Death Valley from Las Vegas: Badwater Basin & Artist's Palette

Stand at North America's lowest point, then hike salt spires shaped like a devil's golf course.

You get hotel pickup, park entry, a guided route through five major stops, and lunch included, so the only thing you arrange is showing up. Expect a full day out, roughly eight to ten hours depending on traffic and how long you linger at each viewpoint. The vehicle is a custom Tour Trekker, which means you're not crammed in a van but also not alone with a private driver.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Devils Golf Course45m
2. Badwater Basin20m
3. Artist’s Palette30m
4. Death Valley National Park20m
5. Twenty Mule Team Canyonpassing by

Explore Death Valley highlights

• Stop in Pahrump for break
• Visit Dante’s View overlook
• Explore Furnace Creek Visitor Center
• Walk Harmony Borax Works trail
• Eat boxed lunch en route
• Walk Devil’s Golf Course salt flats
• Visit Badwater Basin saltpans
• See colorful hills at Artists Palette
• Rest at Oasis in Death Valley
• Drive through 20 Mule Team Canyon
• Stop at Death Valley Marketplace

The experience

You're staying in Las Vegas with a free day, and Death Valley keeps crossing your mind, but the drive is long, the park is massive, and you're not sure where to start. This tour handles the pickup from your hotel, the park entry fee, and the route itself, so you just show up and get in the vehicle. The guide navigates the stops and explains what you're looking at as the landscape shifts from one impossible color to the next.

The day starts with a stop in Pahrump to stretch and grab coffee, then climbs toward Dante's View, perched over 5,500 feet above the valley floor. From there, the scale of Death Valley National Park hits you: Badwater Basin spreads below, the lowest point in North America, and the salt flats catch the light in a way that photographs never quite capture. You'll walk the boardwalk at Badwater itself, where the salt pans are bright enough to need sunglasses, then move on to Devil's Golf Course, where jagged salt spires jut up from the ground like something from another planet. Your boxed lunch (sandwich, chips, and a gluten-free option if you need it) happens somewhere in this stretch, so you're eating while taking in the view rather than sitting in a restaurant parking lot.

Artist's Palette comes next: mineral-stained hills that actually do look like someone mixed paint across them, reds and purples and yellows layered into the rock. The Harmony Borax Works, a short walk on a paved trail, shows you the remains of the mining operation that once pulled "white gold" out of this desert, with the original twenty-mule team wagons still there. Twenty Mule Team Canyon, the final stop, is an off-road drive through badlands and old movie locations, and by then you've seen enough of Death Valley to understand why people either love it or find it unsettling. The whole tour wraps by evening, and you're back at your Las Vegas hotel with water bottles and stories.

What’s included

Round-trip hotel pickup from Las Vegas, entry to Death Valley National Park, a fully guided tour with a knowledgeable guide, boxed lunch with sandwich and chips (gluten-free available), and bottled water throughout the day. The vehicle is a custom Tour Trekker designed for comfort and visibility on the park roads.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 50 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pink Jeep Tours Las Vegas

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Las Vegas without a rental car who want to see Death Valley's major highlights in one day without planning the route or timing themselves. Expect a full day out. The length is what makes it possible to hit Badwater, Artist's Palette, and Twenty Mule Team Canyon without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour?

Roughly eight to ten hours total, including the drive from Las Vegas, all stops, and the return to your hotel.

What's included in the boxed lunch?

A sandwich of your choice, potato chips, and bottled water. Gluten-free options are available if you request ahead.

Do I need to book park entry separately?

No. Death Valley National Park entry is included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup really included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels is part of the package.

Can I do this tour if I have mobility issues?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and most stops have short walks or boardwalks. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries due to the vehicle movement and terrain.

What should I bring?

Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. Bottled water is provided, but the sun and salt flats are intense.

Is there a minimum age?

Children as young as three can join. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with a baby.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed on the tour.

What if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Most stops involve short walks on paved trails or boardwalks, not strenuous hiking.

Will we stop for restrooms?

Yes. There are breaks at Pahrump on the way out, at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, and at the Oasis at Death Valley during the tour.