Death Valley: Sunset & Stargazing Tour from Las Vegas

Summary

Desert colors shift at sunset then stars fill the sky above death valley

You’ll watch desert colors change at Zabriskie Point and walk across salt flats at Badwater Basin before sunset paints Artist’s Palette in strange hues. After night falls, stargaze with your guide under Death Valley’s famously dark skies—just you, new friends, and more stars than you thought possible.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it got after we left Las Vegas — not silent, but a kind of hush that made every little sound stand out. Our guide, Chris, had this habit of pointing out things I’d never have noticed: the way the light hit the rocks at Zabriskie Point, or how you could see for miles from Dante’s View. He said something about Star Wars being filmed here, which made me laugh because honestly, it did look like another planet. The air felt dry and sharp in my nose — not uncomfortable, just different. We took a group photo by the Death Valley sign; I still have dust on my shoes from that spot.

Badwater Basin was next — it’s weird to think you’re standing lower than anywhere else in North America. There’s this old wooden sea level sign way up on the cliff that made me realize just how far down we were. The salt flats stretched out forever, all cracked and white under our feet. At Artist’s Palette, Chris handed me a rock (I didn’t take it, promise) and showed us how the colors changed as the sun started to drop. Pinkish one minute, greenish the next — I tried to get a photo but it never looks quite right on my phone.

I thought sunset would be the highlight but honestly, stargazing surprised me most. We waited about an hour and a half after sunset — enough time for everything to go really dark. Someone pointed out Saturn (I think?) and Chris used a laser pointer to trace constellations none of us could pronounce. It was chilly by then and someone shared a jacket with me while we lay back on the ground looking up at more stars than I’ve ever seen in my life. There was some laughter when someone mistook a plane for a shooting star — easy mistake out there.

I keep thinking about that silence between people talking, just lying there with strangers in the middle of nowhere while Las Vegas glowed somewhere far behind us. If you’re even half curious about Death Valley or want to see what “dark” really means… well, yeah.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Death Valley tour and stargazing

• Pickup from Las Vegas hotel
• Photo at Death Valley sign
• View from Dante’s View overlook
• Visit Badwater Basin salt flats
• Explore Artist’s Palette colorful hills
• Walk to Zabriskie Point sunset view
• Stargazing under dark desert skies
• Rest stop in Pahrump
• Return to Las Vegas

Top questions

How long is the Death Valley sunset & stargazing tour from Las Vegas?

The tour returns between 10pm and 1am depending on conditions; expect a full afternoon into late night experience.

Is hotel pickup included for this Death Valley day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off on the Las Vegas Strip are included.

What landmarks are visited during this tour?

You’ll visit Dante’s View, Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, and Zabriskie Point.

When does stargazing happen during the tour?

Stargazing starts about 1 hour and 30 minutes after sunset for best visibility.

Are meals or snacks provided on this tour?

No meals are provided; bottled water is included but bring your own snacks if needed.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular problems; only people under 70 years old can participate.

What happens if roads are closed in Death Valley?

If roads are closed due to natural disasters or other reasons, an alternative location will be visited instead.

Can I bring my service dog on this tour?

No, service dogs cannot be accommodated on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Las Vegas Strip hotels, all entry fees to sites like Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin, bottled water throughout the journey, plus guidance from a professional local guide who leads both sunset stops and stargazing before heading back late at night.