Las Vegas Trip – Death Valley National Park 🏜️

On the way from Las Vegas to San Diego, we stopped at Death Valley National Park. Americans really don’t shy away from dramatic names! 😅 Back in 2022, I also visited Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Compared to Badlands, Death Valley’s scenery is even more impressive, with more diverse landscapes. This time, we visited the top three must-see spots recommended in the visitor guide: BADWATER BASIN – 855 feet below sea level. A lot of people walk far out toward the water for photos, but the surface there isn’t fully smooth and it’s often windy with ripples. For better "mirror of the sky" shots, try staying closer to the edge at an angle. ☁️💧 Note: My travel buddy mentioned there’s hardly any water here in summer! ARTISTS PALETTE – accessed via Artists Drive. 🎨 ZABRISKIE POINT – we arrived half an hour before sunrise. The light was soft and magical. 🌅 Winter is definitely the better time to visit. A friend who came in late May said it was 45°C (113°F) with almost no cars in the park. ☀️🔥 I still remember at Badlands, one of my shoulders wasn’t fully covered—just a few minutes outside taking photos left a tan line that didn’t fade until the next year! That’s how intense the sun is out here. But the Sunday after Christmas was packed—long lines of cars at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, women’s restroom queues, and a huge wait just to park at Badwater Basin. 😮‍💨 I really wish popular spots like this would have traffic coordinators like they do on the Vegas Strip! Barren landscapes aren’t totally my thing, but if I come back, I’d consider staying at Furnace Creek Inn inside the park—it opened in 1927 and looks lovely, surrounded by a surprising number of palm trees. 🌴 Maybe hike a trail during the day and stargaze at night in this Gold-rated International Dark Sky Park. ✨🌌 #LasVegas #DeathValley #NationalParks #TravelUSA #DesertVibes 🚗📸