What to Wear in Death Valley in September + Packing Tips
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If you’re visiting Death Valley in September, don’t start packing your fall clothes just yet.
We visited Death Valley National Park in late September, and temperatures reached around 106°F during our trip. Even first thing in the morning, it was warm. But one thing surprised me: not every part of Death Valley felt the same.
Down at Badwater Basin, lightweight summer clothing was exactly what I wanted. At Dante’s View, thousands of feet above the valley floor, I wished I had dressed completely differently.
After spending a couple of days exploring Death Valley in the extreme late-September heat, here’s what I actually wore, what worked, what I would change, and what I recommend packing.
Badwater Basin at sunrise
How Hot Is Death Valley in September?
September may technically be the beginning of fall, but Death Valley doesn't necessarily get the memo.
During our late-September visit, temperatures reached around 106°F. We quickly learned that the best way to explore was to get outside very early in the morning, spend the hottest part of the day back at our hotel or pool, and venture out again later in the day.
For our morning at Badwater Basin, we arrived around sunrise. It was already roughly 80°F, and once the sun came up, you could immediately feel the difference.
This is also why I wouldn't plan a September Death Valley trip around traditional hiking. The National Park Service warns that even during spring and fall, heat at lower elevations can become unbearable and recommends saving low-elevation hikes for cooler weather.
Our September itinerary was much more about short walks, scenic viewpoints, driving between locations, and strategically planning when we were outside.
Zabriskie Point sunrise
What I Wore to Badwater Basin
For Badwater Basin, I wore a black Halara active dress with white sneakers and an Alo trucker hat.
This ended up being one of my favorite outfits of the trip.
The dress was lightweight and easy to move around in, which was important because we didn't just step out of the car for a photo. We walked quite a way out onto the salt flats to see the more defined salt formations.
I specifically chose white sneakers for Badwater Basin after reading that the salt flats can leave a white, salty residue on your shoes. I'm glad I did. Salt can get caked onto the soles and sides of your shoes as you walk across the flats, and any leftover residue is much less noticeable on white sneakers than it would be on darker shoes.
I also recommend wearing comfortable shoes with good traction. The surface changes as you walk farther out toward the salt polygons, so this isn't somewhere I would personally wear flimsy sandals.
Badwater Basin is completely exposed, so there's essentially nowhere to escape the sun once you're walking across the salt flats. We went around sunrise, and I would absolutely do that again if visiting during a hot September.
What Worked at Badwater Basin
My active dress gave me the comfort of athletic clothing without feeling like I was dressed for a serious hike. The white sneakers were comfortable for walking across the salt flats and a practical choice for hiding salt residue, while my hat helped keep the sun off my face.
If you're visiting during September, I would prioritize breathable clothing, comfortable shoes with good traction, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
Having a little fun at Badwater Basin
What I Wore to Devil's Golf Course
I kept on my Halara dress, Alo hat and sneakers when we visited Devil's Golf Course.
This worked well because Devil's Golf Course didn't require a long hike for us. We could drive to the viewing area and explore for a short period before getting back into the air-conditioned car.
The landscape here is covered with rough, jagged salt formations, so sturdy shoes are much more practical than sandals if you plan on stepping away from the parking area.
This is one of the biggest things I learned about dressing for Death Valley: you don't necessarily need serious hiking clothes for every stop, but you do need clothing that allows you to comfortably walk on uneven terrain.
An active dress, shorts or lightweight athleisure all work well for this kind of sightseeing.
Devil’s Golf Course
SHOP MY DEATH VALLEY OUTFIT
Halara Dress • Alo Trucker Hat • Sneakers (similar)
Alo trucker hat
White sneakers
What I Wore to Zabriskie Point
For Zabriskie Point, I wore Alo shorts, a black Uniqlo camisole and a lightweight Quince button-down shirt.
This was probably my favorite combination from a practical standpoint.
The shorts and camisole kept me cool, while the lightweight button-down gave me an extra layer when I wanted it. I could leave it open, roll up the sleeves or take it off completely depending on the temperature.
It also gave me a little extra sun coverage without having to wear something heavy.
For a September Death Valley trip, I would definitely pack at least one lightweight long-sleeve shirt like this. It's much more versatile than bringing a jacket for the valley floor.
The linen shirt was perfect for Zabriskie Point
SHOP MY ZABRISKIE POINT OUTFIT
Quince linen shirt
Uniqlo Cami
Trouser shorts
The Outfit I Got Wrong: Dante's View
Dante's View is where I made my biggest clothing mistake.
