Planning a multi-day adventure in Death Valley? While the desert terrain may look intriguing, it requires serious preparation to spend an extended amount of time here. No matter where you hike – but especially in a place as extreme as Death Valley – your gear and equipment can make the difference between a thrilling trip and a more unpleasant ordeal.
To help you make the most of your trip, here are the essential items you’ll want to pack.
Water, food and cooking items
It goes without saying that the park can get extremely hot – summer temperatures often reach around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Death Valley is called Death Valley for a reason, and you don’t want to be stuck without water in this vast expanse of desert terrain. Therefore, make sure you have an ample supply – it’s recommended that you plan for several litres per day.
Likewise, food is a necessity, and you’ll need to make sure you’re consuming nutritious meals to sustain your energy. Pack high-protein snacks, meals, and equipment to cook or prepare them if needed. It’s also a good idea to include waste bags and utensils if you plan to cook.
Shelter supplies
A multi-day hike means finding somewhere to stay overnight. A specialised tent or other shelter is essential, and it should both keep you cool during the heat of the day and warm at night – despite what you may think, the desert can get very cold when the sun goes down. Make sure you also have a good quality sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
This Original Travel guideshares some of the park’s best campgrounds, with entrance fees included so you can budget for your trip. While straying off the beaten path may feel like an adventure, it’s best to stick to designated campgrounds for your personal safety – and to protect the landscape around you.
Climate-appropriate clothing
It can be tricky to plan outfits that are both cool enough for the daytime and warm enough for nighttime – as well as being comfortable and appropriate for hiking. In addition to everyday clothing items, it’s a good idea to bring layers and accessories such as:
Wicking base layer and insulating mid layer
Outer shell/wind jacket
Broken-in, comfortable hiking shoes and socks
A wide-brimmed hat and a beanie
High-quality sunglasses with full UV protection
Don’t forget a good backpack that can carry everything you need. It should be durable and waterproof, to keep your belongings safe no matter the weather.
Navigation and emergency gear
While it’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself in an emergency situation, it’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected. Particularly in a place as harsh as Death Valley, where you may find yourself miles away from help should you need it, it’s important to have the essentials to hand.
Bring a map and a compass, and consider a GPS device – it can be easy to get lost, particularly on backcountry routes which can be remote and tricky to navigate. You should also always carry a first aid kit, a torch with batteries, and basic repair tools. Above all else, always let somebody you trust know where you are – even if that just means sharing a general plan before you leave and keeping in touch each day.
Once you’ve got the basics taken care of, all that’s left is to plan your route and enjoy the park. If in doubt, always pack extra and stick to established routes – there’s so many stunning sights to see, and you don’t have to venture off into the unknown to have a wonderful time.
While traveling, I want to capture VIDEO and PHOTOS as quickly and easily as possible.
BEST for me in 2025 is to simply carry my iPhone 16 Pro. Typically I shoot video in the standard Camera app, 4K, 60 frames / second. HDR in automatic mode. Only 5x optical zoom is a bit of a limitation, but it’s much better zoom than phones in the past.
More often than not, I bring my inexpensive tripod from Fotopro. (Similar to JOBY GorillaPods — but a little better.)
The tripod works like a selfie stick. Or I can quickly set it up almost anywhere.
That tripod has a simple ball head. To it, I attach the Ulanzi ST-27 Metal Phone Clip to keep my phone secure. It fits a large smart phone with cover.
When my FotoPro breaks (often) I use an old miggo Splat. More durable, but not quite as adaptable.
I’m addicted to my Apple Watch — and use the Camera Remote app as a viewfinder for taking photos and videos from a distance. I have that app as one of my Complications on the Apple Watch face so it’s always quickly available.
For multiple day adventures, I’ll bring one or more external batteries, in addition to the Anker MagGo Power Bank. HEAVY — YES. But they are the safest way to recharge my electronics on the trail. These brutes have saved me many, many times in the past.
It can charge 5 devices simultaneously including a laptop, but I find the 4th and 5th (USB-A) really don’t get much juice compared with the first 3 ports in line. Almost all my devices now are USB-C.
If cycling — where weight and bulk are less an issue — I usually bring along a short extension cord. This makes it more convenient to plug into libraries, coffee shops, hostels, shopping malls, etc. (The UGREEN tends to fall out of a loose wall socket.)
BUT in 2025, I’m keen on shooting more with the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro Gimbal. (Optional magnetic attachment rather than the standard clamp.)
The Gimbal does dozens of interesting things, but I want it mainly to track myself while videotaping. This gimbal actually tracks consistently. Many do not.
For tracking I use the Insta360 app — not bothering with Apple DockKit integration nor the optional AI Tracker.
AND the gimbal is not all that bulky.
The BIG decision for me is whether or not to take the DJI Mini 4 Drone. The Controller is essential. … In fact, so far I always bring the bulky carrying case and 3 extra batteries. A major commitment.
BUT I love shooting drone video. And I am often willing to suffer with the extra bulk and weight.
Actually, all this gear is not bad when I’m bikepacking. I add even more gear including the world’s best helmet. 😀
For long trips, I sometimes bring along my old MacBook Air and 2 or 3 external 2TB SSD drives. I need them for back-up and video / photo editing.
I normally leave the Apple charging brick at home, using USB C charging, instead.
Critical for cycling is navigation. I use an old iPhone with a QuadLock attachment to the handlebars. And a rain poncho, when necessary.
I’ll stop here …. though there are times I bring even MORE along in the bike saddle bags. 😀
IF I might need light at night, I’ll bring my tiny Nitecore headlamp and short charging cable.
Anker IQ wall plug for a quick charge at a coffee shop. ??
Bottom line? Show up with your phone and a back-up external battery. That’s what the smart folks do. 🙏
Me? I’ll always have the phone and drone.
For example, for my next international trip (hiking, not cycling) this is my MAIN recharging set-up. One electrical outlet ➙ light extension cord ➙ International adapter ➙ my UGREEN Nexode 100W 5 Port USB C Charger Block ➙ 1) laptop, 2) INUI external battery (charging watch), 3) UGreen (charging phone).
Cables are long for convenience in awkward recharging locations. Cables are high speed. Priority is keeping my external batteries charged for use away from an electrical outlet.
In addition are my devices to be charged irregularly. I’ll do these once the MAIN group of devices is done.
I’m bringing a second phone as a back-up. In foreign nations, I’ll put a local SIM card into this 2nd phone.
This is the bulky, heavy drone with 4 batteries. (My next drone will be lighter and smaller.)
I do have AirPods, as well. Normally I top those up from the external battery when needed.
I might take the Flow Pro 2 Gimbal — but that battery seems to stay charged almost indefinitely. 😀
Electronics are carried in my trusty old laptop case. Drone and accessories, separate.
quick and easy to switch between riding and carrying your bag
can accommodate bags from 30 to 110 litres
compact when folded for planes, trains, buses, etc.
particularly suited to the military, rescue services, photographers, mountain guides and any other professional or amateur who needs to carry equipment in the wild
MIGHT be an option for hikers with physical problems where they cannot carry a backpack
besthike.com 