Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Death Valley National Park

Duration8h - 16h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you'll discover more on your Death Valley National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions play automatically, all based on your location.

You'll be guided to all of the park's famous highlights as well as lesser-known gems including the lowest point in North America that sits 200 feet below sea level, the park's most photographed vista, and a narrow one-way road that zigs and zags between mounds of multicolored rock.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you.

- Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location.
- Travel at your own pace
- Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
- Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
- Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

What's included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 220+ Points
Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Optional: National Park Passes: $30 per vehicle (vary depending on length of stay, ages, group size)

What to expect

Death Valley National Park
8h

Death Valley is the hottest, driest and lowest national park in the country, as well as being the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Death Valley National Park is a truly fantastic drive that is a captivating and, at times, surreal experience. It’s a unique blend of vast landscapes, extreme temperatures, and awe-inspiring geological wonders that make it an unforgettable journey.

As the audio guides play commentary based on your GPS location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.
Artists Palette
30m · Admission ticket not included

The scenic detour along Artist's Drive, off Badwater Road, is a roller coaster-like experience - a narrow one-way road that zigs and zags between mounds of multicolored rock. Every which way you turn you'll see a full palette of colors, ranging from coppery green to terra-cotta yellow to brick red and even pink. The pigments on display are derived from deposits of different mineral deposits. The Artist's Palette is the most concentrated area along the drive and makes for sublime photos.
Badwater
30m · Admission ticket not included

Here's your opportunity to stand at the lowest point in North America, 282 feet below sea level. The location is a large salt flat and it's characterized by a small natural pool of undrinkable water beside the road. Sometimes, after those rare rain events, the basin can have more standing water on it - but that will quickly evaporate away returning to dry, patterned salt flats.
Dante's View
20m · Admission ticket not included

Almost immediately upon arriving inside the national park from Death Valley Junction we have a magnificent 13-mile side trip option to Dante's View, which sits at an elevation just over 5,000 feet. Not only are the views amazing, but it's a place to truly absorb the changing elevations of the region. From Dante's we can peer down to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the USA, and turn our heads to the Panamint Mountain which peaks at over 11,000 feet. On a perfect day we can spot Mount Whitney, the highest point in the Lower 48, topping out at 14,505 feet. That's great value from one viewpoint!
Devil's Golf Course
30m · Admission ticket not included

Another of Death Valley's sublime landscapes. Devils Golf Course is a vast section of giant salt crystals that are constantly expanding and shrinking as the temperature changes. If you listen closely, you might be able to hear the crystals popping.
Father Crowley Vista Point
30m · Admission ticket not included

This overlook provides perhaps the best vista across Death Valley on the western side of the park. It's a not-to-be-missed view to take in if first arriving, or about to say farewell to the park. But, not only do we get a superb panorama of Death Valley, we'll also be able to glimpse Rainbow Canyon to the north. Striking red oxidixed volcanic rockfields are prominent in this area. Father Crowley was a Catholic priest from Ireland who was known as the Padre of the Desert, and he served the communities of the surrounding Inyo County in the first half of the twentieth century.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
1h · Admission ticket not included

Nothing says desert quite like sand dunes that support zero foliage and change shapes in the wind. Yes, of course Death Valley has to have sand dunes! A fantastic landscape of dunes can be experienced at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Be very wary of venturing too far without ample water on a hot day, and also that the sand can be scolding hot.
Ubehebe Crater
2h · Admission ticket not included

Ubehebe Crater is a fairly substantial side trip off the main road, into the remote northern corner of the park. Expect to drive for a good hour or more on an unpaved road to get there. In fact, we'll get you in the right path, but we won't have commentary all the way.
Ubehebe is the largest of a dozen craters that had explosives origins back when ground water met with hot magma. Driving even further requires a strong will and an appropriate 4x4 vehicle to reach Racetrack Playa, a salt flat famous for its ability to move 600 pound boulders along its surface. Also in this general section of the park is Scotty's Castle, which is actually a remote ranch. Check what the current pre-booking requirement and road status is before attempting to visit.
Zabriskie Point
30m · Admission ticket not included

Without a doubt one of the most famous views in all of Death Valley, Zabriskie Point provides an easy view over amazing badlands and should not be bypassed. The colors and contours playfully change with the sun at different times of day. Those looking to burn calories will find some nice hiking options including a 3.5 mile trek to Golden Canyon.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

From the north, follow Hwy 395 south and enter via Hwy 136 at Lone Pine, then continue on Hwy 190 to Panamint Springs. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.

Meeting point

From southern California, follow Hwy 395 and enter via Hwy 178 to Wildrose/Emigrant Canyon, or continue north to Hwy 190 via Panamint Springs. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.

Meeting point

From Beatty, join the tour when departing the park or returning to Las Vegas via I-95. This route can also be driven in reverse. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” download over Wi-Fi/cell, then preview the route in the app.

Meeting point

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. From Las Vegas, the recommended route is via Pahrump to Death Valley Junction and into the park. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour,” then preview the route in the app.

End point

Commentary plays automatically based on your location, so you have flexibility on where and when you want to start and end your tour anywhere along the tour route.

Additional information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.7 (15)