Death Valley in spring: Beautiful and not that hot
Death Valley National Park
Furnace Creek Resort: The Inn, carved on the side of a hill overlooking the valley, is an upscale historic hotel while the Ranch is more laidback, sprawling across the valley floor like a small town. Rates at the Ranch, which is open year-round, start at $150, and the Inn, which is typically closed from mid-May to October, start at $350.
Safety tips: A handful of tourists have died in recent years visiting Death Valley. Don’t underestimate the need for bringing water with you. Don’t stay in the sun long. Tell someone at home what your travel plans are, and don’t go off main roads; GPS directions have sometimes led visitors astray.
This story was originally published April 19, 2014 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Death Valley in spring: Beautiful and not that hot."