Explore the extreme landscapes of Death Valley National Park with guided day trips and self-guided audio tours. Choose from sunset stargazing experiences, small-group excursions, and comprehensive sightseeing tours departing from Las Vegas.
Free Cancellation An owner-led, semi-private tour of Death Valley featuring Dante’s View, Artist’s Palette, and restaurant dining.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s highlights and stay for stargazing under some of the country’s darkest skies.
Free Cancellation Take a guided day trip from Las Vegas to explore the extreme landscapes and unique geology of Death Valley.
Free Cancellation A small-group tour of Death Valley’s iconic landmarks followed by evening stargazing under dark desert skies.
Free Cancellation Explore the salt flats, sand dunes, and ghost towns of Death Valley on a guided full-day trip from Las Vegas.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s salt flats and canyons on a guided day trip from Las Vegas with lunch and entry fees included.
Free Cancellation Explore the extreme landscapes and boomtown history of Death Valley, North America’s lowest and hottest point.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s landmarks from Badwater Basin to Dante’s View, ending with a sunset and desert stargazing.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s salt flats and mountain ranges at your own pace with this offline audio driving tour.
Free Cancellation Explore Death Valley’s salt flats and volcanic peaks on a small-group guided day trip from Las Vegas.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Death Valley — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Death Valley tours offer an unforgettable journey into a land of extremes. Expect a full day exploring vast salt flats, vibrant badlands, and towering dunes, with most guided excursions departing directly from Las Vegas.
Walk out onto the vast, white salt flats at the lowest point in North America, sitting 282 feet below sea level. The surreal landscape features unique geometric salt crusts.
Take in breathtaking panoramic views of the golden, undulating badlands from this high-altitude overlook. It is a favorite spot for sunrise photography.
Drive through hillsides splashed with vibrant shades of green, pink, gold, and purple. These colors are caused by the oxidation of rich volcanic mineral deposits.
Experience classic desert scenery as you explore these easily accessible sand dunes. Watch the shifting sands cast deep shadows during the late afternoon.
Many tours stay late into the evening so you can watch the sunset over the mountains and stargaze under some of the darkest, clearest skies in the country.
Planning your Death Valley excursion requires a bit of preparation due to the extreme environment. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
You can choose from small-group guided day tours departing from Las Vegas, specialized sunset and stargazing trips, or self-guided audio driving tours if you prefer to rent a car and explore at your own pace.
Most guided tours include the $30 vehicle entrance fee in the ticket price. If you purchase a self-guided audio tour, you will need to pay the park entrance fee separately using a credit card at automated fee machines.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 120°F. To keep you safe, guided tours operating between June and September often shift their departure times to 3:00 AM for sunrise or late afternoon for sunset viewing.
Guided tours are typically kept small, often capped at 7 to 13 passengers per vehicle. This allows for a more personalized experience and easier navigation at the scenic stops.
All guided tours provide plenty of bottled water, which is crucial since the park recommends drinking 2-4 liters daily. Some tours also include breakfast, snacks, or a boxed lunch, but you should check your specific ticket inclusions.
While the park has some wheelchair-accessible spots like the Salt Creek Trail boardwalk, most guided tour vans are not wheelchair accessible. Tours are also not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
If English isn't your first language, many operators offer live guides or audio commentary in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.
The standard cancellation policy for most Death Valley tours allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time for a full refund.
| Small Group Day Tour | Sunset & Stargazing Tour | Self-Guided Audio Tour | Premium/Private Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10-11 hours | 11-12 hours | Self-paced | 10 hours |
| Group Size | Up to 13 people | Up to 10 people | Your own vehicle | Up to 7 people |
| Inclusions | Hotel pickup, guide, water, park fees | Hotel pickup, stargazing, water, park fees | Audio app, GPS map, offline access | Custom itinerary, breakfast/lunch, guide |
| Price from | $164.99 | $229.00 | $16.99 | $199.00 |
Park Hours: Death Valley National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can enter and exit the park at any time.
