These salt flats kind of remind us of the basin of Salar de Uyuni (in Bolivia), and makes a really neat spot to take photos. By the time you finish up at the Mesquite Sand Dunes it will be approaching 5 pm. Hiking and sightseeing will not be nearly as enjoyable in this kind of heat, and you may also run into extreme heat warnings from the government during these months. Boutique Hotels Insider Tip: Be sure to get up close so you can capture the texture and detail of the salty crust. Discover the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at Death Valley National Park, the largest National Park in the U.S., on this guided, full-day excursion from Las Vegas. People visit from all over the world to go hiking in Death Valley. Starting at 6 am, you could finish up around 4 pm, depending on how long you spend at each sight, crowd levels, etc. Top Hotel Room When she is not traveling, she is watching Gilmore Girls for the 13th time, making travel itineraries she has no immediate plan to use, and drinking wine while writing for her travel blog, My Perfect Itinerary. The next section has more info on how to get there. Your 10-hour tour from Las Vegas includes: Morning pick-up at most Vegas hotels. If you are worried about road conditions, all of the top sights listed here are accessible from paved roads. This narrow Golden Canyon trail is one of the most popular in the park. Highly recommend. Fun Fact: And 282 feet below sea level, this basin is actually the lowest spot in the United States. Artists Drive is a one-way road from south to north. You probably wont need more than half an hour to explore Zabriskie Point. Looking for more things to do outside of Sin City? The second must-see spot on Artists Drive are the rainbow hills of Artists Palette. Dont bother with the Devils Golf Course. They still had fun playing in the sand but if youve got kids (or kids at heart) in your group, definitely bring something to slide on. Its a vast salty sea bed where you can spot cool crystalline geology and marvel at the mountains that loom over it. Throughout the tour he entertained and informed us with stories and his knowledge of .Death Valley. When planning a day trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley youll want to be sure you have a few necessary supplies. The drive from Dantes View to 20 Mule Team Canyon will take about 45 minutes. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. Cultural Travel Spas This Death Valley itinerary has shown you the highlight reel. 1. Travel on board a custom-built Tour Trekker vehicle to one of the most desolate places on earth. There are two routes to choose from: NV-160 through Pahrump and Death Valley Junction or US-95 through Indian Springs and Amargosa Valley. Tip: Be sure to bring lots of water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for heat protection. It was a small group of 6 people and our guide Franklin was simply amazing. A standard car is fine for this trip. Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas 423 Reviews Las Vegas, United States 11 hours (approx.) It's one of the best scenic vistas in the park. by Lori Tobias | Jun 28, 2023 | Destinations, Eat & Drink, Food, North America, Pennsylvania, United States. There is an overlook and if you have time, you can also hike down into the canyon below on the Badlands Loop. Its name stems from a group of pioneers stuck in the valley during the winter of 1849. Situated in Wildrose Canyon lie 10 beehive-shaped structures that are roughly 25 feet high. Thanks for sharing, Jill. There are two routes to choose from: NV-160 through Pahrump and Death Valley Junction or US-95 through Indian Springs and Amargosa Valley. It was a very trip overall; the guide was helpful in explaining the desert environment. Las Vegas to Death Valley is the perfect day trip to add to your itinerary because it will give you a chance to get out of the city and experience a unique part of the region. Make plans for a longer stay. Since you have such a tight schedule today, I recommend packing a picnic lunch. Death Valley National Park has the lowest spot in United States, which is then dwarfed by the nearby 11,000 foot Telegraph Peak. These salt flats seem to stretch on forever and you can walk out quite a ways if youre up to it or have extra time. Wellness Travel Recommend this trip to anyone. The road gets very curvy with several switchbacks near the very end of the drive. Photo by Jill Robbins. This itinerary is also useful if you are driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco (or vice versa). We gave this a look from the road and opted to skip. Insider Tip: The spot to catch sunrise or sunset is Zabriskie Point, for its spectacular panoramic views. Our tour guide Clay made our trip. I was a bit apprehensive about spending so much on this day trip to Death Valley. There are many places to stop to enjoy the view and take a photo, but there are two places that we think are really worth it. Comprehensive tours of Death Valley are tricky to achieve in a day when visiting from Las Vegas. From the pay station, you will take Furnace Creek Wash Road, following the signs for Dantes View. Cheers, Julie. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. While you cant see all of Death Valley in a day, you can see quite a bit of it. Hello Alice. Jill Robbins is a Texas-based freelance writer, wanderer, and photographer. For a list of must-have experiences, read our article Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park. There will be no internet/cell service. Once you arrive in Death Valley, the first thing that you will see is the park entrance sign. Stops at Ubehebe Crater, Furnace Creek Ranch Museum, Badwater, and Rhyolite Ghost Town, Pickup and drop-off from most Las Vegas hotels. The park is about a three-hour drive from Las Vegas. That said, some of the most popular sights are centrally situated. the driver guide Ralph was excellent, we had plenty of toilet/coffee breaks and his depth of knowledge on geography, geology, the history of the area and peoples and much more was breathtaking, the area is also breathtaking the view from Dante's peak has to be seen to be believed. If you are staying in Las Vegas and dont want to rent a car, you can always take a guided tour from Vegas to Death Valley. Embark on a day trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley. After all, there are endless miles of roads winding through the desert, connecting disparate points of natural and historical interest. Dantes View has fantastic views of the salt-crusted floors of the Badwater Basinthe lowest point in the United Statesfrom the parking lot. VIP Wine Tasting with Death Valley Sightseeing and Stargazing Photography Tour. To get into the canyon, it can be a slightly challenging climb up the first obstacle, but once you are past this, the rest is easy. Fantastic tour, great landscape. Adding another day to your visit to Death Valley helps to balance out the long drive to and from Las Vegas. For wildflowers: The very best month to visit Death Valley is in April and if youre lucky, the wildflowers will be in bloom. Beach Vacations DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Death Valley National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. Thats The Racetrack. Think of a visit to Death Valley as a digital detox. We particularly loved the solitude and beauty at Twenty Mule Team Canyon and the unmarked canyon in Artists Drive. You just show the pass and your drivers license at the entrance gate and go right in, so it saves some time, too. The drive was pleasant and with frequent stops, it was perfect. Springtime is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. This is the exact route my family and I took to explore the park on our recent visit. If you are visiting Death Valley during the spring, summer, or fall months (and have more daylight) or, if you blazed through this itinerary, here are a few more things to add to your Death Valley day trip. Read more about their history here. The morning is a bit early to visit one of their (legal) brothels, but perhaps you could stop into Death Valley Coffee Time or Gemas Wagon Wheel for coffee and a bit of brekky. More Information for Your Trip to Las Vegas & Death Valley. Dont expect to be able to make telephone calls, check your email, or get on social media. Stretched out in front of you is the heart of Death Valley. Experience. If you need gas or services before hitting the park entrance, Pahrump is where you need to stop. You can then see the exhibits, get maps and take a break for lunch. If you are curious about what you can do in Death Valley with more time, take a look at our 2 Day Death Valley Itinerary. Psst! Its located 3.4 miles into Artists Drive (0.9 miles before the Artists Palette parking lot). Best Things to Do in Las Vegas with Teenagers. There are some excellent hikes in Death Valley (which weve outlined in detail below). But the pioneers persevered and after the establishment of California, Death Valley became a borax mining boom-town in the 1880s. We were picked up right on time at our hotel by our tour guide, Ralph. You can just drive through 20 Mule Canyon but to get the full experience, take a short hike through these hills. Golden Canyon is a popular and short hike through a vibrant colored canyon. Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park. Ive very deliberately put Dantes view at the end of the itinerary hoping that youll time it for sunset. I am wondering what would be the best. But it was money well spent frankly I liked Death Valley much more than Grand Canyon. These pink, aqua, and purple hills are the result of the oxidation of metals in the soil. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. Just be sure youre prepared with plenty of water, and download your trail maps ahead of time. 133 reviews. Death Valley is beautiful for its contrasting landscapes. Portland Dont forget: Water, sunglasses and sunscreen! You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. With the help of this guide, you can see them in one day with a pretty packed agenda. 4 Day Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco from Las Vegas. He was knowledgeable and had a lot of stories and facts to share about a lot of things, not just about Death Valley. At Death Valley, there is no entrance gate, so you just display the America the Beautiful Pass on your dashboard. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas confirmed the big win in a tweet Wednesday. We have an annual National Park pass, do you know if they honor it here? In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. This unique formation is a 600 foot deep inverted volcano. Visit the Ubehebe Crater, the remnants of a long-ago imploded volcano. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. I took some amazing photographs here. Our website uses cookies. Death Valley is a desert and a National Park located in southeastern California, about 240 kilometers west of Las Vegas, and a must-visit place for travelers on Route 66, Las Vegas, or the West Coast of the United States. Display your pass on your dashboard in place of the park entrance pass. If you continue through the loop, you will see the colors start to form and signs pointing you towards the Artists Palette lookout. 139. For this to happen, the conditions have to be just right. Seeing Death Valley was extraordinary. For further information please visit our. She is Jewish and openly gay she's married to a rabbi and lives in Upper Manhattan. Learn about the history of Death Valley at the Furnace Creek Ranch, then travel to Badwater and the Rhyolite Ghost Town. Enjoy the view from the parking lot and explore the trails that lead off in both directions. ), 33+ BEST Things to Do in Bangkok You Cant Miss. If you visit in the spring or after a rare rainstorm, you may be treated to brilliant blooms that enhance the rugged landscape. It was very uncomfortable without much suspension, no seat pockets in the back of the seats to even hold your water bottles. Ralph was a very knowledgeable guide and touched on very many subjects including the topics about death valley. While adults and teens might enjoy the novelty of walking on the Devils Golf Course, its not something I wanted to explore with two rambunctious 11-year-olds. By Death Valley National Park Day Tour from Las Vegas 1 review Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay later Free cancellation Ages 3-65, max of 10 per group Duration: 11h Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket Korean, English, Spanish What's included What to expect Departure and return Accessibility Additional information 6. Daytime temperatures are very pleasant (65 to 70F) although it can get cold at night. From Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, you have two routes to choose from to return to Las Vegas. Click here to get sunrise and sunset times for your day of travel. While Death valley itself was great to visit, it was certainly not worth paying over $200 to this tour company for a sub par transportation and terrible boxed lunch. The National Park website states that the least crowded time to visit Death Valley is between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 5. Yes, you can see most of the popular Death Valley attractions on a day trip from Las Vegas. These fun facts about Death Valley will help you learn things like whether the park is hotter than actual hell, who swindled who and where to find The Force. As you drive into the loop, you will see one pull out area that has a small parking lot. Youll want to be leaving Vegas no later than 7:00 a.m. Cycling in Rome is a great way to explore the city. Dont worry, we are nothing if not helpful here at California Crossings. Death Valley National Park Day Tour Description. Badwater Basin. This spot is truly breathtaking! As a reminder, you wont find any place in the park to buy food until the latter part of your trip and you wont want to wait that long to refuel. If you leave Las Vegas at 7 am you will arrive in Death Valley at 9 am, which gives you a lot of time in the park today. Our guide was Ralph who was so friendly and full of knowledge. From Beatty, take US-95 S to Las Vegas. I was disappointed we didn't get to stop at the ghost town of Rhyolite due to running behind due to the roadworks , but we did see the wild donkeys and ralph stopped so we could get a good photo. ~MaryGo, "This is a rich website with deep content from freelancers covering the gamut of experiences. I expected this to be an unexciting waste of time. Before leaving Las Vegas, cache the map of Death Valley on your phone. Travel on board an air-conditioned minibus to one of the most desolate places on earth, and learn about Death Valley's history, landscape, and wildlife along the way. Read on for some of our favorite by Tracy Ellen Beard | Jun 27, 2023 | Adventure Travel, Destinations, Europe, Italy, Travel. I would strongly recommend this trip with this touring company. It can be quite the contrast to go from the bustling and luxurious city of Vegas to the quiet and isolated area of Death Valley. Even better, stay after dark, because Death Valley is an international dark sky park and Dantes View is a great spot for stargazing. Bringing plenty of water and electrolytes to stay hydrated. That saidif youre traveling with kids or want to combine your visit to Sin City with an outdoor adventure, check out Death Valley National Park. These rainbow-hued hills are the result of oxidized metal in the soil. We used the National Geographic Topographic Map and it was a lifesaver!! During winter break, viewpoints and hiking trails are more crowded than normal, but still dont even come close to peak season crowds in other parks like Yosemite and Zion. This park is full of wonderful surprises. Youll find a small turnout a little more than halfway through 20 Mule Team Canyon. This is