interesting areas and exploring them for short periods before getting back into the air conditioning and moving on to the next area of interest. While it is not our typical type of tour where our guests are actively exploring, it does give you the general sense of Death Valley and you can see the interesting landscape.
In the spring and fall are the best times to tour Death Valley. This is because you are still seeing the area for what it looks like in the summer, but the temperatures are dramatically cooler than during those summer months. Many people think that Death Valley is extremely hot all year long, when in reality it becomes very pleasant during the fall and spring months. It will also get quite cold in the winter! This is why we suggest that if you are more interested in our adventure types of tours that allow our guests to spend time outside exploring and experiencing the area, you tour Death Valley now. We are entering the best weather season that the area gives us all year over the course of the next few months, and you will be able to spend the time you want walking out into the desolation of Furnace Creek, overlook the expanses of Angel’s Landing, and explore the Borax museum in comfort. Death Valley is fun to tour all year long, but if you ask us now is the right time to check out this totally unique place.