7 Best Death Valley Tours from Las Vegas in 2024
Are you planning to take a tour to Death Valley from Las Vegas?
Death Valley is one of the most unearthly places I’ve ever been to, so of course, I would naturally go back two more times. It’s dramatic landscapes and extreme weather conditions make you feel like you’re on another planet.
Don’t have time to read about all the tours on the list? Well then, this Death Valley Full Day Tour to watch the sunset and stars is the best on our list, with only 5 star feedback.
If you’d rather research all your options, below is the full guide to the 7 best Death Valley Tours from Vegas! Get ready to explore one of the hottest, lowest, and driest places in the world.
My Top 3 Picks: Death Valley Tours from Las Vegas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Death Valley full-day tour from Las Vegas (Sunset & Stars Tour)
✅ Best of Death Valley
✅ Watch the sunset, then stay to stargaze
✅ Small group trip with national park fees included
Private Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas
✅ Hit the best Death Valley attractions
✅ All-inclusive Private tour in a luxury vehicle
11 Day Best of the West National Parks Tour
✅ 7+ National Parks
✅ End with a San Francisco City Tour
✅ Tent or Lodge Accommodation
A Bit About Death Valley National Park
Nestled in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Death Valley National Park stretches over 3.4 million acres to an array of landscapes, from towering sand dunes and unforgiving salt flats to rugged canyons and rocky outcrops.
Hit the trails or take in the beauty from behind the wheel. Don’t miss the iconic Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, or the abundant wildlife and plant life like bighorn sheep and kangaroo rats.
How Far is Death Valley from Las Vegas?
The driving distance off the Las Vegas Strip to Death Valley is about 120 miles, which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. Note that Death Valley is huge, so this doesn’t include the time driving inside the park.
Tip! Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, with temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit during summer. Pack accordingly for your visit and ensure your vehicle doesn’t overheat!
7 Best Tours to Death Valley from Las Vegas
1. Death Valley full-day tour from Las Vegas (Sunset & Stars Tour)
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 Hours | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Watch the sunset after a full day of sightseeing, then stay to stargaze
- Small group trip with national park fees included
Experience Death Valley’s days and nights on this full-day tour from Las Vegas (Sunset & Stars Tour).
Let your guide handle all the logistics as you marvel at the dramatic badlands, a shriveled salt lake, and other striking scenery at locations like Artists Palette and Zabriskie Point. After a meal, stay until after sunset to see the stars come out in this International Dark-Sky Park.
Great tour with Leo, Totally immersive with great views of the National park. The sunset and star gazing were the highlights of the trip! – Adam
– Adam (Read more reviews)
All admission fees are included in the cost, as well as bottled water and round-trip transportation with complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off in Las Vegas.
With a professional tour guide and a small group capped at 10 people, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and get a personalized experience.
2. Private Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 Hours | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Hit the best Death Valley attractions
- All-inclusive Private tour in a luxury vehicle
Are you ready to travel to one of Earth’s most unique and fascinating places, just with you and your fam? This privately guided Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas is the perfect way to discover the largest National Park in the continental US.
Travel in style on board a luxury SUV or mini coach through this desolate terrain. From the old ghost town of Rhyolite to the colorful canyons, salt pinnacles, and volcanic craters, you’ll unveil surreal desert sceneries that are a photographer’s dream. Meanwhile, your guide will entertain you with fascinating stories about the park’s history and wildlife.
The whole tour was surreal with the very expanse and beauty of the amazing landscape. Our tour guide Art, was an excellent driver, courteous and patient and very knowledgeable.
– Monika (Read more reviews)
Your trip includes entrance fees, lunch, snacks, bottled water, and even hotel pickup and drop-off. All you need to bring is your sense of adventure!
3. Death Valley Explorer Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 Hours | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Hit the best Death Valley attractions
- All-terrain vehicle to take you to limited access areas
Cons of this tour:
- Seasonal from September to May
This Death Valley Explorer Tour is a full-day excursion from Las Vegas, bumping along the unique landscapes of the hottest climate on Earth. You’ll ride on board a custom-built Tour Trekker vehicle specifically designed to reach areas of Death Valley that are inaccessible by a regular car, yet still stay comfortable.
Descend to the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, the Badwater Basin, and the surreal Devil’s Golf Course, where salt pans constantly evolve with the elements. Along the way, behold Dante’s Peak, where Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States, and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the US, can be seen on a clear day.
Loved the colors in the mountains and the Devils golf course. we saw a coyote and wild horses. even saw a coupe of rainbows. who knew it would rain in the desert while we were there! Jennifer was an awesome tour guide.