Visitor Center: The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Tour Schedules: Guided tours typically last 10 to 12 hours. Winter tours usually depart Las Vegas between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. During the extreme heat of summer (June to September), tours often shift to a 3:00 AM sunrise departure or a late afternoon start to avoid the hottest part of the day.
From Las Vegas: The park is located about 120 miles west of Las Vegas. The drive takes roughly 2 hours via Highway 160 to the eastern entrance at Death Valley Junction. Almost all guided tours offer complimentary pickup and drop-off from major hotels on or near the Las Vegas Strip.
From Los Angeles: The drive from LA to the western entrance near Panamint Springs is about 270 miles and takes approximately 5 hours.
Public Transit: There is no public transportation or in-park shuttle service available. You must either book a commercial tour or rent a private vehicle.
Ideal Months: The best time to visit is from November to March. Daytime temperatures sit at a comfortable 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C), making it perfect for hiking and exploring.
Summer Warnings: April through October can be dangerously hot, with peak extreme heat in June, July, and August. Temperatures regularly exceed 120°F (49°C) and can reach 130°F (54°C). If visiting in summer, limit your time outside of air-conditioned vehicles to under 20 minutes.
Park Infrastructure: The park has several accessible areas. The Salt Creek Trail features a one-mile wheelchair-accessible wooden boardwalk. Major sights like Badwater Basin, Dante's View, and Zabriskie Point have paved paths or ramps.
Tour Restrictions: Most commercial tour vans are not equipped to handle wheelchairs. Additionally, due to the extreme environment and remote locations, tours are generally not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or individuals with poor cardiovascular health.
Payment Systems: Death Valley transitioned to a completely cashless system in June 2023. You must use a credit or debit card for the $30 vehicle entrance fee at automated machines or visitor centers.
Food and Gas: Dining options inside the park are limited and expensive. Gas prices are notoriously high, often reaching $5 to $6 per gallon. If you are driving yourself, fill up your tank in surrounding towns before entering the park.
Cell Service: Cell phone reception is virtually nonexistent in most areas of the park. If using a self-guided audio tour, download the app and map while you are still on Wi-Fi in your hotel.
Yes, most guided day tours include the $30 Death Valley National Park entrance fee in the ticket price. However, if you purchase a self-guided audio driving tour, you will need to pay the entrance fee separately upon arrival.
The vast majority of guided tours depart from Las Vegas. Operators typically offer complimentary pickup and drop-off directly from major hotels located on or near the Las Vegas Strip.
Summer temperatures in Death Valley regularly exceed 120°F and can reach up to 130°F. To ensure safety, summer tours often adjust their schedules to depart very early in the morning (around 3:00 AM) or later in the afternoon.
Most guided tour vans are not wheelchair accessible. While the park itself has some accessible viewpoints like Badwater Basin and the Salt Creek boardwalk, you would likely need a private vehicle to easily visit them.
Standard day tours usually return to Las Vegas before dark. If you want to see the stars, you need to book a specific 'Sunset and Stargazing' tour, which stays in the park until about 90 minutes after sunset.
All guided tours provide plenty of bottled water. Some tours also include snacks, breakfast, or a boxed lunch (with options like turkey, roast beef, or vegetarian), but you should check your specific booking to be sure.
Wear lightweight layers, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the intense sun. If you plan to walk on the salt flats at Badwater Basin, bring sturdy water shoes or sandals, as the salt crystals are sharp.
No, flying drones or quadcopters is strictly prohibited everywhere within Death Valley National Park boundaries. Rangers heavily enforce this rule.
Yes, several tour operators offer free downloadable apps with commentary or live guides in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.
The drive from Las Vegas to the eastern entrance of Death Valley takes about 2 hours, covering roughly 120 miles. Guided tours usually factor this travel time into their 10 to 12-hour total duration.
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