Death Valley: Small-Group Day Trip from Las Vegas with Lunch

Summary

Las Vegas to Death Valley in one wild, sunbaked day—lunch, stories, colors you won’t forget

You’ll stand on salt flats below sea level at Badwater Basin, feel real desert silence at Zabriskie Point, and see wild colors at Artist’s Palette—all with a local guide who keeps things real (and safe). Includes hotel pickup from Las Vegas, lunch options for everyone, and plenty of water so you can focus on soaking up one of Earth’s strangest landscapes.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the silence at Zabriskie Point. Not just quiet—actual silence, like someone pressed pause on the world. Our guide (Mark—he’s lived in Nevada his whole life) handed out cold water and pointed out the way the rocks folded like cake batter. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t catch half the weird gold and pink light bouncing around. The air smelled dry, almost metallic. I remember thinking: so this is what “nowhere” feels like.

We stopped at Badwater Basin next—the lowest point in North America. There’s this sign way up on the mountain showing where sea level is, and you’re just standing there 282 feet below it on crunchy salt flats that crack under your shoes. Mark told us about the record heat (I think he said 134°F once?) and made sure we kept drinking water. I’d packed sunscreen but still felt my skin tightening up by noon. Lunch was simple—a boxed sandwich (I went for turkey), eaten in whatever shade we could find near the visitor center, swapping stories with a couple from Toronto who’d never seen desert before.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much at Devil’s Golf Course—those salt formations look like something from another planet and sound hollow when you tap them with your shoe (don’t try to walk too far; I almost lost my balance). Artist’s Palette was all pastel stripes and weird colors; Mark explained how minerals painted the hills, but honestly it looked more like someone had gone wild with sidewalk chalk after too much coffee. The wind picked up a little there and carried this strange earthy smell—I liked it.

By the time we wound back through Twenty Mule Team Canyon (the van rattled over every bump), I was sun-tired in that good way you get after a long day outside. We stopped for snacks in Pahrump before heading back to Vegas—everyone a bit quieter now, watching the Mojave slide past in late afternoon light. It’s not an easy place, Death Valley, but it sticks with you longer than most places do.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Death Valley National Park full-day tour

• Meet guide at Las Vegas hotel
• Drive to Death Valley National Park
• Photo stop at welcome sign
• Visit Zabriskie Point viewpoint
• Explore 20 Mule Team Canyon views
• Visit Dante’s View terrace
• See Artist’s Palette colorful landscape
• Lunch and visit visitor center exhibits
• Explore Badwater Basin salt flats
• Visit Devil’s Golf Course salt formations
• Comfort stop in Pahrump
• Return to Las Vegas

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley?

The tour lasts about 10 hours including pickup and drop-off.

Is lunch included on this Death Valley day trip?

Yes, a boxed lunch is provided with options for turkey, roast beef or vegetarian sandwiches.

What are the main stops on this Death Valley tour?

You’ll visit Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Devil’s Golf Course, Artist’s Palette and Twenty Mule Team Canyon.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Las Vegas?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for most major hotels along The Strip.

How hot does it get in Death Valley during summer?

Temperatures can exceed 115°F (45°C) between June and September—plenty of water is provided.

Is this small-group tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 7 years old; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Can I choose my lunch option ahead of time?

You can select turkey, roast beef or vegetarian when booking; if not specified you’ll get vegetarian by default.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 13 people per tour for a small-group experience.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Las Vegas, air-conditioned transport across the Mojave Desert, all entry fees for Death Valley attractions like Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin, bottled water throughout (seriously needed), live commentary from your professional guide in English—and a boxed lunch with your choice of sandwich before heading back as sunset creeps over the desert hills.