Death Valley With Kids: What Our 5-Year-Old Enjoyed Most

Death Valley National Park turned out to be one of the most enjoyable places we explored with our 5-year-old during our Thanksgiving road trip.

She climbed sand dunes, slid down sandy slopes, played with other children, walked across salt flats and finished a rocky canyon hike. At Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, she treated the landscape like an enormous playground.

We spent three days exploring Death Valley, visiting its famous viewpoints and walking through several very different desert landscapes.

If you’re planning Death Valley with kids, here’s what our daughter enjoyed, how much walking we did and what I’d recommend for your visit.

Best Things to Do in Death Valley With Kids

1. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Our Daughter’s Favorite

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes was easily the highlight of Death Valley for our daughter. She climbed the dunes, slid down the sandy slopes and played with other children she met there, and we made it all the way to the top.

There was plenty of space to run around, and she kept finding another slope she wanted to climb. The sand kept her entertained the whole time.

Walking through soft sand takes more effort than a regular trail. The steeper sections were tiring, but we took breaks whenever we wanted.

Families can stay near the parking area and play on the smaller dunes or head farther into the sand.

For young children: Allow plenty of time here. The dunes were the most fun when our daughter could play and explore at her own pace.

2. Badwater Basin: Walking Across the Salt Flats

Badwater Basin was her other favorite. At 282 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point in North America, and the white salt flats stretch toward the surrounding mountains.

We walked out onto the salt flats, and she liked exploring the unusual ground.

The walking is mostly flat, though the salt gets uneven in places. You can choose how far to go, and the salt formations get clearer the farther you walk.

For young children: Badwater Basin is a good place to let children explore on foot in cooler weather. Bring water and keep track of the distance back to your car.

3. Zabriskie Point: Colorful Badlands and a Short Walk

Zabriskie Point is one of Death Valley’s most recognizable views. A short paved uphill path leads from the parking lot to an overlook above golden, folded badlands, with ridges and valleys stretching into the distance.

For young children: The walk is short but uphill. Keep children close at the overlook.

4. Dante’s View: Looking Down at the Valley

Dante’s View sits high in the mountains above Badwater Basin, with the valley floor far below. The main viewpoint is close to the parking area, and it’s noticeably cooler up here than on the valley floor.

For young children: This is a good scenic stop between more active outings. Bring an extra layer if it’s cool or windy.

5. Natural Bridge: A Rocky Canyon Hike

Natural Bridge was our canyon hike, and our daughter walked the whole way herself.

The trail climbs gradually through a rocky canyon to a large rock bridge spanning the canyon walls. It’s about one mile round-trip.

For young children: Choose this hike if your child is comfortable on uneven ground. Wear shoes with good traction and carry water.

The trailhead is on an unpaved road, so check road conditions before driving in.

6. Devil’s Golf Course: Strange Salt Formations

Devil’s Golf Course is covered in jagged salt formations, a big change from the smoother flats at Badwater Basin.

The ground is sharp and extremely uneven, so I’d keep young children close and stay near the parking area. It’s a short stop along Badwater Road.

7. Father Crowley Vista Point: A View Along the Western Drive

Father Crowley Vista Point overlooks Rainbow Canyon on the far western side of the park.

We drove back to Pahrump afterward, which made for a long day with a 5-year-old. With a young child, it fits best if your route is already heading west.

Which Death Valley Attractions Are Best for Kids?

How Many Days Do You Need in Death Valley With Kids?

We spent three days exploring the park, which gave us time for the major viewpoints, a canyon hike and plenty of time on the dunes and salt flats.

If you have only one day, I’d prioritize Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin and one or two nearby viewpoints. With two days, you can add Natural Bridge and more scenic stops.

For a suggested driving route, see our Death Valley National Park 3-Day Itinerary.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Death Valley With Kids?

We visited over Thanksgiving break, when it was comfortable enough to explore the park on foot.

