9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (2024)

Death Valley, The Southwest

  • Posted by 9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (1) Ria Borja
9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (2)

24 Aug

If you’re searching for an excursion beyond the limits of Las Vegas but don’t have the time to journey to the Grand Canyon, don’t despair. Between the Valley of Fire to east, Red Rock Canyon to the north, and Death Valley to the west, there is no shortage of nearby places to visit from Las Vegas.

We’ve already covered why you should visit Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire. Next up: Death Valley.

Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the lower 48 states, covering an area of over 3,000 square miles. It’s also the lowest, driest, and hottest area in North America. Here are 9 reasons why you should visit Death Valley:

1. It's close to Las Vegas.

Located approximately 130 miles from Las Vegas, Death Valley is only about a 2 hour drive from the Strip. It may not be as close as nearby Red Rock Canyon (which you can actually see from the Strip), but its proximity to Sin City makes Death Valley an easy day trip, whether you‘re looking for a kid-friendly adventure or to escape the action of the Strip after a night on the town.

2. The geography

The oldest rocks in Death Valley are over 1.7 billion years old, but Death Valley as we see it today is comparatively young.

The region was formed about three million years ago through a geological process called “Basin and Range”, which occurs when the Earth’s crust stretches and develops faults to accommodate the extension. But basin and range processes occur a little differently in Death Valleybecause of the unique strike-slip faults that perpendicularly border the central extent of the region, the valleys formed by the basin and range process are wider and exhibit more “subsidence”. That means that the gradual sinking or caving in of the “basin” part of the process is more pronounced in Death Valley than anywhere else. This leads to some pretty cool formationskeep reading to learn more.

3. The range

Because of the unique development of the basin and range process in this area, Death Valley contains an extreme range of elevations and is home to a wide variety of different geological formations, including:

  • Salt flats: The area’s major salt pan covers an area larger than 200 square miles.
  • Sand dunes: The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the largest dune field in the park, containing crescent, linear, and star-shaped dunes.

FUN FACT: The sand dunes in Death Valley National Park have been used to film several iconic films, including Star Wars.

  • Mountains: The highest peak in Death Valley is Telescope Peak, which reaches over 11,000 feet above sea level. It’s also the tallest peak in the Panamint mountain range.
  • Badlands
  • Valleys
  • Canyons

4. The views

Thanks to the extreme range of elevations in Death Valley, the area is home to a variety of astounding viewpoints. Here are some highlights:

Badwater Basin

9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (3)

Located in the south end of the National Park, Badwater Basin is made up of almost pure table salt. It sits at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point of elevation in North America, and the second lowest point of elevation in the entire western hemisphere.

Devil's Golf Course

9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (4)

Put away your clubsthe Devil’s Golf Course isn’t actually a golf course. It’s a large area of rock salt that’s been slowly eroded by wind and rain to form jagged spires with a menacing serrated appearance so pronounced it’s said that only the devil could play golf on such rough links.

PRO TIP: Bend your ear to the ground—you’ll hear the sound of billions of tiny salt crystals bursting apart as they expand and contract in the heat.

Zabriskie Point

9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (5)

Zabriskie Point is the most famous viewpoint in Death Valley National Park. Overlooking the colorful badlands of Furnace Creek and beyond to the Panamint Mountains in the distance, this overlook is especially popular at sunrise and sunset.

Ubehebe Crater

9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (6)

This giant crater was caused by a volcanic eruption, and measures about half a mile wide and 400 feet deep. See Ubehebe Crater on our Death Valley Bus Tour.

01 Sep

Death Valley, The Southwest

Southwest Spotlight: 14 Breathtaking Death Valley Viewpoints

  • Posted by 9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (8) Ria Borja

Explore 14 popular viewpoints in Death Valley National Park, from Badwater Basin 282 feet below sea level to the peak of Zabriskie Point.

Continue reading

    5. The temperatures

    Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. In fact, it’s so hot that many calculations of the highest daily temperatures in the country omit it as a matter of course.

    HOTSTUFF: Death Valley holds the world record for the highest reliably recorded air temperatureon July 10, 1913, the mercury reached a whopping 134 degrees at Furnace Creek. According to the NOAA, it also earned the all-time high temperature record for any weather station in the world this July, with an average temperature of 108.1 degrees.

    The average winter temperature hangs around a balmy 65-76 degrees – perfect for people looking for a warm escape from their regular snowy climate. In the summer, however, average temperatures easily climb above 100 degrees, so be sure to pack extra water and wear appropriate clothing.

    Why so hot? Along with the area’s lack of surface water and low elevation, Death Valley’s extreme temperatures result from a climatological phenomenon called the “rainshadow effect”: As warm, moist air masses from the nearby Pacific Ocean are forced above the mountains that surround the valley, they lose moisture. The resulting dry air causes higher average temperatures and low precipitation levels.

    6. The wildlife and vegetation

    Death Valley is anything but dead. While some areas are generally devoid of life (such as salt pans and some of the lower slopes of the surrounding mountain ranges), other places where water is more abundant, like the higher mountain ranges, are home to thriving communities of wildlife and vegetation, including:

    • 51 species of mammal
    • 300 species of bird
    • 36 species of reptile
    • More than 1,000 species of plants, 23 of which are entirely unique to Death Valley

    18 Mar

    Death Valley, The Southwest

    3 Things You’ll Find in Death Valley That You Won’t Find Anywhere Else in the USA

    • Posted by 9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (10) Ria Borja

    Its unusual geologic profile, unique vegetation, and extreme climate make Death Valley one of the most intriguing places to visit in the country.

    Continue reading

      7. The wildflower bloom

      Every spring, cooler and wetter winter weather enables wildflowers to flourish throughout the park, even at Furnace Creek (the hottest part of the parkand the hottest part of the continent).

      The annual bloom peaks in March. If you’re planning to visit in the spring, call the park ahead of your visit so you can time your trip just right. The best place to view the bloom is in the south part of the park, around Badwater Basin towards Furnace Creek.

      8. The colors

      Artist’s Drive is a can’t-miss Death Valley experience. This scenic one-way 9 mile loop travels through multi-hued volcanic and sedimentary hills before passing by Artist’s Palette, where you’ll spot some of the most colorful formations.

      9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (11)

      What causes the colorful terrain? The bright hues you’ll see in this breathtaking spot are created by metals in the ground:

      • Red, pink, yellow: Created by iron oxide compounds
      • Green: Created by the decomposition of tuff-derived mica
      • Purple: Created by manganese

      9. The mystery

      Death Valley is home to one of the most captivating geological mysteries in the country. At Racetrack Playa, “sailing stones”some weighing more than 650lbsare followed long trails as though they’ve been pushed through the mud. There has been much speculation about how the stones move, but recent time lapse photography indicates that the movement results from floating ice. Most stones move once every two or three years, and their track will last about three or four years.

      Conclusion

      9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (12)

      Journey outside the limits of Las Vegas and explore Death Valley on our bus tour. See Badwater Basin, Furnace Creek, the Devil’s Golf Course, Ubehebe Crater, and more.

      VISIT DEATH VALLEY

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        9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours (2024)

        FAQs

        9 Reasons to Visit Death Valley Next Time You're in Las Vegas - Canyon Tours? ›

        Death Valley National Park is all about extremes. Famous for the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the world (a sizzling 134 degrees in July 1936) and as the driest spot in North America, from autumn into spring Death Valley is inviting to explore.

        What is the main reason that people go to Death Valley? ›

        Death Valley National Park is all about extremes. Famous for the highest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the world (a sizzling 134 degrees in July 1936) and as the driest spot in North America, from autumn into spring Death Valley is inviting to explore.

        How many days do you need to see Death Valley? ›

        One day in Death Valley is absolutely enough time to see many of the park's highlights. With two and three days, you can of course see a few more of the off the beaten path places and is ideal to cover pretty much all the park's best places to visit.

        Is Death Valley worth the drive from Las Vegas? ›

        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.

        What should you not miss in Death Valley? ›

        • 6 Must-See Death Valley Locations: Ultimate Guide. ...
        • 1 The Dunes in Death Valley. ...
        • 2 Artist's Drive / Artist's Palette. ...
        • 3 Badwater Salt Flats. ...
        • 4 Zabriskie Point. ...
        • 5 Dante's Viewpoint. ...
        • 6 Sidewinder Canyon.

        What makes Death Valley so special? ›

        Death Valley is a land of extremes as the hottest, driest, and lowest-elevation national park. Death Valley is the driest place in North America, with some areas receiving less than two inches of rain per year, and is the location of the highest temperature (134 °F on July 10, 1913) ever recorded in the United States.

        What is the best month to go to Death Valley? ›

        SPRING. It is the most popular time to visit Death Valley. Besides warm and sunny days, the possibility of spring wildflowers is a big attraction. If the previous winter brought rain, the desert can put on an impressive floral display, usually peaking in late March to early April.

        What do I need to know before going to Death Valley? ›

        Need to Know About Death Valley National Park
        • It's Enormous! ...
        • It's Located in California & Nevada. ...
        • How it Got its Name. ...
        • It's the Lowest Place in North America. ...
        • It's the Hottest Places in North America. ...
        • The Park Has Multiple Entrances. ...
        • It's a Fee Based Park. ...
        • Your Vehicle Should be in Tip Top Shape.
        Feb 16, 2024

        How do I prepare for Death Valley? ›

        Minimize time outside in heat. Do not hike after 10 am. Drink plenty of water. Travel prepared to survive; cell phones do not work in most of the park.

        Can I drive my car through Death Valley? ›

        Yes, but you must be prepared and use common sense. With an air conditioned vehicle you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Stay on paved roads in summer, and if your car breaks down, stay with it until help arrives.

        Why is it called Death Valley? ›

        A group of European-Americans, lost in the valley in 1849 while looking for a shortcut to the gold fields of California, gave this valley its grim name, even though only one of their group died there. Several short-lived boom towns sprang up during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to mine gold and silver.

        How much does Death Valley cost? ›

        Get an entrance pass
        PassPrice
        Standard Pass$15.00–$30.00
        Annual Pass$55.00
        America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)FREE–$80.00
        May 23, 2024

        What are some dangers in Death Valley? ›

        Flash Floods: Avoid canyons during rain storms and be prepared to move to higher ground. While driving, be alert for water running in washes and across road dips. Mine Hazards: Do not enter mine tunnels or shafts. Mines may be unstable, have hidden shafts, pockets of bad air, and poisonous gas.

        What clothes should I wear to Death Valley? ›

        NO COTTON for your active wear! It should all be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick Layer of clothing.

        Has Death Valley killed anyone? ›

        A seemingly ordinary hike in Death Valley National Park turned tragic on April 5th. A 66-year-old Gig Harbor, Washington man lost his life about a mile up the Mosaic Canyon Trail, apparently struck down by a sudden medical emergency.

        What attracts people to Death Valley National Park? ›

        Death Valley is a vast national park with over three million acres of designated wilderness and hundreds of miles of paved and backcountry roads. The park contains an amazing variety of terrain, historic sites, plants and animals for outdoor adventurers to explore.

        What is the main cause of death in Death Valley? ›

        The main cause of death in Death Valley: More people die in single-car accidents than by any other means. To avoid an accident, follow the speed limits, shift to a lower gear on steep downhill grades, and wear your seatbelt.

        What is the mystery of Death Valley? ›

        Located on the border of California and Nevada, Death Valley National Park was designated in 1933, and is home to one of the world's strangest phenomena: rocks that move along the desert ground with no gravitational cause. Known as "sailing stones," the rocks vary in size from a few ounces to hundreds of pounds.

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