Death Valley in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Best window · VisitWhen score 64/100 · #3 of 12 months

November is one of the best months of the year to visit Death Valley National Park: crowds run 68% of the March peak (109,121 average visits). Weather: highs average 77°F and lows 51°F, with 0.1″ of precipitation and 10.2 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data. November ranks #3 of 12 months here.

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Death Valley in November: what the park service says

November falls inside Death Valley's reservation season for Furnace Creek Campground, which the park service runs from October 15 to April 15. Furnace Creek is the only park campground you can book; every other park campground is first-come, first-served when it is open, and the park notes that many of them are seasonal, so check the specific campground before you count on it. Furnace Creek bookings open up to six months ahead and close two days before your arrival.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in November

Death Valley averages 109,121 recreation visits in November — 68% of what March, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.

Weather & daylight

Days are mild (highs average 77°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 51°F). It is typically dry (0.1″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.2 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (1 mi from park coordinates, -194 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.

What to pack for Death Valley in November

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• A light layer you can shed by midday (long sleeve or windbreaker) — a 27°F swing between the average low of 51°F and high of 77°F
• Headlamp — only 10.2 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
• Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
• New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
• Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24