Sunset in Death Valley National Park: Best Time & Spots
Catching a sunset in Death Valley National Park is a must.
Whether you are on a one-day trip (like we took in 2023!) or spending multiple days roaming around the park, make time for one of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll experience at any national park.
The sun shines brightly in Death Valley. It’s one of the hottest and driest places in the USA.
And sunny days make for excellent sunset conditions.
We bring you the best tips we could gather to find a beautiful sunset in Death Valley National Park!
Sunrise and Sunset in Death Valley National Park
Sunrise and sunset times will vary throughout the year and will vary even within a particular month.
Below is a breakdown of the average sunrise and sunset times at Death Valley. It also includes the average day length in each month.
This sunset times in Death Valley are a summary from a few internet friends over at maplogs.com, timeanddate.com, & sunrisesunset.com.
I also summarized the temperature averages and visitor averages from other internet friends over at nps.gov and weather.gov
Spring (March, April, May)
Sunrise and sunset times between March and May!
| Month | Sunrise Time | Sunset Time | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 6:17 AM | 5:43 PM | 11h 26m |
| April | 6:32 AM | 7:10 PM | 12h 38m |
| May | 5:53 AM | 7:36 PM | 13h 43m |
Springtime is one of the most popular times to visit the park.
The weather is cooler. Average spring temperatures over the last 20 years:
- March – 69.9ºF
- April – 78.2ºF
- May – 87.6ºF
It’s also one of the most popular times to visit.
- March – 145,647
- April – 144,868
- May – 113,857
Summer (June, July, Aug)
Sunrise and sunset times between June and August (longest days of the year!)
| Month | Sunrise Time | Sunset Time | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 5:31 AM | 8:01 PM | 14h 30m |
| July | 5:34 AM | 8:10 PM | 14h 36m |
| August | 5:55 AM | 7:53 PM | 13h 58m |
Summertime brings the least visitors to the park for exactly one reason: it’s hot as hell.
Haven’t been to hell (yet), but I imagine average temps over 100º will feel something like that.
Overall, the weather is hotter. Average highs in the summer:
- June – 98.5º
- July – 104.9º
- August – 102.2ºF
The summer months are the least visited in Death Valley:
June – 81,845
July – 86,776
August – 81,202
Fall (Sep, Oct, Nov)
Sunrise and sunset times between September and November.
| Month | Sunrise Time | Sunset Time | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 6:20 AM | 7:15 PM | 12h 55m |
| October | 6:44 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 46m |
| November | 7:12 AM | 5:51 PM | 10h 38m |
The Fall season starts to bring slightly cooler temperatures – although not nearly as much as you’d like.
While still warm, it is significantly cooler than the summer months. This is also a popular time to visit the park!
Average highs during the fall season:
Sep. – 93.3ºF
Oct. – 78.3ºF
Nov. – 63.7ºF
Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb)
Sunrise and sunset times between December and February (shortest days of the year)
| Month | Sunrise Time | Sunset Time | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 6:42 AM | 4:32 PM | 9h 50m |
| January | 7:00 AM | 4:44 PM | 9h 43m |
| February | 6:48 AM | 5:15 PM | 10h 26m |
Winter is by far the best time to visit Death Valley.
The temperatures cool off and since it is still the driest place on earth, you are unlikely to run into too many weather conditions.
Average highs during the winter months:
Dec. – 52.9ºF
Jan. – 54.9ºF
Feb. – 60.9ºF
Monthly visitors starts to tick up in the winter as well:
Dec. – 109,456 (2022)
Jan. – 84,177
Feb. – 115,023
Best Spots to See the Sunset in Death Valley
When we go back and take a longer trip, we will be sure to get to the following spots for a spectacular sunset!
Dantes View
Dantes View is a beautiful location at Death Valley. Standing at 5,475 feet of elevation, this spot gives you 360º views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. It was our favorite place in the park.
It is located about 25 minutes from Furnace Creek.
Why it’s incredible: 360º views. Overlooks Badwater Basin. Mountain ranges all around. It’s one of the best places to catch a sunset.
Tip: The last ¼ mile is a steep 15% incline. It’s easy to navigate with any car, but it’s good to be aware!
Badwater Basin
Standing at 282 feet below sea level, these Salt Flats in Death Valley are one-of-a-kind. There is nowhere lower in elevation in all of North America and it’s largely considered one of the driest places in the US.
Why it’s incredible: We truly felt like we were submerged around the mountains. To one side was Dantes View and to the other was Telescope Peak (11,000 foot mountain). And before us were miles of flat, salty earth.
Tip: We’d suggest walking out onto the flats (unless there is still a lake!). You’ll get the most unobstructed views from the middle of the flats
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
We saw the sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and it was pure magic. We can only imagine what sunset is like at the dunes. Surrounded by mountains, we think Mesquite Flat would make for a mysterious sunset.
Why it’s incredible: Sand dunes extending for miles. Surrounded by mountains. And very easy to access (it’s right off the parking lot!)
Tip: Bring a hat (this is probably a general tip for Death Valley, btw). And bring a scarf. If it’s windy in the park, the sand will kick up and… well, get all over your face.
Driving Anywhere
This might seem like a silly “location,” but we caught the sunset as we were driving around the park. The way the light touched the road and the surrounding landscapes is something we will always remember.
Why it’s incredible: Well, you can drive just about anywhere and see a spectacular sunset. It goes to show how beautiful Death Valley is. You can see something lovely even from the comfort of your car.
Tip: The stretch between Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs is mind blowing. You get this sort of descending view of the road with the mountains rising up. It blew our minds.
Don’t Miss the Sunset in Death Valley
The sunset in Death Valley is seared into our memory.
The mountains, the colors, the vastness. It highlighted the best of Death Valley National Park.
It was on our drive out of the park at sunset that Katie and I looked at each other and said, “this might be our favorite park ever.”
We hope it will be yours too.
Get out there and experience a spectacular sunset in Death Valley!
