Death Valley Hiking & Camping

Trip Length4 Days
Group Size4–10
Activity level
Starting from
$1,849 for REI Members
$2,049 for non-members
DeparturesFeb 2024-Nov 2024

Spend 4 days hiking and camping amidst the otherworldly beauty of Death Valley National Park.

You should be capable of hiking up to 10 miles (up to 6 hours) per day. The terrain can be rugged and may require some rock scrambling to negotiate.

To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 3 months prior to departure. Trip participants should be capable of hiking up to 10 miles with a 10-15 lbs. daypack, over terrain that incorporates elevation gains and losses of up to 2,000', for consecutive days without major discomfort. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, paddling, cycling and/or swimming.

Take a sunset stroll on the golden Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Trip Highlights

  • Hike in Death Valley National Park, a remarkably varied desert landscape
  • Visit Dante’s View, Badwater, Devil’s Golf Course and more
  • Hike through the colorful badlands of Golden Canyon
  • Spend three nights camping under starry desert skies
  • Explore exotic terrain unlike anywhere else in the world with expert guides

Activities

This trip is rated as Moderate [3]. You should be capable of hiking up to 10 miles (up to 6 hours) per day, while carrying a day pack weighing 10-15 pounds. The terrain can be rugged and may require some rock scrambling to negotiate. Some hikes have short sections of steep trail that have exposure.

  • Hiking

What's Included

Group camping gear including tents and sleeping pads; meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 4; round trip transportation between the group hotel in Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park; van support; expert guide leadership; park entrance fees.

Accommodations

Camping, 3 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Death Valley Hiking & Camping
Day 1

Meet in Vegas before hiking along Dante’s Ridge

Meet your fellow travelers and guides in Las Vegas early this morning. After a scenic three-hour van ride, we begin our first hike in Death Valley National Park. We reach Dante's View at 5,500', then hike along the spine of the Black Mountains with amazing views on both sides. To the west, we look down a vertical mile to Badwater and the Death Valley saltpan, with snow-topped Telescope Peak (11,049') directly across the valley. To the east, we overlook range after range of mountains spilling across the California-Nevada border. After the hike, we continue to Furnace Creek Campground where we set up camp and enjoy a homemade dinner and an evening under the stars. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +1,200’ / -1,200’, Terrain: cross-country, primitive hiking trail; Van transfer: 3 hours

Day 2

Hike through the Funeral Mountains to colorful badlands

After breakfast, we hike across the foothills of the Funeral Mountains to the multicolored badlands of Twenty Mule Team Canyon and Golden Canyon. We begin at 1,800' before descending below sea level through a maze of canyons to a viewpoint overlooking the Death Valley saltpan. Our guides take time to point out the landscape's fascinating geological features and enlighten us on the natural history of this unique ecosystem. S’mores by the campfire tonight! All meals included.

Hiking: 10 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +300’ / -1,900’, Terrain: cross-country through open desert and narrow canyons. Some rock scrambling.

Day 3

Explore colorful marble narrows, hike a canyon rim trail, dine on the dunes

This morning our destination is a deep, narrow canyon carved into polished marble and colorful mosaics of dolomite. We hike through several sections of narrows before scrambling out of the canyon to a rim trail that helps us bypass an unclimbable 25' dry waterfall. This rim trail is the gateway to a deep, twisted gorge and another tall, dry fall and grotto. We follow the rim trail high above the canyon back to the trailhead, stopping to take in the expansive view across Mesquite Flat and Death Valley. Dinner tonight is al fresco among the Mesquite Flat Dunes, the perfect place to stargaze in the country’s largest designated Dark Sky National Park. All meals included.

Hiking: 5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: + 1,500' / -1,500’, Terrain: primitive hiking trail and gravel wash bottom. Some rock scrambling.

Day 4

Visit Badwater and Devil’s Golf Course, hike Desolation Canyon, return to Las Vegas

We finish our exploration of Death Valley appropriately with visits to Badwater and the Devil's Golf Course. Badwater, at 280' below sea level, is just a few miles from the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and often the hottest spot on Earth in summer months. Nearby, short, jagged salt pinnacles cluster together to form Devil's Golf Course, a bizarre landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. Afterward, we have time for one last adventure: colorful Desolation Canyon. We head back to Las Vegas this afternoon for return flights and goodbyes. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 3.6 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +600’ / -600’, Terrain: primitive hiking trail; Van transfer: 4 hours

Itinerary map for Death Valley Hiking & Camping

Gear List

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff. Although the name Death Valley conjures images of extreme heat in many people's minds, springtime in the desert can bring a variety of weather conditions including some rainfall and, at higher elevations, even snow! These extremes should prompt you to pack some warmer clothing in addition to the lightweight clothing already on your list. A fleece jacket and long pants are generally indispensable during early morning hours and at dinnertime when temperatures often drop below 50° F.

Already booked this trip? Sign into your online traveler profile for a more detailed list of what you'll need.

REI members can shop for gently used gear online or at most REI stores. Members can also trade in pre-loved used gear online or at any REI store in exchange for REI gift card credit. Check out Re/Supply at REI to learn more.

Provided by REI

  • All Group Cooking Gear
  • Group First Aid Kit
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Stoves and Fuel
  • Tent(s)

What to pack

Contact Us

Feel free to give us a call at 1 (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at our stores and Direct Sales ( 1 (800) 426-4840 ) will also be happy to help you with gear questions. Or check out REI Expert Advice , which has great information to help you prepare for your trip.

Trip specifics may change over time. Reviews reflect the version of the trip that was active at the time the reviewer took it. Please review the itinerary as described above and call our team for any additional details.