I wasn't expecting to do much walking, so I arrived dressed more casually in jeans and a basic shirt. Once we got there, however, we decided to explore farther along the ridge.
I immediately wished I had worn athleisure.
Dante's View sits high above the valley floor, so it can feel completely different from places like Badwater Basin. It was cooler and windier, and the terrain beyond the main viewpoint made me wish I had dressed for actual activity rather than a quick scenic stop.
Dante’s View
If I did it again, I would wear leggings or athletic shorts, a breathable top, good walking shoes and a lightweight layer.
This is probably my biggest packing tip from our entire trip:
Don't dress for Dante's View based on the temperature at Furnace Creek or Badwater Basin.
Even if you only intend to stop at the main viewpoint, having athletic clothing and an extra layer gives you the flexibility to explore farther if you decide to.
WHAT I'D WEAR TO DANTE'S VIEW
Athleta Leggings
Alo Crop Top
Light Jacket
What I Wore at the Pool
Because temperatures were over 100°F during our visit, spending part of the afternoon at the pool wasn't just relaxing. It fit perfectly into the way we structured our days.
I packed a basic black bikini, which was really all I needed.
Nothing beats a relaxing hotel pool day
We stayed at The Inn at Death Valley, so after exploring early in the morning, we could return to the hotel, cool off and spend some time at the pool while the temperatures outside climbed.
If you're staying somewhere with a pool, definitely bring a swimsuit even for a late-September trip. This isn't a destination where I would assume pool season is over just because summer technically ended.
SHOP MY POOL ESSENTIALS
Basic Black Bikini
Polarized Sunglasses
Slide Sandals
Shoes I Would Pack for Death Valley
If you're mostly visiting the major viewpoints like we did, I don't think you automatically need heavy hiking boots.
I wore sneakers and they worked well for our itinerary.
The bigger priority is having shoes that are comfortable on uneven surfaces and that you can comfortably walk in for an extended period.
For our style of trip, I would pack:
Comfortable sneakers or trail shoes
Pool sandals or flip-flops
Hiking shoes only if your itinerary includes more substantial trails
I wouldn't make fashion sandals my primary sightseeing shoes. Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course and the trails around viewpoints can all involve surfaces where sneakers make much more sense.
My Death Valley September Packing List
After actually experiencing Death Valley in late September, this is what I would put in my suitcase.
Clothing
Active dress
Athletic shorts
Lightweight tank tops or camisoles
Breathable T-shirts
Lightweight long-sleeve button-down shirt
Leggings or other athleisure for higher elevations
Lightweight jacket or layer for Dante's View
Swimsuit
Comfortable sleepwear
Underwear and socks
Shoes
Comfortable walking sneakers or trail shoes
Sandals or flip-flops for the hotel and pool
Hiking shoes if you're planning actual hikes
Sun and Heat Essentials
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Refillable water bottle
Electrolytes
Lip balm
Plenty of water in the car
The National Park Service recommends carrying plenty of water in Death Valley and specifically advises visitors to pack sun protection and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for extreme heat.
Don't underestimate how much water you'll need just because you're sightseeing rather than hiking. The combination of heat, intense sun and extremely dry air can sneak up on you.
Quince linen pieces are affordable and comfortable
This Halara Dress has become my staple item for the summer
Final Thoughts: Dressing for Death Valley in September
My biggest takeaway from visiting Death Valley in September is to pack for extreme heat but dress for the specific location you're visiting.
At lower elevations, lightweight dresses, athletic shorts, camisoles and breathable layers worked best for me. But higher-elevation areas like Dante's View were a different story, where athleisure, good walking shoes and an extra layer would have been much more useful.
Timing matters just as much as clothing, too. We explored places like Badwater Basin early in the morning and limited our outdoor activities once temperatures climbed. That made our trip much more enjoyable than trying to push through the hottest part of the day.
If you're headed to Death Valley in September, don't pack like you're taking a fall vacation. Pack like it's still summer, bring a layer for the higher elevations, and be prepared to adjust your plans around the heat.
Visiting Death Valley in September? Temperatures were still over 100°F during our late-September trip, so lightweight outfits were essential. I’m sharing what I wore to Badwater Basin, Devil’s Golf Course, Zabriskie Point and more, plus the shoes, layers and essentials I recommend packing.