Death Valley National Park

Death Valley trades in superlatives. It is the largest national park in the contiguous United States, the hottest and driest place in North America, and home to Badwater Basin, the lowest point on the continent at 282 feet below sea level. Yet the name is misleading, because this is not a lifeless void but a landscape of astonishing variety and beauty, sculpted over millions of years by heat, water and the restless grinding of tectonic plates.

Extremes carved into stone

Within its vast boundaries lie rippling sand dunes, salt flats that stretch white to the horizon, wildly coloured badlands, slot canyons and mountains that rise more than 11,000 feet. Dawn at Zabriskie Point sets the eroded golden ridges glowing; Badwater's cracked salt polygons crunch underfoot; and at night, far from any city, the Milky Way blazes across some of the darkest skies in America. For a UK family, whose experience of desert is largely televisual, Death Valley is a genuinely mind-expanding place, provided you respect its ferocious heat.

Death Valley overwhelms the senses in the best way. The scale is almost incomprehensible: you drive for an hour and the same range of mountains still fills the windscreen, the salt flats shimmer to the horizon, and the silence is total. Standing at Badwater Basin, the lowest ground in North America, with cliffs towering above and a distant sea-level marker high on the rock face, is genuinely humbling.

There is real variety to explore, from the sculpted badlands of Zabriskie Point at sunrise to the golden sweep of the Mesquite Flat dunes and the palette of Artist's Palette. And after dark, the sky performs: with almost no light pollution, the stars are staggering. Teenagers who have never seen the Milky Way properly will remember it. It is a park that makes you feel the raw power of the planet.

Death Valley is enormous, so getting around means driving, and lots of it. Paved roads connect the main sights, but distances between them are vast; it can be an hour or more between major stops, so plan routes carefully and keep the fuel tank topped up. There is no park shuttle, so a hire car is essential. Many of the most spectacular spots, such as remote canyons and viewpoints, lie down rough dirt roads that need a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle; stick to paved routes otherwise. Mobile signal is absent across most of the park, so carry a paper map and tell someone your plans. Some low-lying roads can close after rare flash floods, so check conditions at the visitor centre.

There is no public transport to or within Death Valley. The park's sheer size and remoteness make buses and rideshare impractical, and no scheduled services run into the interior. For a family of five, a hire car collected in Las Vegas is not merely recommended but essential, and it should be a reliable vehicle with strong air conditioning and a full fuel tank. Given the extreme environment, your own vehicle is your lifeline here, carrying your water, providing shelter from the heat and getting you between the widely scattered sights. Budget for it as a core part of the trip.

• Visit between late autumn and early spring; summer heat regularly exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit and can be genuinely dangerous.
• Carry far more water than you think you need, and drink it constantly, even when you don't feel thirsty.
• Fill your fuel tank before entering and top up whenever you can, as distances between petrol stations are enormous.
• See Zabriskie Point at sunrise and the dunes or Artist's Palette in late afternoon for the best light and coolest temperatures.
• Never rely on your phone for navigation; signal is absent across most of the park, so carry a paper map.
• Stay on paved roads unless you have a suitable high-clearance vehicle.
• Death Valley is a Dark Sky park; pack a torch and stay out for the stars.

Death Valley is defined by extreme heat and extreme dryness. Summers are brutal, with daytime temperatures frequently topping 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making midday activity hazardous. Winters are mild and pleasant by day, cool at night, and are the ideal time to visit; spring can bring wildflowers after rare rains. Rainfall is minimal but flash floods can occur. Pack light, sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, high-factor sunscreen and, crucially, large quantities of water for every person. Bring warm layers for cold desert nights and sturdy shoes for rocky terrain. Never underestimate the heat; it is the single biggest risk here.

The most convenient gateway is Las Vegas (LAS), a roughly two-hour drive from the park and served from the UK by direct flights from London as well as many one-stop routings. From Las Vegas you collect a hire car and drive out across the desert into the park; this is the classic and easiest approach for a UK family. Alternatively, you could approach from the California side via Los Angeles, but that is a considerably longer drive. Whichever route you choose, a reliable car with good air conditioning is essential, and you should start with a full tank of fuel and plenty of water. Given the distances and the heat, treat the drive itself as part of the adventure and plan your timings carefully.