Best Time to Visit Death Valley
November through March — when highs range from 65°F to 82°F and the valley floor is actually pleasant. July averages 117°F with 15 days above 120°F. Here's what 55 years of NOAA data from Furnace Creek actually shows.
Quick Answer: When to Visit
Death Valley holds the official world record for the hottest air temperature ever measured: 134°F at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913 — though modern meteorologists have questioned that reading. What's not in dispute is that Death Valley is punishingly hot from May through September. NOAA's Furnace Creek station data shows about 33 days per year exceed 120°F, and the 1996 summer logged 105 days above 110°F.
But here's what surprises first-timers: Death Valley in winter is genuinely beautiful. January highs average 67°F. The air is crystal clear. Snow caps the Panamint Range while you're hiking in a t-shirt at Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level. And in years with enough rain, the spring wildflower bloom is one of the most remarkable natural displays in America.
I analyzed 55 years of NOAA data from the Furnace Creek station to build this month-by-month guide. The goal isn't just “when it's nice” — it's understanding exactly how dangerous summer heat is, when wildflowers are most likely, and why the park's 8,000-foot elevation range means you can find 70°F weather even in June if you know where to go.
Death Valley Weather by Month: NOAA Data from Furnace Creek
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Record | Days >110°F | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67°F | 40°F | 87°F | 0 | Moderate |
| February | 73°F | 46°F | 97°F | 0 | Moderate-High |
| March | 82°F | 54°F | 102°F | 0 | High (peak wildflower) |
| April | 92°F | 62°F | 112°F | 1 | Moderate |
| May | 101°F | 73°F | 122°F | 8 | Low |
| June | 111°F | 83°F | 129°F | 20 | Very Low |
| July | 117°F | 89°F | 134°F | 28 | Very Low (heat tourists) |
| August | 115°F | 86°F | 130°F | 26 | Very Low |
| September | 107°F | 77°F | 125°F | 12 | Low |
| October | 92°F | 65°F | 113°F | 1 | Moderate |
| November | 77°F | 50°F | 98°F | 0 | Moderate |
| December | 65°F | 39°F | 88°F | 0 | Moderate-High (holidays) |
Normals: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020. Station: Furnace Creek, Death Valley NP (USC00042319), elevation −190 ft. Records: all-time monthly records 1911–2025.
January
ModerateOne of the best months. Comfortable hiking weather in the 60s. Cool nights (40°F) so pack layers. Occasional rain showers — which is exactly what triggers spring wildflower blooms. Snow is visible on the Panamint Range.
February
Moderate-HighArguably the best month. Temps are perfect for long hikes (73°F avg). Wildflower season starts in wet years. Presidents' Day weekend gets crowded at Furnace Creek. Book lodging early.
March
High (peak wildflower)Peak wildflower season in bloom years. Still great hiking weather. Morning starts can be cool, afternoons reach the low 80s. The most popular month for first-time visitors. Death Valley Road can see traffic jams during superbloom events.
April
ModerateTransition month. Early April is still comfortable; by late April it's getting hot (90s). Good for early-morning hikes to Badwater Basin or Golden Canyon. Late wildflowers at higher elevations. Start carrying extra water.
May
LowGetting dangerous. Triple digits are the norm. Afternoon pavement temperatures can exceed 180°F. Only for experienced desert travelers who start hikes before dawn. Keep all activities to before 10 AM. Gas station hours may be reduced.
June
Very LowDangerously hot. The park doesn't close but several facilities do. Hiking below 5,000 feet is actively discouraged by NPS rangers. If you visit, stay in air-conditioned vehicles and only stop briefly at viewpoints. Carry 1 gallon of water per person per hour of activity.
July
Very Low (heat tourists)The hottest month on Earth. The 134°F record was set in July 1913. Consistently above 120°F. Some tourists visit specifically to experience extreme heat (the "Furnace Creek thermometer selfie" is a thing). NPS reports heat-related emergencies every July. Not recommended for most visitors.
August
Very LowStill extremely hot but occasionally broken by monsoon storms. Flash flood risk increases. Roads can be washed out with no warning. Slightly more tolerable than July but still not recommended. Night skies are exceptional if you can handle the heat.
September
LowStill hot but cooling. Early September averages 110°F+; by late September, highs drop below 100°F some days. Flash flood risk from monsoon remnants. This is the month experienced desert hikers return — before crowds but after the worst heat.
October
ModerateGreat month. Early October can still touch 100°F, but most days are in the comfortable 80s–90s. Evening temperatures are perfect. One of the quieter shoulder months with good weather. Sunset at Zabriskie Point is spectacular.
November
ModerateExcellent. Highs in the mid-70s. Cool evenings perfect for camping. Full facility access. Thanksgiving week brings a small crowd bump. All trails are hikeable at any hour. This is what Death Valley is supposed to feel like.
