Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is our giant backyard playground—millions of acres of wild desert scenery just a few minutes down the road from Beatty. It’s the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the country, but it’s also one of the most beautiful, with mountains, canyons, salt flats, and sand dunes all in one place.
From Beatty, you’re perfectly positioned to hit some of the park’s biggest highlights in a single day. Badwater Basin drops you 282 feet below sea level on blinding white salt flats, while Zabriskie Point serves up sunrise and sunset views over golden badlands that look almost unreal. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells give you that classic “sea of sand” moment, especially in the softer light of morning or evening.
The park isn’t just flat desert, either—there are twisting canyons, high overlooks, volcanic craters, and backcountry roads that feel like another planet. Titus Canyon, a favorite route near Beatty, winds through rugged mountains, past the ghost town of Leadfield, and into a narrow, dramatic gorge that makes you feel tiny in the best way.
Because Death Valley is so extreme, timing matters. Most visitors aim for fall, winter, or early spring, when daytime temps are more comfortable and you can actually enjoy hiking and exploring without melting. Summer is no joke out here—this is the place that breaks heat records—so plenty of water, fuel, and planning are non-negotiable.
For travelers, Beatty makes an easy, friendly basecamp: hotels, food, gas, and that small-town vibe before you dive back into the vast, quiet spaces of the park. Spend the day chasing views in Death Valley, then return to Beatty for a hot meal, a soft bed, and maybe a burro sighting or two before tomorrow’s adventure.
