Lowest to Highest Route Death Valley
Badwater Basin, CA, USA
Mt. Whitney, CA, USA
With temperatures that can reach 130 °F (54 °C) Death Valley is the hottest and driest of the national parks in the United States. The...
Culture & History: Ancestral home of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, who have inhabited the valley for thousands of years. Famous in Western lore for the 1849 California Gold Rush pioneers, historic 20-mule team borax wagon trains, and ghost mining towns like Rhyolite and Leadfield.
Nature Highlights: Badwater Basin (lowest elevation in North America at -282 ft / -86 m), Zabriskie Point’s golden badlands, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Artist’s Palette mineral formations, and Devil’s Golf Course.
Running Trails & Spots: Telescope Peak Trail (steep alpine climb above the desert floor), Badwater Basin salt flats, Golden Canyon to Gower Gulch loop, and Westside Road dirt tracks.
Major Running Events: Badwater 135 (the “World’s Toughest Foot Race” in July, running from Badwater Basin to Whitney Portal), Death Valley Road Marathon / Borax Marathon (winter), and the Death Valley Trail Marathon through Titus Canyon.
Running Tours: Desert Soles Guided Trail Runs, Wild West Running Adventures (winter guided excursions through Death Valley National Park).
Running Festivals: Death Valley Winter Sports & Running Weekend (organized informal runner gatherings around Furnace Creek in early spring).
Running Retreats: Death Valley High-Altitude & Heat-Adaptation Running Camps (held on the park perimeter during shoulder seasons).
Running Clubs: High Desert Runners, Vegas Valley Trail Runners (hosts frequent weekend group runs to Death Valley), Death Valley Striders.
Running Organizations: AdventureCORPS (organizers of Badwater 135), Death Valley Natural History Association, Enviro-Sports (organizers of the Titus Canyon Trail Races).
Running Media: Ultrarunning Magazine (extensive Badwater 135 coverage), Trail Runner Magazine, Badwater Podcast.
Eat & Drink (running related): Date shakes (high-fructose, high-calorie recovery shakes made from local dates), salt-loaded pretzels, pickle juice shots (anti-cramping), heavily electrolyte-infused water (LMNT/Liquid I.V.).
Shopping (running related): Heat-reflective running hats, white cooling UV arm sleeves, sand/dirt gaiters, high-salinity electrolyte caps.
Sleep (running related): The Oasis at Death Valley (Furnace Creek Resort—featuring a spring-fed pool for leg recovery), Stovepipe Wells Village hotel, and desert camping at Furnace Creek Campground.
We only link to places, products and services that are recommended by and/or valuable for the runners community. As partner of affiliate programs including Amazon Associates, we sometimes receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something through these links. This supports the website without bothering you with ads.