Best things to do in Death Valley National Park

The lowest point in North America, 86 m (282 ft) below sea level, Badwater Basin is a huge, desolate salt flat. Look up to see a sign marking sea level high above you on the side of a cliff. Bring plenty of water with you, and limit your time in the sun during midday.

Famous as the spot on the cover of the U2 album "The Joshua Tree," Zabriskie Point is a geological curiosity formed by sediment from a dried-up lake. Thermal waters gave it color, and wind and lava shaped its erosion patterns. This location is named after Christian Zabriskie, vice-president of the Borax company, which had mining operations in Death Valley. The sun makes high-contrast shadows on the formations, which change over the course of the day.

From a 1,669 m (5,476 ft) high terrace, Dante's View provides a panoramic view of the southern Death Valley basin. Look for the Devil's Golf Course--a field of complex mineral formations that looks like a large body of water from above. See the Owlshead Mountains, the Great Basin ranges, and the 3,367 m (11,047 ft) Telescope Peak. On a very clear day, you may even be rewarded with a sight of the highest and lowest points in the entire contiguous United States. Bear in mind that, because of the wind and elevation, you'll need warmer clothes than when visiting the valley.

See some of the most picturesque sights that Death Valley National Park has to offer on . The winding, 14.5 km (9 mi) long road takes you past impressive rock formations and the multicolored hillsides of the Artist's Palette. Volcanic activity and metal oxidation painted the hills in various shades of red, pink, yellow, green, and purple. The one-way road features safe places to pull off to admire the view, take pictures, or explore on foot. Even though the road is relatively short, the drive can take some time; its many curves may limit your speed, and many visitors prefer to drive slowly to take in the sights.

Titus Canyon is a deep, narrow gorge cut into the steep face of the Grapevine Mountains of the Mojave Desert, within Death Valley National Park in southeastern California and southwestern Nevada. The canyon features limestone rock formations, petroglyphs, and native plants and wildlife.

Please note, the road to get there is high clearance - 4x4 recommended.