– Kathy (Read more reviews)
The Death Valley Explorer Tour includes hotel pickup/drop-off, lunch, and bottled water as you take in this beautiful yet harsh environment. The tour is seasonal and operates from September to May.
4. VIP Wine Tasting with Death Valley Sightseeing and Stargazing Photography Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 Hours | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Indulge in a wine-tasting with lunch
- Stargaze from Zabriskie’s Point
Cons of this tour:
- Hit only some of Death Valley destinations
Escape the brightest city in the world to the International Dark Sky Park-recognized Death Valley National Park on this small-group tour that combines wine tasting and stargazing with spectacular views of the valley.
With personalized attention and guided commentary, you’ll visit the Pahrump Valley Winery to see the grape cultivation process and even have the opportunity to taste some award-winning wines alongside a picnic-style lunch.
As you journey through the park, you’ll stop at Dante’s View before visiting the low-lying Badwater Basin, then through the colorful hills of Artist’s Palette. As night falls, head to Zabriskie Point for some epic stargazing, free from light pollution.
Lorenzo was great and this tour is a must do!…The Artesian Cellars winery had great food and wine and a lovely gift shop. Death Valley was beautiful and the stars at night are life changing.
– Marq (Read more reviews)
With a group size limited to 14 people, this tour guarantees an intimate atmosphere with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off from any hotel along the strip. Entrances to Death Valley and local wineries are included.
5. Death Valley Day Adventure From Las Vegas
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11-12 Hours | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Small group to all the best Death Valley points of interest
- Cheapest tour on the list
Cons of this tour:
- Only leaves 2-3 times a week (all other day tours leave every day)
On this full-day tour of Death Valley National Park from Las Vegas, take a journey to one of the United States’ most extreme lands.
You’ll travel in comfort as you see many of the park’s highlights, all in one day. Admire the rugged, dramatic scenery as you wander through park highlights like Rhyolite Ghost Town, Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Zabriskie Point.
The itinerary has something for everyone’s taste, from the gold rush’s history to hiking trails around Dante’s View. Plus, lunch is served at the Toll Road Restaurant, where you can see the famous Burned Wagons Point Memorial.
Great fun. A well paced adventure at our planet’s finest Death Valley. No worries, there is plenty of drinking water in the vehicle. The toll road restaurant offered a succulent lunch.
– Anthony (Read more reviews)
On this small group tour limited to 12 people, logistics are taken care of too. Round-trip transport is provided from your Las Vegas hotel, and entrance tickets to Death Valley and other relevant sites are included.
6. 4 Day Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco from Las Vegas
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 Days | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Destinations list includes Death Valley, Yosemite, and San Francisco
- One-way transport to San Francisco
Cons of this tour:
- Only available June through September
Prepare for this thrilling 4-day guided tour from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Discover the best of the California desert traversing through the Mojave Desert, Death Valley, and the Sierra Mountains, while you stargaze at night and hike through beautiful landscapes during the day.
An experienced tour guide will lead you first through Death Valley National Park before crossing some of my favorite Highway 395 highlights like Mono Lake and Olmsted Point.
Spend a full day strolling the different hiking options in Yosemite, from easy to challenging, including famous spots like Bridalveil Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, and views of Half Dome and El Capitan. Your 4-day adventure will end with a guided tour of San Francisco.
WOW!!!!!!!!!! A+++++++++++ EXPERIENCE of a lifetime! Phenomenal Tour Guide Chelsea Chelsea was very knowledgeable, low key, kept it fun and low key and was always there 24/7 as a resource for us. I felt very safe as a solo traveler.
– (Read more reviews)
Prices vary between the two types of accommodations available for you to choose from: a tent camping option or a lodging option. If you purchase six seats, you can even upgrade to a private tour for just you and your family and friends.
This tour is available from June through September and provides transportation in a modern, air-conditioned 14-passenger tour bus, SUV, or minivan.
Trip Itinerary:
- Day 1: Best of Death Valley National Park
- Day 2: Crossing Tioga Pass passing Highway 395 highlights
- Day 3: Best of Yosemite National Park
- Day 4: San Francisco City Tour
7. 11 Day Best of the West National Parks Tour Las Vegas to San Francisco
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 11 Days | ✅ Book it!
Why you should join this tour:
- Destinations list includes 7 National Parks, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and a tour of San Francisco
- Ultimate one-way small group transport to San Francisco
Cons of this tour:
- Only available June through September
Are you looking for a journey that takes you beyond the ordinary? Experience the adventure of a lifetime with this 11 Day Best of the West National Parks Tour, which runs through the entire Southwest expanse culminating in San Francisco.
