Depart from Las Vegas to explore the striking landscapes of Death Valley National Park. These guided tours offer air-conditioned transport to famous landmarks like Badwater Basin, with options for small groups and sunset stargazing.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s peaks and dunes on a custom, small-group tour led by expert owner-operators.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s iconic landmarks from Las Vegas, ending with a desert sunset and guided stargazing.
Free Cancellation Visit Death Valley’s famous salt flats and desert peaks on a guided day trip from Las Vegas with lunch included.
Free Cancellation Explore the salt flats and canyons of Death Valley on a guided day trip from Las Vegas in air-conditioned comfort.
Free Cancellation A small-group day trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley’s salt flats, colorful hills, and panoramic overlooks.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s iconic landmarks, including Badwater Basin and Artist's Palette, on a guided small-group tour.
Free Cancellation A full-day small-group tour from Las Vegas to the salt flats and desert landscapes of Death Valley National Park.
Free Cancellation A full-day trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley’s ghost towns, sand dunes, and the salt flats of Badwater Basin.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Death Valley — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Trading the neon lights of Las Vegas for the stark, desolate beauty of Death Valley is an unforgettable experience. On a guided day trip, you will journey into the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States, exploring a dramatic landscape of vast salt flats, colorful volcanic hills, and towering sand dunes.
Walk out onto a massive expanse of geometric salt crusts at the lowest point in North America, sitting 282 feet below sea level.
Drive through a canyon splashed with vibrant shades of pink, green, and purple caused by the oxidation of ancient volcanic mineral deposits.
Take in panoramic views of a golden, undulating sea of badlands. This is one of the most iconic and photographed spots in the entire park.
Stand on a high mountain ridge overlooking the valley floor, offering a breathtaking perspective of the salt flats directly below.
Wander through classic, shifting desert sand dunes that rise dramatically from the valley floor, perfect for photography.
Explore the hauntingly beautiful concrete ruins of an abandoned early 1900s gold rush boomtown located just outside the park boundaries.
Planning a day trip to Death Valley from Las Vegas requires a bit of foresight due to the extreme desert environment and the driving distance. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot on a tour.
Most options from Las Vegas are full-day small group tours in comfortable 7-15 passenger vans. You can also find private VIP tours for a more customized experience, or specialized sunset and stargazing tours that stay late into the evening.
If you visit between June and September, temperatures regularly exceed 120°F. To keep you safe, summer tours often start as early as 3:00 AM to catch the sunrise and finish exploring before the afternoon heat peaks.
The $30 National Park entrance fee is generally included in the cost of your guided tour. Most operators also provide unlimited bottled water, which is crucial, while some include a boxed lunch or breakfast.
These tours are usually suitable for all fitness levels. Instead of strenuous hiking, you will take short walks from an air-conditioned vehicle to nearby viewpoints. However, the intense heat and dry air can still be physically draining.
Tour operators typically offer convenient pickup and drop-off from major hotels along the Las Vegas Strip and the Downtown/Fremont Street area. You will usually receive your exact pickup time via email or text the day before.
While the park has paved paths at Badwater Basin and Dante's View, many tour vans are not fully wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator to see if they can accommodate a foldable wheelchair or stroller.
The vast majority of Death Valley tours offer a standard 24-hour cancellation policy, allowing you to get a full refund if your plans change or if the weather looks uncooperative.
| Small Group Day Tour | Sunset & Stargazing Tour | Private VIP Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10-11 hours | 12 hours | 8-10 hours |
| Group Size | Up to 13-15 people | Small group | Your personal group |
| Best For | First-time visitors wanting to see all the major daytime highlights | Photography enthusiasts and night sky lovers | Families or groups wanting a flexible, customized itinerary |
| Starting Price | $164 | $249 | $297 |
Death Valley National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can drive into the park at any time of day or night, which is especially popular for stargazing or catching early sunrises.
However, visitor facilities have specific operating hours. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is where you can speak to rangers, check road conditions, and pick up Junior Ranger booklets for kids.
Death Valley is located approximately 120 miles west of Las Vegas. The drive takes about 2 hours via Highway 160, bringing you to the eastern entrance at Death Valley Junction. From there, it is another 30 minutes to the main Furnace Creek area.
There is absolutely no public transportation or shuttle service into or within the park. If you aren't booking a guided tour, you will need to rent a car. Ensure your vehicle is in excellent condition, as a breakdown in the remote desert can be highly dangerous.
The ideal time to visit Death Valley is during the winter and early spring, from November to March. During these months, daytime highs are a very comfortable 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C), making it perfect for exploring the salt flats and badlands.
The worst time to visit is from April to October. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 120°F (49°C) and can reach up to 130°F (54°C). If you must visit in the summer, limit your time outside of air-conditioned vehicles to less than 20 minutes and avoid low-elevation hikes entirely.
Death Valley offers several accessible options for slow walkers and wheelchair users. Many of the park's most famous viewpoints, like Devil's Golf Course and Artist's Drive, can be enjoyed directly from your vehicle or via very short, flat walks.
Facilities inside the park are limited and spread far apart. The park operates on a completely cashless system, meaning you must use a credit or debit card at the visitor centers and 24/7 automated fee machines to pay the $30 vehicle entrance fee.
Gasoline is available within the park at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, but prices are notoriously high, often ranging from $5 to $6 per gallon. It is highly recommended to fill up your tank in Pahrump or another surrounding town before entering the park.
To protect the fragile desert ecosystem and ensure visitor safety, the National Park Service heavily enforces several strict rules:
The drive from Las Vegas to the eastern entrance of Death Valley National Park is about 120 miles and takes approximately two hours. Most full-day tours take around 2.5 hours each way depending on which specific park landmarks you visit first.
Yes, almost all guided tours from Las Vegas include the $30 per vehicle National Park entrance fee in their total price. However, it's always a good idea to double-check the 'inclusions' section of your specific ticket before booking.
Yes, but operators heavily modify their itineraries for safety. Summer tours often depart Las Vegas as early as 3:00 AM to view the sunrise and avoid the brutal afternoon temperatures, which can easily reach 120°F to 130°F.
Absolutely. Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, is a staple on almost every tour itinerary. You will have time to walk out onto the massive white salt crusts, but be sure to wear sturdy shoes as the salt crystals are quite sharp.
Most tour operators offer direct pickup and drop-off from major hotels located on the Las Vegas Strip and in the Downtown/Fremont Street area. If you are staying at an Airbnb or off-strip property, they will usually ask you to meet at a nearby central hotel.
It varies by operator. Some tours provide a boxed lunch (with sandwich options like turkey or vegetarian) and snacks, while others only provide unlimited bottled water and require you to bring your own food. Check your tour's specific inclusions.
Yes, families are welcome, and some operators even provide specialized infant seats. However, keep in mind that it is a very long day with a lot of driving, and some tours have a minimum age requirement of 7 years old.
No, the vast majority of guided day tours are designed for all physical fitness levels. You will mostly be taking short, flat walks from an air-conditioned van to scenic overlooks like Zabriskie Point and Dante's View.
Standard daytime tours return to Las Vegas by late afternoon. If you want to see the stars, you need to book a specific 'Sunset and Stargazing' tour, which stays in the park after dark to take advantage of the incredibly clear, dark desert skies.
No. The National Park Service strictly prohibits the launching, landing, or operating of drones anywhere within Death Valley National Park. You will need to stick to standard cameras and smartphones for your photography.
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