Choose November for a cooler autumn trip
The drop from October's 93°F (34°C) normal high to November's 77°F (25°C) makes a meaningful difference when comparing dates for valley walking. Use those averages to choose the month, then use the forecast to choose the day's effort.
The station is at Furnace Creek. Higher elevations are cooler, so mountain plans need a separate weather and route check.
Pair a scenic drive with a viewpoint
Artists Drive is a nine-mile (14.5 km) paved, one-way road through colorful hills. It has a 25-foot (8 m) vehicle-length restriction because of dips and sharp turns; check your vehicle before choosing it.
For a walk to a badlands view, Zabriskie Point has a quarter-mile (400 m) paved uphill approach from the parking lot. These are two options to fit around your route, not a promised drive time or a complete day's itinerary.
Check Thanksgiving plans directly
A below-peak monthly count cannot tell you which November weekend will be quieter or whether rooms and campsites are available. Confirm your overnight arrangements directly and keep your stops flexible.
Use NPS conditions for your route and operating hours for facilities and services. Check the official calendar if an event is part of your plan.
Questions about November
Is November cooler than October in Death Valley?
Yes at Furnace Creek: the normal high falls from 93°F (34°C) in October to 77°F (25°C) in November. November's normal low is 51°F (10°C). Those are low-valley averages, not a mountain forecast.
Is Death Valley busy at Thanksgiving?
Our data does not separate Thanksgiving from the rest of November. The month averages 109,121 recreation visits across 2021–2025; it cannot establish holiday crowds or lodging availability.
Sources and limits
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals: DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (USC00042319), -194 feet. Normal high: 77.4°F (25.2°C); normal low: 50.5°F (10.3°C). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025: 2021–2025 average recreation visits for Death Valley National Park (DEVA). The November 2025 count is 91,122. Counts measure visits, not unique people or a day's parking pressure.
Compare your dates
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.