1 Day in Death Valley – A Las Vegas to Death Valley Day Trip

Death Valley isn’t one of those National Parks that is high up on the travel list of every American, but I think should be. Recent times have begun shifting that assessment, and if you are traveling to Las Vegas, you may have considered adding some time in the park to your trip. A Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip is a perfect escape from the strip, and it is quite easy to get from Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park. A Death Valley day trip, or a Death Valley scenic drive, can be fun and adventurous, beautiful, and educational, all at once.

But really, why should you go? Because Death Valley is one of those special places in the world that has well more than its share of special and distinct sights.  Not only is it unique in the United States, it is unique in the world.  Yes, it is a US National Park, but it is also an International Biosphere Preserve, and an International Dark Sky Park.  There is no way to bypass an area with such worldwide recognition in our books!

When our German friend Lena visited, it was important for us to take her to environments she would never see near home.  After narrowing down the options, Las Vegas and Death Valley were both in order! There is no where else quite like Vegas, and as we have already noted, there is no where else quite like Death Valley either.  Both should be bucket list places.  (If we would have had more time we would have taken her to several other National Parks that should be on every bucket list!)

By the way, November to March is the best time to go to Death Valley, for normal visitors.  This is when you will be met by comfortable day time temperatures!

If you want to know some in-depth information about Death Valley National Park, or if you are planning to stay a bit longer and want some off the beaten path things to do in Death Valley, be sure to read our accompanying articles, Death Valley Facts, and 20 Ultra Cool Things to do in Death Valley.  We promise you will have to search far and wide to find all of these things together in one place!

But, if you just have one day in Death Valley, this guide will hit all the key spots and get you back to Vegas in time for bed.

Getting from Las Vegas to Death Valley

There are a couple of ways to make a trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley.  Several tour companies offer a day trip to Death Valley, and this is a great option for those who do not wish to drive.  Some tours only visit key stops in the park, and some refreshment stops, while others go through some of the nearby ghost towns. 

If you have never done a group tour, they do have an appeal, as they take all of the work and worry out of the travel, and ensure that you get to a certain number of key locations without getting lost.  A tour will also give you a lot of information about places you pass and stops that you make.  The downside though, is that you will be with a group of people you never met for the entire day.  It could be good, it could be bad.

By the way, you can make arrangements for your tour right here!

For those who love the highway, renting a car and planning your own route is the best option. This allows you to select your own time frames and stops, and keeps you in the company of only those you have chosen to be with.  You may not have all of the insider information that a tour guide would provide, but we hope to fill in that gap! Also pick up the literature at the visitors center, and read all of the educational signs at the stops.

You can save 10% off of your car rental in Las Vegas right here, right now!

Make sure and leave bright and early, or dark and early, so you can make the most of your Death Valley Day Trip, as the drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley takes about an hour and 40 minutes each way. There is a lot to see, and one day just gets the key sites in

If you love the feeling of the open highway, the route from Vegas to Death Valley certainly has some iconic stretches of highway through the Mojave Desert.

Our Route From Las Vegas to Death Valley

Take Interstate 95 out of Las Vegas, which is the fastest travel, and turn west on highway 373 at Armagosa Valley. You can’t miss the turn here as there are two rather touristy stops at the junction.

We chose the Area 51 Alien Center to use the facilities and grab fresh drinks. As you can see from the photos, it is possible to find many kinds of rejuvenation here!

Highway 373 is straight and flat, and finally you come to the sign for highway 190 and Death Valley National Park. If you are interested in stopping at the Amargosa Opera House, a rather odd desert curiosity, it is just past the junction, otherwise, turn right onto 190, also known as Death Valley Road. This will take you directly into the park, and to our first stop.

One Day in Death Valley – Essential Stops

The Death Valley National Park Sign

Some people drive right past the National Park signs, and for others they are an essential stop on their trip, a necessary social media post to prove their presence. We skipped the sign at Death Valley, which I thought nothing of at the moment, but later I wondered why we didn’t stop for a photo.

Death Valley is a huge park, and you may think you missed the sign as it feels like you keep descending into the valley on and on. You’ll find it about 16.5 miles after making the turn onto Death Valley Road. There is plenty of room to pull off, so you should have no trouble getting your post shot if you want.

Dante’s View – Optional Stop

Just a mile and a half past the park sign is the left side turnoff onto Furnace Creek Wash Road. Most visitors with only a day in Death Valley drive past this road, but it leads to one of the most unique locations in all of Death Valley National Park, Dante’s View. In a park overflowing with unusual and one of a kind locations, Dante’s View still stands out among them. It offers a peak top view down over the valley and the expanse of Badwater Basin, which we will visit later. If you are a Star Wars fan, you may recognize this view as that which Obi Wan Kenobi introduced to Luke Skywalker as they journeyed to Mos Eisley.

The drive to Dante’s is just over 13 miles one way, taking about 20 minutes. Even spending only 15 minutes at the summit to enjoy the view will add an hour to your Death Valley day trip itinerary. Many visitors are not aware of the view point and it’s unique beauty, but others choose to pass it by to ensure sufficient time for other stops they deem more essential. If you began your drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley early enough to be at the turnoff by 9 in the morning, I believe a trip up the mountain is a must. If you arrive later than that, you may want to work out the timing to decide if making this jaunt will require you to miss a different stop, and if that trade is acceptable.

Zabriskie Point

The first major stop in the park, one where everyone stops, is Zabriskie Point.  It may have seemed as if you were the only one in the park prior to pulling into the Zabriskie parking area, and suddenly you will feel surrounded by people. There is a good-sized parking lot, but it can get full during peak times, and there are toilet facilities. The walk way to the viewing point is accessible, although it is a fairly steep incline.  

At the top you will find yourself looking out over rolling badlands, striated a brilliant gold. Contrary to common American knowledge, badlands are not limited to South Dakota. Badlands are a barren landscape of hills, gullies and ravines, composed of extensively eroded sedimentary rocks, with a high drainage density. While that may sound entirely un-thrilling, badlands are typically places of stark beauty, which is unquestionably the case at Zabriskie.

The bold colors of badlands are a result of the particular minerals in the surface rock. The hills of Zabriskie are packed with borates and gypsum, resulting in all shades of brown, yellow and gold. It is hard to imagine this beautiful place crowded with workers, tents, and industrial equipment, but it was once the center of hugely profitable borax mining operations.  Borax was once the primary ingredient of many laundry detergents, and is still the foundation of many cleaning products. Although the mines have long since closed, it is still possible to buy 20 Mule Team Borax.

Around the viewing area at Zabriskie, there are some informational signs about borax mining, the other minerals in the earth that cause the brilliant colors, and the history of the badlands.  It is a great first stop, as it lets you know right away that your Death Valley scenic drive is going to be something special. We enjoyed our time trying to get every aspect of the view!

Furnace Creek

Continue on 190 until you arrive at Furnace Creek.  This is where you will find the National Park Service visitors center and pay your admission fee, which is a by vehicle charge.  Free maps of the park are available, and rangers are on duty to answer questions and give advice. During the winter months you can also check the schedule for ranger led field activities. You can also see the current temperature. It will be several degrees warmer as you descend in elevation!

If you have children, pick up the Junior Ranger program guide, which will give your child several fun activities, and the opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger badge. I am a huge advocate of the Junior Ranger program, as well as NPS Visitor Center exhibits, which help visitors of all ages understand why the park is important. Even on a Death Valley day trip, many of the activities can be completed.

Furnace Creek is the biggest town within the park, and there are a few other attractions.  The Borax Museum is quite popular, with its fascinating mining relics. Further down the Highway 190 there is an access road on the left leading to the Harmony Borax Works, where their processing plant once stood.  A 20 mule team wagon still sits in the yard, and there is an interpretive trail describing the work previously performed.

Yet further down 190 on the right side is the Death Valley History Association.  There are some exhibits, and educational materials at the center and they offer guided tours through some areas of the park during winter months.

Furnace Creek also has amenities.  There is a service station, a small general store, and some restaurants. If you would like to spend a night, it is the most popular option, and has a couple campgrounds, an inn and two resorts.   There is also a golf course, known for being the lowest altitude golf course in the western hemisphere, and jeep rentals for those who would like to do some four-wheeling in the park.

After wrapping up in Furnace Creek, continue north on Highway 190 for another 13 miles.  

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail

After you pass Beatty Junction, you will see the sign for Salt Creek. You may be surprised to find that a creek is one of the most important attractions along the Death Valley scenic drive! The next left will be the access road, which will lead to the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail. The entire trail is raised boardwalk, and is entirely accessible.

This trail is quite a wonder, leading along a small wetlands area. I would never have imagined an area of wetlands lying anywhere near the valley, but it is there and it is quite a distinct ecosystem. Portions of the creek dry up in hotter months, but there is always water near the end of the trail. There are educational signs along the route explaining the unique biology of these wetlands in the midst of the desert. Once at the headwaters, those with keen eyes may spot the Salt Creek Pupfish, which does not live anywhere else on the planet.

Devil’s Cornfield

A couple miles further and the road will make a sharp curve to the left, and pass Scotty’s Castle Road.  The castle has long been closed due to flash flood damage, and has been inaccessible.  (Finally in 2022 it began reopening on a very limited basis, and that may inspire you to spend more than one day in Death Valley.) Just past the road, be attentive as you proceed because suddenly you will see a small area where the highway appears to have a very wide shoulder.  This is actually the parking area for the Devil’s Cornfield.  There are no signs.

Like several sites on your Death Valley day trip, Devil’s Cornfield is pretty unusual.  Clearly this is not corn growing, but at some point it was deemed that at a distance they looked like cornstalks bound together for an autumn decoration. The plants are actually an evergreen shrub commonly referred to as Arroweed, with stalks once used by Native Americans to make arrows. It is worth a stop here for photos and to wonder how exactly these formations occur. Of course there is a scientific explanation, but that takes the fun out of it.

Mesquite Sand Dunes

After departing the Devil’s Cornfield, the highway will curve again to the left.  The next right hand turn leads to the parking area for the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.  The Mesquite Dunes are not the largest in the park, but they are the easiest to access, being just adjacent to the Death Valley scenic drive. The dunes rise to abut 100 feet high, and spread over a broad expanse, giving the feeling of really being in the desert.

Taking a short walk out onto the sand leaves the creosote bushes and mesquite branches behind, and soon it is nothing but open sand.  There is no actual trail here, as the sands are constantly shifting with the winds. This is another of the spots director George Lucas chose to create the landscape of Tatooine for the original Star Wars movies.

Mosaic Canyon

If you are interested in a slot canyon hike, (think Antelope Canyon) there are several in Death Valley.  The road leading to Grotto Canyon is on the left shortly before the parking area for Mesquite Sand Dunes.  It is a very challenging hike, requiring a significant amount of climbing.  We already passed it by in preference of the easier Mosaic Canyon. The road leading to Mosaic Canyon hike is just past the small “town” of Stovepipe Wells, on the left hand side.

Mosaic is known for its narrow walkways and polished smooth walls, with intermittent exposed breccia, creating the mosaic appearance for which it is named.  The smooth rock is caused by the raging waters of flash floods. 

If you have time for one hike during your Death Valley day trip, this would be my choice. The trail is about 3 and a half miles out and back, and is moderate to difficult. Good footwear is essential, as there are some sections of scrambling. You can expect the trail to take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.

It is extremely critical that you do not enter a slot canyon when it appears there could be rain, as it can be life threatening. 

Stovepipe Wells

Back on Highway 190, Stovepipe Wells is a convenient stop if refreshments are needed.  There is a gas station, general store, and a saloon, as well as a smaller National Park Service Ranger Station if any questions have come up.  This is also where we recommend turning around for those who only have one day in Death Valley.

Once you are heading in the other direction, drive the 27 miles back to Furnace Creek.  Shortly past town near The Inn at Death Valley, you will find the turn off for Badwater Road.  This is way to some of the most famous sites on the Death Valley scenic drive.

Badwater Road

As you begin driving down Badwater Road, you will notice the gleam off to the right.  At first glance, it often appears to be water, until you realize that doesn’t make any sense in the driest place on the earth.  In reality, that is the beginning of the salt flats.  You can’t get to them yet, but they will shine brightly all along your way down the road.

On the left hand side of the road there will be a couple of access roads and a trail head for some more canyon hikes.  These canyons are different, and not as narrow as the slot canyons.  The first access road will be to Breakfast Canyon.

Shortly after that you will find the marker for the trail head to Golden Canyon.  There is a small parking area on the left.   Golden Canyon is a very popular beginner’s hike, leading along the backside of the badlands seen at Zabriskie Point. It is named because of the brilliant yellow color of the stone.

Lastly, there will be another access road for Desolation Canyon, which is unpaved, but generally passable for regular vehicles.  There is a parking area at the end of the road.  The trail is relatively uneventful for the first mile, then there are two dry waterfalls within quick succession. The only way to proceed further along the trail is to climb the waterfalls.  If you can do this you will be rewarded with a narrower canyon filled with pastel colored walls caused by oxidizing minerals, and at the end of the trail an overhead view down onto Artists Drive, and across to the salt flats.

Artist’s Palette

Back on Badwater Road we will finally come to Artist’s Drive and the world-famous Artist’s Palette, one of the most popular stops on the Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip.   People around the world have seen photos of the pastel rocks in this part of the Death Valley scenic drive, and been a bit awed. 

Artist’s Drive is a one way loop, with the exit coming on the left first, with the entrance a few miles further down Badwater Road. It is 9 miles long, and portions of it will be quite twisted, and narrow.  You will not encounter that immediately, but maintain a reasonable speed, and be prepared.  It is likely there will be some traffic as well, as this is a very popular route.

There are two primary stops along Artist’s Drive.  The first has a good-sized parking area, and requires a bit of a scramble to get to the prime viewing areas.  The ground is rough, and it can be challenging, but if you can make it, the view at the top is worth the effort.

The second stop has a much smaller parking area, and the site is also smaller, but the colors are much more intense, and quite dramatic.  The climb at the second stop is much shorter, although it is steeper for a few steps.   The colorful views are caused by the oxidation of exposed minerals.

This was one of our favorite places in Death Valley, for the stunning views and amazing colors. We took so many photos!

Devil’s Golf Course

After coming off of Artist’s Drive, and back onto Badwater Road, the next road on the right will be Salt Pool Road.  This leads to a parking area for the Devil’s Golf Course.  This is another popular stop for those with one day in Death Valley.  The name is said to be because the ground is so rough that even the devil himself could not play golf there. 

It is a rather strange landscape, with the mounded earth crusted over with sand.  You can walk out onto the surface, but it is challenging.  The surface makes some strange popping noises, making it feel kind of wrong, perhaps a bit risky, to walk on it!  Also, if you do venture a bit, be cautious as there are occasional openings in the ground with exposed salt pools beneath.

Natural Bridge

Moving further along Badwater Road on the left, will be Natural Bridge Road, which lead to the trail head to see Death Valley’s most popular natural bridge.  The road in is pretty much dirt road, but it is completely passable to the parking lot. The Natural Bridge Trail is short hike totaling about 1.5 miles out and back, with very little elevation gain, ending at a dried waterfall. The bridge is about halfway down the trail. The bridge is impressive, and offers photo opportunities with an interesting play of light.

Badwater Basin

Finally you will come to the parks most famous location, Badwater Basin.  Funny enough, many people do not know that name until their visit to Death Valley.  They just know that it is the lowest elevation in North America, the hottest and driest place on earth.  It is THE place you have to see if on your Death Valley day trip  Often the first done upon arriving at Badwater Basin is getting a photo with the sign.  We admit it.  It is the first thing we did too.

Then, when you start looking around, you start finding all of the unique features.  On the mountains across the road, you see the sign indicating where sea level actually is.  You also see the small, never drying pool of high concentration salt water at the very lowest point.  You see the salt flats stretched out before you, widening and curving off to the right.  And, you see snow-capped peaks on the other side!

We read all of the informational signs which cover several topics, including: why it is called Badwater- because the water in not potable with its extremely high mineral content, and it never dries up; salt flats and low elevations places around the world- yes there are several of them, encompassing almost every continent; and dry heat.

Then we took a walk out onto the salt flats.   Although much shorter than a hike, a walk on the salt flats is an essential aspect of a Death Valley scenic drive. It is rather surreal to be standing out on the floor of the gleaming salt basin, and you can walk as far as you would like. It broadens into a much larger surface area after the curve. You’ll see people feeling it with bare feet, tasting it and taking hundreds of photos.  We couldn’t help ourselves!  If we would have had our wits about us we would have gotten further away from the other visitors, and tried some trick photography!

Ashford Mill

After departing Badwater Basin, continue down Badwater Road in the same direction.  There is one more stop within the park in this direction, which is Ashford Mills Ruins.  The remains of a once thriving mill stand here, deteriorating as time passes.  If you get out and explore a bit, there are some interesting pieces that cause wonder.  But for us, we made a quick in and out stop here, and kept moving. We were worn out from the climbing and hiking, and the sunlight was descending.

Our Route Through Death Valley National Park

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What I think of as the Death Valley scenic route is actually quite simple. Once you are actually in the park, the basic route consists of only one turn around, and one turn.

Shoshone, California

Afterwards, we chose to turn left on Jubilee Pass Road, highway 178, to get to the small town of Shoshone.  Route 178 is the better road, so if it is getting darker, we recommend using this route for your trip back to Vegas, whether you are planning to stop at Shoshone or not.

Shoshone is a charming but tiny town which refers to itself as the Gateway to Death Valley, or in our case, the gateway FROM Death Valley, as we found it the perfect end to our Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip!  There is a gas station and general store, as well as a Post Office, and a quaint outdoor relaxing area between the businesses.  

On the other side of the highway, you find the Shoshone Museum, with indoor and outdoor displays about the history of the once thriving town, and the Crowbar Saloon.  The museum was closed at the hour we arrived, but we were able to explore all of the outdoor exhibits, which include an old service station, and a 1937 Chevrolet, as well as some mining tools, mineral samples, and a number of other implements. Then we relaxed at the Crowbar. The service was stretched a bit thin, but the food was excellent!

We definitely want to spend more time in little Shoshone.  There is a wetlands reserve behind the town where numerous species of waterfowl make their home, with walking trails to observe.  There is also said to be an area where another unique species of pupfish lives. And of course, I want to see what is inside the museum!  Next time we make the drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley, we may come the opposite way to have more time in the town.

Our Route from Death Valley Back to Vegas

Safety Tips for your Death Valley Day Trip

• Ensure your vehicle and tires are in good repair.  Although there is some traffic, it is not unthinkable that it could be hours on the side of the road if something were to occur.
• Start with a full tank of gas.  Yes, it may seem redundant, but stations are few and far between, and prices are high.  More than one person has been known to get lost in the park, and run out of fuel.
• Carry along water, even in cooler weather.  At least a gallon per person is recommended if you are planning any type of outdoor exploration.  If it is hot, or hiking is planned, carry along more. As with fuel, potable water sources are far apart.  
• Take along layers and plenty of items for warmth if you are spending a night, or expect your trip to stretch into the evening hours.  The desert really does get cold at night, and it is known to dip below freezing in some areas. In fact freezing is the cause of the mysterious sailing stones at Racetrack Playa.

• Carry a hard copy map or download your Google map, and stay on the marked roads and paths.  Yes, it seems so old-fashioned, but it is well-known that very little signal gets down into the valley, and what does often goes haywire.  Better safe than sorry.  Do not rely upon gps, and do not rely upon being able to use your phone!
• The off-roads really do require a 4×4, and even they can be challenged in some areas.  Do not attempt these roads in a regular vehicle, and if you do take a 4 wheeler out into the wilderness, make sure your spare is in tact, and that you have repair tools on hand.
• Be mindful of your speed.  The roads may appear to stretch out forever before you, but they are known for sudden twists and turns.  The most common cause of injury in Death Valley National Park is single vehicle accidents.
• For more safety tips for your trip, be sure to check out the National Park Service website!

Ready for a Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas?

We know there are a ton of things to do in Las Vegas.  But after a couple days, everyone needs to escape from the glitz and the lights and get out into the fresh air.  Making a day trip from Las Vegas is a great way to do that, and the trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley is among the best!

Of course, if Death Valley isn’t up your alley, there are a TON of amazing day trip options from Las Vegas! You may prefer a Grand Canyon Experience, perhaps one with a flight over the canyon.  We can’t fault you for that!  It was our first choice too.  But, when another opportunity presented itself, Death Valley was the way to go.  We are thrilled we did it, and you will be too!

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