Death Valley Hiking & Camping | Under 35

Trip Length 3 Days
Group Size 4–10
Activity level
Starting from
$1,179 for REI Members
$1,379 for non-members
Departures Oct 2023-Nov 2024

Hit the trail with a group of like-minded adventurers to explore the scenic wonders of Death Valley National Park on this fun-filled 3-day hiking trip designed especially for travelers aged 18–35 (but anyone over 18 can join!).

Death Valley National Park covers over 3 million acres of wilderness, making it the largest national park in the Lower 48. It is a land of contrasts, home to the lowest point in North America and the driest place on the continent. Facts aside, the terrain is otherworldly and offers a variety of unique hiking opportunities for the active traveler: narrow, labyrinthine slot canyons through polished marble and limestone, hidden oases frequented by bighorn sheep, and challenging mining trails that climb to remote desert summits.

Our departures take place in spring and fall, an ideal time to visit due to more temperate weather. This thrilling camping and hiking trip takes place in the heart of Death Valley with Furnace Creek Campground as our home base. Explore hidden narrows, traverse high ridge lines with expansive desert views, and experience the scenic Mesquite Flat sand dunes.

While the days are action-packed, the evenings are spent kicking back at our campsite, enjoying colorful desert sunsets, and savoring the delicious meals prepared by our guides. A perfect long-weekend escape from daily life and a chance to forge new friendships with like-minded peers.

Stroll on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in the footsteps of Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Trip Highlights

  • Visit Dante’s View, Badwater, Devil’s Golf Course and more
  • Hike through the colorful badlands of Golden Canyon
  • Camp under starry skies and eat delicious guide-prepared meals
  • Walk in the tracks of C-3PO on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
  • Stargaze in an International Dark Sky Park

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 3; 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, 2 nights

Your Adventure Itinerary

Itinerary map for Death Valley Hiking & Camping | Under 35
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

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

Today’s hike is in 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.

Day 3

Visit Badwater and Devil’s Golf Course, hike Funeral Mountains and the colorful badlands of Golden 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: Experience the multicolored badlands of Golden Canyon. Hike 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. In the afternoon, we say our goodbyes to this awe-inspiring national park and return to Las Vegas. Breakfast and lunch included.

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

Itinerary map for Death Valley Hiking & Camping | Under 35

Gear List

This gear list has been created to help you choose the best equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff. The weather and other conditions at the time of your arrival will dictate what clothing and equipment you will be required to use each day and what (if anything) can be left behind. It may be a necessary precaution that you bring certain items on the list, even if it is uncertain whether or not they will be needed.

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.

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.