What To Wear To Death Valley National Park

Are you heading to Death Valley National Park and not sure what to wear? Don’t worry, in this post I’ll cover the basics of what you’ll need to pack for a comfortable experience. Death Valley can get as high as 116 degrees in the summer and as low as 39 degrees in the winter. The weather can shift drastically from day to night at all times of the year, so be prepared!

✓ Sturdy footwear

A pair of hiking boots with good traction is essential for hiking in most National Parks, especially when your rock scrambling through slot canyons like Desolation and Mosaic Canyons. I love these Danner Jag Boots for Men and these Danner Jag Boots for Women (red laces!).

✓ Quick dry clothing and layer up!

There are a lot of really cool hikes in Death Valley like Mosaic Canyon and Desolation Canyon. Quick Dry Clothing is always the best choice for hiking. This way if you sweat you it’ll dry quickly and the fabric wicking helps prevent the stink that can go along with it. My favorites are Vuori and Outdoor Voices.

✓ Hat & sunscreen

The Death Valley sun can be brutal, so a brimmed baseball hat or a full brim breathable hat are both great options. If you go in the colder months, bring a beanie along too. The Mojave Desert can be really hot, but the weather drops and it gets really cold at night. Check the weather forecast before your trip to see the range!


✓ Neck Gator or Bandana

Death Valley sometimes gets haboobs. A haboob is a type of intense dust storm carried on an atmospheric gravity current, also known as a weather front (wiki). For this reason, it can be a good idea to bring along a bandana or neck gator. Plus, I think they are a cute outdoorsy addition to any outfit.



✓ Polarized sunglasses

Bring some polarized Sunski sunglasses. My current favorite are the rose-colored lenses that make any beautiful scene even more beautiful! They are also made of recycled materials and they give 1% of sales to environmental non-profits.

✓ Daypack with a Water Bladder or a Camelbak

A day pack like a Camelbak 2.5L (around 85 ounces) is perfect for packing plenty of water, snacks, and other essentials for your day hiking through Death Valley. Do not leave your campground or hotel without snacks and water! There are only a few convenience stores and restaurants in the entire park and there are far from most of the attractions.


✓ Camera Gear

Bring a camera to capture all the amazing sights. In my opinion, this is a massive underrated National Park with so much to offer! From sand dunes to slot canyons, it’s a photographers wonderland.


✓ Flashlight or headlamp

There are several amazing things to do in the early hours at Death Valley, like heading to Mesquite Sand Dunes to watch the sunrise. For this reason, be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp.




What to pack for cold weather in Death Valley

✓ Puffer Jacket

When you think of the desert, you you probably think of scorching heat. But Death Valley gets really cold at night even during the summer. A puffer jacket is great because they are lightweight and layer really easily. I love the bright bold colors of the puffers at Cotopaxi!

✓ Gloves & Beanies

Keep those fingers and ears warm with beanies and gloves.

✓ Pullovers

A thin pullover or long sleeve shirt is a nice layer for the winter months or colder night in Death Valley.

✓ Just For Fun Park Tees

These tees are unnecessary for hiking, but it’s always fun to get a tank or tee with the National Park name on it for photos. I found these Tees on Etsy.

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