December
Moderate-High (holidays)Cool and pleasant. The lowest temperatures of the year — you'll want a jacket for evening. Frost is possible on the valley floor before dawn. Holiday weeks are the busiest of winter. Clear air makes for excellent photography. Snow dusts the mountains.
How Dangerous Is Death Valley in Summer? The Numbers
Death Valley isn't just hot — it's a fundamentally different environment. The combination of extreme heat, negligible humidity, and below-sea-level air pressure creates conditions that dehydrate the human body faster than almost anywhere on Earth.
Death Valley Heat Facts — NOAA & NPS Data
- ~33 days per year exceed 120°F at Furnace Creek (mostly June–August)
- Record: 52 days above 120°F in the summer of 1917 (43 consecutive)
- Pavement temperature: 180–200°F in July — hot enough to cause burns through shoe soles
- Dehydration rate: 1+ quart per hour during midday summer activity (NPS estimate)
- 134°F official record (July 10, 1913) — disputed. 130°F (Aug 2020, Jul 2021) is undisputed.
- Heat-related deaths occur nearly every year. NPS reports 2–5 heat-related fatalities annually, often from hiking in summer.
The NPS recommends not hiking below 5,000 feet after 10 AM from May through September. Telescope Peak (11,049 ft), Wildrose Peak (9,064 ft), and the Emigrant Canyon area stay cooler and are options even in summer. The altitude difference is remarkable: when Furnace Creek is 117°F, Mahogany Flat campground at 8,133 feet can be in the 70s.
Death Valley Wildflower Season: When Rain Creates the Bloom
Death Valley's wildflower blooms are entirely rain-dependent. In most years, the valley floor gets less than 2 inches of annual rainfall and wildflowers are sparse. But in El Niño years, Pacific storms bring moisture to the southern California deserts, and the results can be spectacular.
Wildflower Trigger Conditions
- Minimum: 1” rain between September and January for any bloom
- Superbloom: 2”+ rain well-distributed, with warm (not hot) February temps
- Timing: mid-February to early April at valley floor, later at higher elevations
- Recent superblooms: 2005, 2016, 2024 (all El Niño-influenced)
- 2026 outlook: Developing El Niño could increase 2026–27 winter rain — watch fall precipitation
The best wildflower viewing is along Badwater Road between Ashford Mill and Badwater Basin, and in the side canyons (Golden Canyon, Sidewinder Canyon). In superbloom years, the display extends across the entire valley floor. Check the NPS wildflower reports starting in late January for updates.
What to See in Each Season
Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point sunrise, Artist's Palette, Mesquite Flat Dunes, Dante's View. Full-day hiking possible. Cool enough for Telescope Peak approach.
Wildflowers (if it rained), Golden Canyon, Natural Bridge, Mosaic Canyon. Warming quickly by April — start early. Best photography light of the year.
Extreme heat experience (for the adventurous), stargazing at Mahogany Flat (8,133 ft), Telescope Peak summit (11,049 ft — cooler). Short viewpoint stops only at valley floor.
Transition month. Late October is excellent — 92°F avg, declining crowds. Sunset at Zabriskie Point. All-day hiking returns. Some facilities reopen.
The 134°F Record: Real or Not?
The World Meteorological Organization recognizes 134°F (56.7°C) on July 10, 1913 as the highest air temperature ever recorded on Earth. But weather historian Christopher Burt and multiple meteorologists have argued convincingly that the reading is likely erroneous — the temperature at surrounding stations was 10–15°F cooler that day, which would be an unprecedented local anomaly.
The highest undisputed temperature is 130°F (54.4°C), recorded by automated sensors at Furnace Creek on August 16, 2020 and again on July 9, 2021. Either way, Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth by any reasonable measure. Our state-by-state record high analysis covers the full temperature record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Death Valley?
February — average highs of 73°F, wildflowers starting in wet years, and manageable crowds. November is equally good for weather without the flower crowds. March is best during a wildflower bloom.
Is Death Valley too hot to visit in summer?
For most visitors, yes. July averages 117°F with ~15 days above 120°F. NPS discourages hiking below 5,000 feet. High-elevation areas (Telescope Peak, Wildrose) are options, but the valley floor is dangerous. Carry 1 gallon of water per person per hour.
When is Death Valley wildflower season?
Mid-February through early April, but only in years with 1”+ rain from September through January. Superblooms (2005, 2016, 2024) need 2”+ of well-timed rain. El Niño winters tend to produce better bloom years.
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded?
Officially, 134°F (July 10, 1913) — though this reading is disputed by modern meteorologists. The highest undisputed reading is 130°F (August 2020 and July 2021), measured by automated sensors at Furnace Creek.
How many days a year does Death Valley exceed 120°F?
About 33 on average, concentrated in June through August. The record was 52 days above 120°F in 1917 (43 consecutive). July typically has the most, with about 15 days exceeding 120°F.
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Check Death Valley Weather for Any Date
Search 55+ years of NOAA records for Death Valley and 14,000+ other stations. Check what the temperature was on any date.