For families planning to hike, climb dunes or walk across the salt flats, fall, winter and early spring are the best seasons.

Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth. Summer temperatures can make even short outdoor activities dangerous, particularly at lower elevations, and the National Park Service advises against hiking at low elevations after 10 a.m. in summer.

Check the weather forecast and current park conditions before your visit.

What to Pack for Death Valley With Kids

We brought our own food, which made it easy to eat between stops. Here’s what I’d bring for a similar trip:

• Water: Carry plenty in your vehicle and on every walk.
• Meals and snacks: Food options are spread far apart.
• Comfortable walking shoes: Especially for Natural Bridge and the salt flats.
• Sun protection: Hats, sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Extra layers: Mountain viewpoints can be cooler than the valley floor.
• Spare shoes or socks: Sand gets into everything at the dunes.
• Tablet: For the long stretches in the car.
• Offline maps: Cell service is unreliable in many parts of the park.

If you’re visiting with a stroller-age child, plan to carry them or use a child carrier on rocky trails and in the dunes.

Practical Tips for Visiting Death Valley With Young Children

Plan for Long Drives

Death Valley’s stops are far apart, and our Father Crowley day meant about five hours in the car. Our daughter rode in her booster seat and napped through some of the drives. When she was awake, we counted from 1 to 100 together, and she had her tablet and snacks.

Group nearby stops together and plan breaks. Fuel is available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs.

Mix Walking With Scenic Stops

Some stops involve a hike, and others are a short walk from the parking area. Mixing them let us see several landscapes in a day while keeping the walking manageable for her.

Allow Enough Time Before Dark

We were still driving out of Death Valley after sunset. The roads are long, and some sections have limited lighting, so plan your final stop with enough time to reach your hotel comfortably.

How Much Does It Cost to Visit Death Valley With Kids?

Death Valley’s standard entrance fee is $30 per private vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days, and it covers everyone in the car, kids included.

You don’t need a reservation, and eligible annual passes are accepted. Check the official Death Valley entrance fees for current payment options.

Is Death Valley Worth Visiting With Young Kids?

Yes. Our 5-year-old found plenty to enjoy, from the salt flats and viewpoints to the canyon hike.

Watching her climb and slide down the dunes with other children is one of my favorite memories from the trip.

I’d happily visit Death Valley with a young child again, especially during the cooler months.

If you’re ready to plan your route, our 3-Day Death Valley National Park Itinerary covers the attractions, driving distances and suggested order of stops.

Where to Stay for a 3-Day Death Valley Trip

Where you stay makes a big difference because the park covers such a large area.

Furnace Creek is a convenient base for the central attractions, including Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and the roads leading toward Dante’s View.

Stovepipe Wells is closer to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and works well if you plan to explore the park’s northern or western areas.

Pahrump, Nevada, is where we stayed. We booked K7 Bed and Breakfast and paid cash. Pahrump is about an hour from Las Vegas and a little over an hour from Furnace Creek, so it works well if you’re arriving from Vegas. Staying outside the park adds driving time, especially to the dunes and the western side.

For three days of sightseeing, I’d compare total driving time from each hotel along with the nightly price.

Compare Death Valley hotels and availability →

Need a Rental Car for Death Valley?

We rented from ACE Rent A Car in Las Vegas and paid cash. If you’re flying into Las Vegas, renting a car gives you the flexibility to visit the viewpoints, hikes and sand dunes at your own pace. Check the rental terms and road restrictions if your itinerary includes unpaved access roads.

Compare rental cars from Las Vegas →

More National Park and Family Travel Guides

• Death Valley National Park Itinerary — Our three-day visit, with scenic stops, hikes, and route-planning tips.
• Big Bend National Park Itinerary — Desert hikes, mountain scenery, and practical planning for a large national park.
• Craters of the Moon National Monument — Lava fields, volcanic trails, and our experience tent camping with a toddler.