About Death Valley Weather
Death Valley National Park is famous for its weather, and its named is derived from its effects. The park is extremely dry all year. The summer sees very high temperatures, some of the highest ever recorded on the planet. Exertion of any type during the heat of the day is strongly discouraged. The winter months have generally cool and pleasant days and because of this are the park's period of highest visitation. Snow occurs on the mountain peaks, while occasional thunderstorms drop incredibly rare water.
Visitation Seasons
The spring is a reasonable time to visit the park through April. By May, temperatures will be surpassing the century mark in the lower elevations. Crowds lessen as summer approaches.
The summer is not only a bad time to visit, it can be quite dangerous if not respected. Temperatures in the lower elevations reach far into the hundreds on a daily basis. A vehicle with good air conditioning and lots of water are essential during this time. Crowds are less than in winter, but people from around the world come to Death Valley in the summer specifically to experience the heat. People get lost and die almost every year here, please be careful.
The fall remains hot until at least October, when things begin to cool down a bit. The park's main visitor season is October to April. Visitation increases steadily as winter approaches.
The winter is the obvious time to visit the park. Temperatures are usually comfortable during the day and cool at night. Conditions in the upper elevations may be too cold to allow visitation, but the popular lower areas are ideal. Lodgings and campgrounds can be quite full throughout the season.
