Death Valley Junction Is an Eastern Entrance to the National Park: NPS Lists CA-190 and Daily Visitor Center Hours

DEATH VALLEY JUNCTION, Inyo County — Travelers entering Death Valley National Park from the east commonly use California State Route 190 from Death Valley Junction, one of the paved entrance routes described by the National Park Service.

The park’s official directions page identifies CA-190 from Death Valley Junction as a paved eastern approach. The agency specifically cautions visitors not to rely solely on vehicle GPS systems, which may send drivers onto unsafe, closed or dead-end roads in remote areas.

What is open, and when?

The park itself is listed as open 24 hours a day, year-round, although individual roads and facilities may close. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center, located farther inside the park, lists public hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, including holidays. Rangers offer trip-planning assistance and visitor information at that facility.

Know the difference between the park and its visitor center

After the visitor center closes, the wider national park does not necessarily close. Visitors remain responsible for entrance fees, the rules for their activity, and any posted area closures. The park publishes current conditions and entrance-fee information on its website.

Why navigation requires care

The National Park Service recommends carrying an up-to-date road map, saving offline map data and preparing for long gaps in phone service. Many remote roads have no services for many miles, and help may take hours to arrive. Check temperatures, vehicle condition, fuel and water before entering remote parts of the park.

Primary sources: NPS — Directions and Operating Hours and Seasons. This guide does not establish live road conditions.

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