Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park
The best months to visit Death Valley National Park are January, February and November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. March is the crowd peak (161,109 monthly visits); September is quietest at 38% of peak.
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Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Death Valley month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 93,132 | 58% | 67°F / 43°F | 0.4″ | 9.9h |
| February | Best window | 118,305 | 73% | 74°F / 49°F | 0.5″ | 10.9h |
| March | Peak crowds | 161,109 | 100% | 83°F / 57°F | 0.3″ | 11.9h |
| April | Peak crowds | 141,152 | 88% | 91°F / 65°F | 0.1″ | 13.1h |
| May | Shoulder | 106,362 | 66% | 101°F / 75°F | 0.0″ | 14.1h |
| June | Harsh season | 73,735 | 46% | 111°F / 84°F | 0.1″ | 14.6h |
| July | Harsh season | 82,523 | 51% | 117°F / 91°F | 0.1″ | 14.4h |
| August | Harsh season | 75,918 | 47% | 116°F / 89°F | 0.1″ | 13.6h |
| September | Harsh season | 61,474 | 38% | 108°F / 79°F | 0.2″ | 12.4h |
| October | Shoulder | 88,753 | 55% | 93°F / 64°F | 0.1″ | 11.3h |
| November | Best window | 109,121 | 68% | 77°F / 51°F | 0.1″ | 10.2h |
| December | Peak crowds | 115,548 | 72% | 66°F / 41°F | 0.3″ | 9.7h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (1 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Death Valley each year
Death Valley National Park had 1,320,134 recreation visits in 2025, 8% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2019, with 1,740,945. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,227,132 visits a year, which makes it the 23rd most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,320,134 | −8% |
| 2024 | 1,440,484 | +31% |
| 2023 | 1,099,632 | −3% |
| 2022 | 1,128,862 | −2% |
| 2021 | 1,146,551 | +40% |
| 2020 | 820,023 | −53% |
| 2019 | 1,740,945 | +4% |
| 2018 | 1,678,660 | +30% |
| 2017 | 1,294,827 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1,296,283 | +12% |
| 2015 | 1,154,843 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Death Valley in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Death Valley's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 43°F
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Death Valley?
January, February and November rank best for Death Valley on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Death Valley?
March: an average of 161,109 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is September, at 38% of the March peak.
When is Death Valley least crowded with decent conditions?
October, at 55% of the March peak (88,753 average visits). September is quieter still, but its weather puts it in the harsh season.
How many people visit Death Valley per year?
Death Valley National Park had 1,320,134 recreation visits in 2025, 8% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2019, with 1,740,945. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,227,132 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Death Valley through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 117°F. The coldest nights come in December, averaging 41°F. The wettest month is February, with 0.5″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Death Valley ranks against all 63 parks in January, February and November.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks