Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Death Valley National Park
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About This Tour in Death Valley National Park
Why Visit Death Valley National Park?
Death Valley National Park, USA offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Death Valley National Park provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
Getting to Death Valley National Park
You can reach Death Valley National Park, USA by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. From the airport, you can take a taxi, rideshare service (Uber, Lyft), or public transportation to reach the city center. Many hotels also offer shuttle services, and rental cars are widely available for exploring the area.
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
- Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 220+ Points
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
What's Not Included
- Optional: National Park Passes: $30 per vehicle (vary depending on length of stay, ages, group size)
Cancellation Policy
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.
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Meeting and Pickup
Meeting Point
Death ValleyStart at (from Lone Pine, CA or Pahrump, NV) or join anywhere along the tour route. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour" and follow the instructions to download now over Wi-Fi/cell service. Then, preview the start location/s and tour 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.
Pickup Information
Pickup Option: All travelers must meet at start point
Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
Death Valley is the hottest, driest and lowest... 8 hours
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.
The scenic detour along Artist's Drive, off Badwater... 30 minutes
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.
Here's your opportunity to stand at the lowest... 30 minutes
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.
Almost immediately upon arriving inside the national park... 20 minutes
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!
Another of Death Valley's sublime landscapes 30 minutes
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.
This overlook provides perhaps the best vista across... 30 minutes
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.
Nothing says desert quite like sand dunes that... 1 hour
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 is a fairly substantial side trip... 2 hours
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.
Without a doubt one of the most famous... 30 minutes
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
