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Death Valley · October

Death Valley in October

October is a busy time to visit Death Valley — busier than September, about as busy as November.

Expect heavy crowds (7/10), highs near 89°F, about 11.3 hours of daylight, and 1 seasonal closure in effect.

Crowd score

How busy it gets

7/10
Busy

Approaching peak season — expect full lots by mid-morning and busy overlooks.

About 62% of this park's busiest month.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →

Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe

Visitation

Typical October visits vs. the year

October (typical)93,672
Peak — April152,100
Quietest — September65,631

October draws about 7% of Death Valley’s yearly visitors.

Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Weather

October weather

Avg high
89°F
Avg low
65°F
Precipitation
0.1"
Sunrise
5:56 AM
Sunset
5:11 PM
Daylight
11.3h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, STOVEPIPE WELLS 1 SW, CA US

This week

7-day forecast for Death Valley

DayConditionsHighLowPrecip chance
Sun 18Partly cloudy63°F48°F0%
Mon 19Partly cloudy62°F47°F0%
Tue 20Light drizzle64°F49°F29%
Wed 21Rain showers64°F48°F75%
Thu 22Drizzle53°F46°F63%
Fri 23Light drizzle55°F45°F7%
Sat 24Clear60°F47°F0%

Forecast data by Open-Meteo

Source: Open-Meteo

What's open

Death Valley in October: access

The park is open daily all year.

Seasonal closures may apply:

  • Information

    Gas Pumps at Panamint Springs Resort are Closed at Night

    Gasoline is available at Panamint Springs Resort from 7am-9:30pm, daily. Gas is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells 24hrs.

Source: NPS Data API

Conditions

Current alerts

No additional active alerts or warnings reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Context

Death Valley crowds across the year

January: 7/10 crowdJanFebruary: 8/10 crowdFebMarch: 10/10 crowdMarApril: 10/10 crowdAprMay: 8/10 crowdMayJune: 5/10 crowdJunJuly: 7/10 crowdJulAugust: 7/10 crowdAugSeptember: 5/10 crowdSepOctober: 7/10 crowd7OctNovember: 7/10 crowdNovDecember: 8/10 crowdDec

Alternatives

Quieter nearby in October

FAQ

Death Valley in October

How busy is Death Valley in October?

October rates 7/10 for crowds (Busy) at Death Valley National Park — about 62% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 93,672.

What is the weather like at Death Valley in October?

In October, Death Valley averages a high of 89°F and a low of 65°F, with about 0.1 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Death Valley?

Entrance to Death Valley costs $30 (All visitors, including Non-US residents, may purchase and utilize this entrance fee. Purchasing this entrance fee allows all persons traveling in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.).

When is Death Valley least crowded?

Death Valley is quietest in June and September. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.

How many hours of daylight does Death Valley get in October?

In mid-October, Death Valley gets about 11.3 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 5:56 AM and sunset around 5:11 PM.