Death Valley is often cited as the hottest place on Earth. With summer temperatures frequently hitting 120 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a good idea to take the weather into account when deciding when you should make the trip there. The coldest month of the year in Death Valley National Park is December when the highs rarely get above 70 degrees. While 70 is still extremely warm for the holidays, it looks pretty attractive when compared to the summer months. From May to September, the average daily high in Death Valley is over 100 degrees, so there are plenty of reasons to visit in the winter instead.
While December might be the coldest month, we’d recommend waiting until the very early spring to see Death Valley, around late February or early March. Mid-February is when the park’s famous wildflowers start to bloom and it’s well worth braving the heat to see the valley floor carpeted with colorful flowers. If you want to see as many flowers as possible without risking triple-digit temperatures, then March and April are the best time to visit.
April is the beginning of peak wildflower season in Death Valley and doesn’t feature the scorching hot weather of June or July, although the average daily high rises to about 90 in April. Just make sure you bring plenty of water and load up on sunblock before you go – the Parks Service recommends drinking at least a gallon of water every day that you visit and keeping several more gallons in your car in case of emergencies.
Make the most of your trip to Death Valley with our Death Valley Self-Guided Driving Tour. If you enjoy our tours, you should also check out Action+, a yearly subscription that grants access to all 100+ of our US tours for a single price.
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