Start Planning Your 2025 Trip to Death Valley National Park
Fee free days and night sky viewing
News Release
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NPS/Patrick Taylor
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Contact: DEVA News
Contact: Abby Wines, 760-786-3221
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – As 2025 begins, consider planning a visit to Death Valley National Park. Fee free days and good star-gazing periods can all be ideal times to plan a visit to the 5,000-square-mile desert park.
Death Valley National Park is recognized internationally as a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park. The park is far enough away from cities to have little light pollution. The extremely dry climate means clouds are unlikely to block your view of the sky. With a little advance planning, scheduling a visit during a crescent or new moon phase will maximize how many stars are visible. Park rangers do Night Sky Talks most Friday and Saturdays through March. Ranger programs are posted at nps.gov/deva about two weeks in advance.
Death Valley can provide a relatively warm winter destination. In December and January, the bottom of Death Valley has an average daily high in the mid-sixties, with overnight lows dipping to 40°F on average. Typical weather in spring and fall ranges from 50 to 90°F. October through April are ideal for camping and hiking at lower elevations.
Below sea level at Furnace Creek, 113 is an average high temperature during summer. Death Valley has reached an extreme of 130°F twice in recent years. Overnight lows occasional stay above 100 degrees. The park’s three hotels stay open year-round, but most low-elevation campgrounds close due to heat. Park rangers only recommend hiking in the park’s mountains during the summer heat.
The 2025 free entrance days are:
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January 9 – Remembrance for President Jimmy Carter
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January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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April 19 – First Day of National Park Week
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June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
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August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day
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September 27 – National Public Lands Day
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November 11 – Veterans Day
Last updated: January 7, 2025