This 11-day tour is ideal for adventurous travelers who want to explore more than just Death Valley. Begin the journey by hiking through Utah’s amazing national parks Zion, Bryce, Arches, and Canyonlands. Then marvel at the depths of the North Arizona’s Grand Canyon before wandering through the vibrant colors of Antelope Canyon in Page and having a jeep tour through Monument Valley.
The second half of the trip traverses through Death Valley and Yosemite before ending in a San Francisco city tour.
This adventure-packed tour offers a variety of activities, such as hiking in numerous national parks, touring landmarks, and immersing in the atmosphere of the Wild West.
AMAZING TOUR- CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS COMPANY. Super speedy replies to questions, great itinerary, great guide. This tour was a highlight of all of our world travels over the years.
– (Read more reviews)
Accommodation choices, either campgrounds with hot showers and WiFi or 3-star hotels, include meals, park admissions, and a professional guide. And for those who want a fully private tour opt for this option by purchasing six seats. This tour is available from June to September.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a great starting point for a tour of the Southwest, and there are plenty of great places to stay with all budgets in mind. Whether you’re looking for something luxurious or a decent place to rest your head before hitting the road, you can be sure you’ll have no trouble finding accommodation in Las Vegas.
MOST ICONIC RESORT ON THE STRIP – The Bellagio Resort and Casino
Located right in the heart of Vegas on the iconic Strip, booking the Bellagio means staying at some of the most luxurious accommodations around. And that’s saying a lot for Las Vegas. Its lavish rooms have everything you could want or need. Plus, the hotel boasts excellent facilities like an outdoor pool with its own fountain show, gourmet restaurants and bars, and easy access to the best shopping malls in the city.
MID-RANGE WITH GLORIOUS POOL – Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elara Center Strip
The Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elara Center Strip offers visitors access to the world-class entertainment, dining, nightlife, and more that Las Vegas is famous for, all without having to go far. The hotel itself has stylish guest rooms with comfortable amenities. But the biggest eyecatcher? It’s huge outdoor pool!
FAQs About Death Valley Guided Tours
During a guided tour of Death Valley from Las Vegas, you can expect to see some of the park’s most popular attractions, such as Badwater Basin, Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, and the Devils Golf Course, all while learning about the unique geological features of the park.
Most Death Valley guided tours from Las Vegas provide transport in modern, air-conditioned 14-passenger tour buses, SUVs, or minivans.
While a 4×4 can come in handy for some of the park’s more remote areas, it’s unnecessary for most visitors. The park’s main roads are paved and accessible by all types of vehicles. However, be sure to check current road conditions and plan accordingly.
You should bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, and plenty of water while on your Death Valley guided tour.
Most Death Valley guided tours from Las Vegas have no age or fitness restrictions, but they may include moderate hiking or walking, so check with your tour provider before booking.
Most Death Valley guided tours from Las Vegas include meals, park admissions, and an experienced guide. However, it is best to check with your tour provider.
It’s best to avoid Death Valley during the hottest months of the year, from June to August, when temperatures can exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also important to check the weather forecast before you go, as flash floods can occur during the rainy season.
The best time to visit Death Valley is during the fall or winter months, from October to April, when temperatures are more pleasant, and you’re not dying of heat outside.
Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times for hiking and sightseeing when temperatures are cooler, and the light is ideal for photography. However, if you want to stargaze or experience the park’s famous night skies, after dark is the best time.
The amount of time you should spend in Death Valley depends on your interests and itinerary. I personally recommend at least one overnight to see all the attractions and have time to hike moderate trails. However, if you’re short on time, you can still see many of the park’s highlights in a day trip.
The entrance fee for Death Valley National Park is $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass. However, there are also options for annual passes and special passes for seniors and other groups.
Final Thoughts: Best Las Vegas to Death Valley Tour
I’m biased since my favorite terrain is the desert, and Death Valley certainly helped sway my opinion on that fact. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to the park, the sunset views at Zabriskie Point to the panoramas of Dante’s view never cease to amaze.
In case you’ve just scrolled to the end:
- To choose the best Las Vegas to Death Valley Tour with stargazing included, join this tour from Las Vegas.
- To go on a private day-tour of Death Valley, book here.
- For the ultimate 11 day trip to see the best of Southwest USA and the national parks, book this one.
No matter which tour you choose, Death Valley is a bucket list delight that I hope you will enjoy as much as I did! Afterward, consider checking out some other Las Vegas tours, such as visiting the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, or taking a local food tour.
| TRAVEL RESOURCES |
| ✈️ Find the best tours and activities with Viator to cross off your bucket list and create unforgettable memories 🏘️ Book your accommodation with Booking.com in advance and check availability on the days of your travels. 🧾 Rent a car in advance with Discovercars for those epic road trips at the best price. |
Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.