an awesome tour. Confirmation will be received at time of booking, Child/infant seats are not provided, you will need to bring your own, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers. Download/cache/print maps and this itinerary so youll be able to refer to it when youre making your way through the park. You can definitely do this trip in a day and I will go into detail about this later in the post. Death Valley Itinerary: Day 1 Death Valley Highlights Las Vegas to Death Valley From Las Vegas it is a 2 hour drive to get to Death Valley. After passing through the city of Pahrump, you will turn onto Death Valley road towards Death Valley Junction where you can enter the park. and gave us all time to take our photos and enjoy the views. we were picked up at the flamingo with no troubles the bus was comfortable with plenty of leg room, there was a boxed breakfast with an orange juice very nice large muffin, apple, peanut butter crackers a pat of butter and a plastic knife, we were slow getting out to death valley because of extensive roadworks in the LV area, which couldn't be helped. You can visit Death Valley in the summer months, just be prepared for sweltering heat (temperatures in the 120s). I also recommend skipping Devils Golf Coursethese sand dunes are amazing and not to be missed. Below is a map Death Valley. Zabriskie Point is a cool spot for overlooking the Badwater Basin and the Panamint range beyond. Death Valley Small Group Day Adventure From Las Vegas. Since Death Valley is a national park, accommodations are fairly expensive inside the park. This is the same route that you took to get to Death Valley if you followed our driving route earlier today. Down below is Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States. Two Wandering Soles Copyright 2023. Youre welcome and thank you for the suggestion. 53. Art Plan some longer hikes and start thinking about where youre going to watch some epic sunrises and sunsets. In fact, if I had to choose one place to go out of all the amazing places within driving distance of Las Vegas, it would certainly be Death Valley. The drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley is only a short 2 hours west and will take you in the direction of sunny California! Park at the dip in the road and walk east into the canyon. If you havent already gotten a pass (which you can do in advance here), stop into the Furnace Creek to purchase one. Heres our Rhyolite guide. The photos at Dante's View & Zabriskie Point don't do justice to the actual views. Photo by Jill Robbins. Good outing for a day with excellent stops, view points and good scenery. Boy, was I wrong. The distance is 111-142 miles, depending upon which of three routes you use. He took us to unique places and saw the different terrain in Death Valley. However, if you dont mind an earlier start, getting on the road at 6 am gives you an additional hour of daylight. Phoenix We had to call a friend to get an estimate for time as the directions wouldnt work on the phone. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. per adult (price varies by group size) Area 51 Day Tour from Las Vegas. This day trip starts and ends in Las Vegas. Learn More: How to Hike Golden Canyon Gower Gulch Loop. Wineries Stay on Interstate 95 after Amargosa and go to Beatty, where you then take Highway 374 into the park. The hiking/climbing here is easy to moderate. Las Vegas, Nevada. LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. In this blog we'll cover the best places to see, the perfect 1-day itinerary, when to go, how to get there and more! See the salt flats of Death Valley, visit the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and stop at Hell's Gate. The GPS will still work, as long as the map is cached on your phone before you arrive here. Rhyolite is a bit out of the way, but worth it if you interested in learning about Death Valleys mining history, and also if you like funky art projects. Pickup offered Mobile ticket Offered in: English Don't worryhere are some similar options Las Vegas, Nevada Death Valley full day tour from Las Vegas / Watching the sunset & stars Tour 144 from $285.00 Las Vegas, Nevada Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas Even though you can do Las Vegas to Death Valley in a single day trip, the park is extremely large and could definitely keep you occupied for a few days. There is also a gas station in Furnace creek in case you need to top up. . Rhyolite boomed and busted in short order between 1907-1910 and you can creep around the site peeking into old miner huts, schoolhouse ruins and rail cars. Travel on board an air-conditioned minibus to one of the most desolate places on earth, and learn about Death Valley's history, landscape, and wildlife along the way. After was had our box lunches we had to hang on to the garbage until a comfort stop just to dispose it off. There are eroding sandstone cliffs, canyons, volcanic craters, surprising springs and painted rocks. all in all I thought it was excellent value for money and a good way to see death valley if you don't have your own transportation or even if you do, Ralphs running commentary was half the fun and interest. Photo by Jill Robbins. Las Vegas is actually the nearest airport to Death Valley, so this is a smart pick. If you dont get back too late, you could hit up downtown Las Vegas for some food and kitschy fun. Be sure to check out wander for more things to see and do when you visit National Parks, Las Vegas, and other spots in the Western US. Currently, Scottys Castle is closed indefinitely due to flood damage. My favorite part about this location is that you wont have to share it with any tour buses, which gives it some serious bonus points in my opinion . Northern California Distance: 110 miles Driving Time: 2 hours Driving in Death Valley National Park Adding up the distance that you drive in Death Valley, round trip from the pay station, here are the totals. If youre thinking about taking the tour.definitely do it. Hope there was more time to visit few more attraction points and at certain stops more time to hike the trail. Just past the pay station, turn left on Furnace Creek Wash Road (follow signs towards Dantes View) and drive 13 miles (about 25 minutes) to Dantes view. The timestamps Ive listed are our actual times from our visit that will get you to Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes with plenty of daylight to spare, although this will vary based on the time of year. Some of those links are for Amazon. Explore it with this Death Valley itinerary! There are two main sand dunes within Death Valley National Park, both begging you to explore. We had cell service for about 20 miles past Pahrump and then none until we got to the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station inside the park at about 2:00 p.m. We put together a list of fun day trips from Las Vegas, all within a 2 hour drive of the city! The tour guide/driver Ralph was very knowledgeable. Photo by Jill Robbins. (KCTV/Gray News) - A Missouri couple recently used a hotel voucher from their wedding day after receiving it 40 years ago. We personally use AllTrails. You can dine at one of the restaurants at The Oasis in Furnace Creek or you can drive one-hour round trip to Stovepipe Wells. Hi! Its also a lot of fun to turn around and look up at Dantes Peak and talk about how different Badwater Basin looks from above. This is a 9-mile scenic drive through more of Death Valleys unique landscapes. Small-group day trips to Death Valley range from $80 to $335, with the trip duration and group size influencing the price. Likely to Sell Out. I recommend taking NV-160 through Pahrump. The pickup from our hotel was at 6:00am sharp and we were dropped off to our hotel at around 6:00pm. With a guide, travel through the scenic Mojave Desert. Death Valley covers a huge area, but you can still see many unique and iconic features in a day trip from Las Vegas, as many are concentrated in an area close to the nearest entrance. CHECK AVAILABILITY Departure & return of this day trip to Death Valley from Las Vegas Artists Pallet and Artist Drive. Once you hike up, you may think youve been transported to the deserts of Morocco! Artists Palette is a 30-minute loop on Artists Drive that starts and ends on the main Badwater Basin road (where the other stops are located). Want a memorable day trip from Vegas? Experience the best Washington wines when you explore Seattle's urban wine scene. You can actually walk out onto the salt formations, which can be sharp and rough. Plenty of stops to stretch and take in the views. Make sure you have what you need to be comfortable. FAQ: Day Trip to Death Valley From Las Vegas What is the Distance from Las Vegas to Death Valley? Adding up the distance that you drive in Death Valley, round trip from the pay station, here are the totals. This page may contain affiliate links. This is most popular of all the Death Valley hikes and for good reason! Since you got up at odark thirty to start this adventure, you may want to take a pitstop in Beatty. Think again. Her love for travel has taken her all over the world and she strives to inspire YOU to see more of this beautiful world we live in! He was funny and very informative. Later today you will drive that road when you visit the Basin. Copper Since you only have one day to do Death Valley from Las Vegas, youve got no time to waste. KCTV reports that Tim and Melinda O'Brien reached out . Answer 1 of 6: Arriving Yosemite on 14th evening from Las Vegas. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. THANKS to Ralph for a memorable tour. For example a Grand Canyon pass that has not yet expired? Total Itinerary: 356 miles | 12 hours of drive time and exploring the park. 117 miles | 1:45 drive time | :20 on site. From Twenty Mule Team Canyon it is a five-minute drive to Zabriskie Viewpoint. The resulting geology has created layers of colorful and textured rock deposits. According to prosecutors, Kristel . This all-inclusive day trip features craters, ghost towns, and views of Death Valley. The hike is a 3 mile out and back to the Red Cathedral overlook. We had a great time with Jack from Desert Tours. Death Valley is harsh, hot and full of life and intrigue. Pacific Northwest In the 1920s the Pacific Borax Company engaged in a generous act of corporate philanthropy when they lobbied to to turn their cash cow into a protected space. Unlike other national parks, Death Valley National Park is constantly in a state of drought, and some of the world's highest temperatures have been recorded in this impressive park.