Great Itineraries

Great Itineraries

If You Have 3 Days

Start in Death Valley National Park -. Stop for lunch at Stovepipe Wells Village; then spend the rest of the afternoon at Scotty's Castle and Ubehebe Crater. Stay the night in Furnace Creek Village and explore the southern half of the park on Day 3. Be sure not to miss the vivid desert colors of Artists Palette, the Western Hemisphere's lowest spot, at Badwater, or the stunning panorama from Dante's View.

If You Have 7 Days

Spend two days exploring the many wonders of Death Valley National Park -. On your third day, head out of the park to Ridgecrest for a hike through Red Rock Canyon, Fossil Falls, or Trona Pinnacles Natural National Landmark. If you're visiting on a spring or fall weekend, make advance arrangements at the Maturango Museum to tour Petroglyph Canyons. The next morning continue south to Palmdale, then drive to Pearblossom to pick up some ceramic tiles at St. Andrew's Abbey. Return to Palmdale for dinner and a night's rest. On the morning of Day 5, after a stop at Big Pines Visitor Center, at the highest point on the San Andreas Fault, venture north on Interstate 15 into Route 66 country. In Victorville, the California Route 66 Museum tells the story of one of America's most famous roads. Heading for Barstow, get another hit of Route 66 nostalgia at Casa del Desierto Harvey House, site of the Route 66 Mother Road Museum and Gift Shop. Explore the Barstow area, including Desert Discovery Center, Calico Ghost Town, and Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark, on Day 6. The next morning, drive to Mojave National Preserve to see Kelso Dunes and to tour Mitchell Caverns (in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area). If time and road conditions permit, drive through Afton Canyon on your way back to Barstow.