Both Tracy and I have wanted to visit Death Valley to take photos of the sand dunes and visit the national park while the weather was pleasant for the area. We figured out that January is the perfect time of the year! Note if you want to visit the sand dunes, be ready to make a 1.5 mile hike into the dunes and even further if you want to see more untouched areas of the dunes. Also, best times are during sunrise and sunset to see the dramatic shadows that dunes cast.

Where we stayed:

The sand dunes just outside of Stovepipe Wells:

The drive along Artist Drive with the amazing colored rocks along the side of the hill and the interesting rock formations that were there when we hiked along with the dogs:

View of Death Valley at Dante’s Peak @ 5,000 feet above sea level to the bottom at Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level:

The open roads: