9 Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
In this article, we’ll lay out the best things to do in Death Valley, including off the beaten track adventures and tips for escaping the crowds.
Since early 2021, we have been traveling across the United States, making a new place our home month to month, while working full time and adventuring as much as possible. We spend any free time we can get hiking, camping, backpacking and exploring new places! On this page, we’ll continue to post updates from our road trip.
In February of 2021, we drove from Virginia to Denver to southern California, where we spent a month exploring Death Valley, Joshua Tree, the Alabama Hills and surrounding area.
Next, we moved to Utah and explored Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, as well as several lesser-known spots, like Grand Staircase Escalante.
In May, we continued on to northern California, where we backpacked in Yosemite, hiked in Sequoia and King’s Canyon, and ultimately wished we had way more time!
Next we spent two months in Idaho Falls, where we spent our time exploring the Sawtooth Mountains, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park and absolutely fell in love with the area! So much so that we ended up coming home with a very large souvenir…
After returning back to Richmond in the fall and staying through the holidays, we’ve decided to make our nomadic lifestyle more permanent. We both secured full-time remote jobs and set off on another road trip in January of 2022, this time with no plans to return back to the East Coast for our office jobs.
We took our time road tripping through Texas and spent a few days exploring Big Bend. Our first home base was in the West Texas and southern New Mexico area, exploring the Organ Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands!
We are currently based in northern Arizona, where we will stay for about 3 months. We’re so excited to be back in the desert and can’t wait to explore more off the beaten path spots in the area!
P.S. check out our review of top highlights and lowlights from our 2021 adventures here!
Traveling, working full time, planning new adventures and writing this blog seriously feels like having 2 full time jobs at times! We try our best to keep up, but are inevitably a little behind on writing about out experiences. On this page, we’ve organized all the blog posts we’ve written so far from our cross country road trip!
For more real-time updates, follow us on Instagram @twooutliers.
An endless expanse of diverse landscapes, from the crackling salt flats of Death Valley to the Dr. Suessian land of Joshua Tree to the stunning peaks of the Eastern Sierras, Southern California has it all.
Lack of life certainly does not mean lack of beauty.
In this article, we’ll lay out the best things to do in Death Valley, including off the beaten track adventures and tips for escaping the crowds.
In this article, we’ve detailed everything you need to know to make your trip to Death Valley a breeze, from where to camp (campgrounds, backpacking, and dispersed car camping) to…
Death Valley National Park is best known for its vast desert and soaring temperatures, but fewer people are familiar with Telescope Peak, the tallest point in Death Valley which can…
The Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, Badlands & Zabriskie Point Loop hike is a must do Death Valley classic, showing off its most unique landscapes.
Backpacking to the Panamint Sand Dunes is an amazing way to experience a remote and often-overlooked part of Death Valley National Park. Getting to the dunes requires a little work,…
If you are up for a real challenge, the 360-degree views from the top of Corkscrew Peak are some of the best in Death Valley!
Where rocky desert meets snow-capped peaks.
Do you love camping in unique landscapes with epic views for FREE? Then an Alabama Hills camping trip is the perfect adventure for you!
Wandering through the Alabama Hills feels like playing on nature’s playground, with hidden arches to hunt for, piles of boulders to climb on, and some…
The Tuttle Creek Ashram Trail is a moderate 4.3 mile hike with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, making for a great excursion from Lone Pine,…
Nestled below the towering peak of Mt. Whitney, the Lone Pine Lake hike makes for a perfect excursion from the Alabama Hills, offering the opportunity…
A rock climbers heaven, scattered with funky trees and thousands of boulders
With its wild landscape of massive rocks and twisted trees, rock climbing in Joshua Tree is a can’t miss adventure!
With one day in Joshua Tree National Park, you can experience many of the park’s highlights, from rock climbing to the cholla cactus garden!
Home to five national parks, there is no shortage of adventure waiting for you in Utah! With it’s one of a kind orange rock formations, the landscapes in Utah are unique and otherworldly!
With canyons of every shape and size, this national park surely lives up to it’s namesake
Located in the often-overlooked Needles District, the hike to Druid Arch in Canyonlands is amazing and one of the best in the park!
Expansive, rugged terrain hides some of Utah’s best kept secrets
If you’re the type of hiker who is excited to get off the beaten path in an area that is already quite remote, then the…
A hidden oasis tucked away in Southern Utah, Lower Calf Creek Falls trail follows Calf Creek until arriving at a majestic 126-foot waterfall.
A hidden oasis tucked away in Southern Utah, Lower Calf Creek Falls trail follows Calf Creek until arriving at a majestic 126-foot waterfall.
Looking to get off the beaten path and explore one of southern Utah’s most unique geological formations? Golden Cathedral in Neon Canyon is a fun…
A hidden oasis tucked away in Southern Utah, Lower Calf Creek Falls trail follows Calf Creek until arriving at a majestic 126-foot waterfall.
Willis Creek Slot Canyon is a fun, family-friendly hike and underrated slot canyon in southern Utah. While most slot canyons in the area are known…
Interested in hiking and camping on Hole in the Rock Road in Grand Staircase Escalante but having trouble deciding what to do or if you…
Visiting the Toadstool Hoodoos in southern Utah is a surreal experience. Many places in Utah are described as “otherworldly,” but these odd rock formations truly…
Jacob Hamblin Arch in Coyote Gulch is easily one of the most impressive geological formations in the remote area of Grand Staircase Escalante.
A hidden oasis tucked away in Southern Utah, Lower Calf Creek Falls trail follows Calf Creek until arriving at a majestic 126-foot waterfall.
Located in the remote land of Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah, the hike to Big Horn Canyon is an off-the-beaten-path adventure providing the opportunity to explore…
To make your Southern Utah adventure planning easier, we have created a list of the 14 best Grand Staircase Escalante hikes that you don’t want…
Located in the wild and remote Grand Staircase Escalante, the hike to Cosmic Ashtray is an otherworldly adventure, perfect for those looking to get off…
If you are visiting Grand Staircase Escalante, you can’t miss the one-of-a-kind hike through Peekaboo and Spooky slot canyons!
Named after the vivid stripes that line its walls, Zebra Slot Canyon is one of the most unique rock formations in Southern Utah.
In this article, we have outlined everything you need to know to plan your epic Coyote Gulch backpacking trip in Grand Staircase Escalante.
Towering canyon walls and majestic red rock carved by the crisp blue Virgin River
Scout Lookout in Zion National Park is the viewpoint located right at the base of Angel’s Landing, the (in)famous hike that follows along a narrow…
In this article, we’ve outlined three amazing ways to spend one day in Zion National Park and we’ll help you decide which is right for…
We’ve crafted the perfect 3-day itinerary, taking you from Zion to Bryce Canyon and covering the best hikes these two parks have to offer!
Backpacking the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park is the perfect adventure for those seeking solitude and mind-blowing views in southern Utah.
It’s no secret we love Idaho, so much so we decided to make a piece of it our own. From the jagged Sawtooth Peaks and teal blue waters of the Salmon River, to the grassy flatlands of the Teton Valley, Idaho is sure to steal your heart!
Endless serene alpine lakes nestled among distinctive jagged snowy peaks
Standing nearly 10,700 feet above sea level, Thompson Peak is the tallest summit in the Sawtooth Range and the hike to reach the top is…
The Alice Toxaway Loop in Idaho is a minefield of amazing teal-blue alpine lakes, framed by the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains.
A moderate trail covering 10 miles and 1900 feet of elevation gain, the Sawtooth Lake hike gives those who take on the journey the best…
The Alice Toxaway Loop in Idaho is a minefield of amazing teal-blue alpine lakes, framed by the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Hiking to Alice lake, hidden among the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, is a perfect alpine adventure!
Teal waters, impressive waterfalls and deep canyons carved by the windy Snake River
Exploring the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway is a great way to see one of Idaho’s most impressive waterfalls or break up your drive to Yellowstone.
A hidden oasis nestled among the vast farmland of southern Idaho, Box Canyon Springs is an unexpected gem just outside Twin Falls. Part of the…
Located off Highway 84 in southern Idaho, Devil’s Washbowl in Malad Gorge is a great quick stop for easy access to a stunning waterfall.
With crystal clear springs, deep, rocky canyons, and the winding Snake River, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho!
Home to Shoshone Falls, known as the “Niagara of the West” there’s no better place to go chasing waterfalls than Twin Falls Idaho!
A 200-foot waterfall that cascades over the Snake River Canyon, Perrine Coulee Falls is a can’t miss stop on any visit to Twin Falls, Idaho.
The first time I saw a photo of Blue Heart Springs in Idaho, I quickly assumed the vibrant blue colors were heavily edited. There was…
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know to kayak to Shoshone Falls, a unique way to experience the “Niagara of the West”!
Horseback riding, fly fishing, kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, backpacking: Montana has it all and is the ideal destination for outdoor adventure lovers!
Stunning alpine lakes, snow-covered rocky mountain vistas, vibrant wildflowers, and abundant wildlife make Glacier a hiker’s paradise
With sweeping views of the snowy peaks, granite cliffs, and alpine lakes that Glacier is known for, Scenic Point certainly lives up to it’s name!
Cracker Lake Trail is a moderate 12-mile hike to a stunning alpine lake that epitomizes everything that makes Glacier National Park so beautiful and unique.
From the rolling hills, roaming bison, and incredible hydrothermal formations of Yellowstone to the jagged snowy peaks of Grand Teton, Wyoming is full of natural beauty.
From the dramatic, jagged peaks of the Teton Range to the clear waters of the alpine lakes and the meandering Snake River, we have yet to find a place as beautiful as Grand Teton National Park.
Nestled in the foothills of the Grand Tetons, Bradley Lake makes for a great spot to enjoy head on views of the iconic rocky peaks.
Nestled in the foothills of the Grand Tetons, Bradley Lake makes for a great spot to enjoy head on views of the iconic rocky peaks.
The Paintbrush Canyon Cascade Canyon loop trail is perhaps the best hike in the Grand Tetons, if not anywhere in the United States.
One popular hike in Grand Teton is the 12.4 mile trek to Holly Lake, deep in the backcountry, just below the famous Paintbrush Divide.
Our 2-day Grand Teton itinerary will give you a taste of the best in the park: go kayaking, hike to an alpine lake and catch…
If your idea of a great hike includes a picture perfect alpine lake and a little off-trail scrambling, then hiking to Delta Lake in Grand…
In this article, we’ll tell you the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park and help you decide which hike (or hikes) is right for…
Tips, tricks, and learnings from our months on the road.
Are you new to hiking and trying to figure out what to pack for a day hike? Or an experienced hiker looking to upgrade your…
With so many hiking jackets for women to choose from, finding the best option can be a challenge! Need a warm jacket for hiking in…
Planning a Utah National Parks Road trip and can’t decide what to do, where to stay and how long to spend in each place? We’ve…