Death Valley National Park Driving Tour

Estimated Time

Distance

Works Offline

Tours & Maps Included

Tour Highlights

Badwater Basin

Stand at the lowest point in North America, 282 feet below sea level, and watch hexagonal salt polygons form beneath your feet.

Zabriskie Point

Watch sunrise or sunset over golden badlands carved from a 9-million-year-old ancient lake bed.

Artist's Drive

Drive a one-way canyon where minerals paint the hills in reds, pinks, yellows, and greens.

Harmony Borax Works

Walk a free quarter-mile boardwalk loop where twenty-mule teams once hauled 20 million pounds of borax across 165 miles of desert.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Wander golden dunes rising from the valley floor, one of the most photographed spots in the park.

Marta Becket Monument and Amargosa Opera House

Discover the story of a New York ballerina who got a flat tire, peeked through a keyhole, and stayed fifty years to paint her own audience on the walls.

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail

A free, wheelchair-accessible half-mile boardwalk best visited February through May to see the rare Death Valley pupfish.

Scotty's Castle

Tour a Spanish-style desert mansion built on a con man's friendship with a Chicago millionaire, with limited ranger-guided tours by reservation.

Is This Tour Right for You?

Perfect if you:

Love history and fascinating stories

What To explore at your own pace

prefer a private experience

What to avoid expensive group tours

Maybe not if you:

Don't have a phone

Like to follow the tour guide

Don't like stories

Don't like to go at your own pace

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive through Death Valley?

Without stopping, the route takes about two and a half hours, but most visitors spend a full day or more exploring the overlooks, trails, and historic sites along the way.

Does this tour work offline?

Yes. Download the tour before you go and it works completely offline, with GPS-triggered narration and no data connection required.

What is the entrance fee for Death Valley?

The entrance fee is thirty dollars per vehicle for a seven-day pass, or fifty-five dollars for an annual pass, paid separately from the tour at a self-serve pay station.

Is this tour good for kids?

Yes, with planning. Badwater Basin, the sand dunes, and the Borax Museum are popular with families, though extreme heat means trips should be timed for cooler months.

How much driving is involved?

The full route covers roughly 100 miles one way through the park, following Highway 190 and connecting roads.

When is the best time to visit Death Valley?

October through April offers safe, comfortable temperatures. Summer regularly exceeds 120 degrees and poses serious safety risks, so this tour is best avoided in peak summer.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts near the Amargosa Opera House and ends at the Death Valley National Park sign, covering the park's most iconic stops along the way.

Do I need a reservation for Scotty's Castle?

Yes. Limited ranger-guided tours have resumed after years of closure, and reservations sell out fast in season. The tour shares the story as you pass, even if you don't stop.

Can I pause the tour to explore the trails and overlooks?

Yes. The tour is designed to pause naturally at each stop so you can hike, take photos, or explore before continuing.

What is Death Valley best known for?

Death Valley is known as the hottest, lowest, and driest place in North America, home to Badwater Basin, golden badlands, and a wild mining history built on borax.