Dath Valley overnight stay

Question

We are planning an overnight to Death valley, leaving LA in the early morning, We would then be driving to St. George the next day. I believe we will stay at Stovepipe Wells. Would it be feasible to see the sunset at Dante's View then do some stargazing there? Or would the distances to drive too much?

Answer

Planning an overnight in Death Valley with a stay at Stovepipe Wells is very doable, and many visitors combine sunset and stargazing with scenic overlooks. However, Death Valley’s distances and driving times often surprise people, so it’s good to understand what’s realistic and safe, especially after dark.

The drive between Stovepipe Wells and Dante’s View is long and winding, but not impossible if you’re prepared. The round-trip distance is roughly 90 miles each way (about 2 hours one way), and the last stretch to Dante’s View climbs steeply with tight curves. While the overlook is spectacular at sunset and phenomenal for stargazing, the return drive in the dark is slow and tiring.

If you have energy after a long LA–Death Valley travel day, you can attempt it, but many travelers prefer closer stops for sunset and stargazing. Below are detailed considerations and some alternative options that still give you a world-class night sky without the long nighttime mountain drive.

Feasibility of Dante’s View for sunset + stargazing:

Distance: About 2 hours each way from Stovepipe Wells, including the final 13-mile ascent.
Driving conditions: Safe but steep, narrow, and fully unlit. Returning after sunset requires alert driving.
Timing: Sunset in summer is late (around 8 pm). Stargazing typically begins after 9:30–10 pm. You may not get back to Stovepipe Wells until close to midnight.
Temperature difference: Dante’s View can be 25–30°F cooler than the valley floor; bring warm layers.

If your priority is the best possible view, Dante’s View is unmatched. If your priority is convenience and safety, there are much easier locations.

Closer alternatives for sunset:

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (5 min from Stovepipe Wells) – One of the best sunset spots in the entire park. The dunes glow gold, the sky lights beautifully, and you can walk out far enough to avoid crowds.
Mosaic Canyon (just 10 minutes away) – A short walk into the marble walls creates a dramatic glow at sunset.
Harmony Borax Works (near Furnace Creek, 25 minutes away) – Easy access, nice low-angle light, and good foregrounds for photos.

Closer alternatives for stargazing:

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – Fantastic dark skies, minimal light pollution, and no dangerous driving afterward.
Stovepipe Wells area itself – Simply walking a few minutes away from the lodge lights gives you excellent viewing.
Badwater Basin (1 hour away) – Extremely dark, surreal environment, and wide-open sky, but a longer drive back than the dunes.

The dunes offer some of the best “effort vs reward” night-sky photography in the USA—beautiful silhouettes, extremely dark skies, and a safe, short drive.

Conclusion: Seeing sunset and stargazing at Dante’s View is possible from Stovepipe Wells, but it is a major time commitment with challenging nighttime driving. If you’re tired after the long day coming from LA, consider enjoying sunset and the night sky much closer to where you’re staying. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or Stovepipe Wells area will still give you a magical Death Valley night with far less fatigue and risk.

Dath Valley overnight stay

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