Death Valley Audio Tour: Explore Unforgettable Scenery

Embark on a self-guided audio tour of Death Valley and discover its unforgettable scenery, rich history, and the stories of Gold Rush miners. Book now for a lifetime of exploration!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Death Valley Junction - Despite its foreboding name, this valley is one of the most thrilling places in the country. Sure, it’s the hottest place in the world, but you’ll soon see that the heat is worth the hassle!

Note: This 40+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Death Valley in 2-3 hours.

  • Borax - While the famed Gold Rush brought a huge influx of hopefuls to Death Valley, it wasn’t gold which kept the valley on the map. In their frantic search for that prized metal, miners stumbled upon something just as valuable: borax.

  • Dante’s View - Affording breathtaking views of the undulating salt flats below, Dante’s View is a phenomenal place for photography, or simply watching the sun set behind the Panamint Mountains. This vista towers more than 5,000 feet above the Badwater Basin, on the cusp of the Black Mountain Range.

  • Twenty Mule Team Canyon - This is Twenty Mule Team Canyon, named for those iconic wagon trains I just mentioned. This winding road offers some truly excellent desert scenery as you weave between saffron colored hills and colorful badlands. If you visit in the early morning or around sunset, you’ll be treated to dazzling colors as the orange sunlight paints the dramatic rock faces.

  • Zabriskie Point - Named for a 19th-century borax baron, who you’ll hear about in a second, Zabriskie Point is easily one of Death Valley’s most iconic locations. From this perch on the Amargosa Mountain range, you can really see how erosion has shaped this valley. Directly below are the badlands. Past those, much lighter in color, you’ll see the dazzling salt flats. All of it is framed by the hulking Panamint Mountains beyond.

  • Furnace Creek Visitor Center - Here at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, you’ll find snacks, water, and restrooms, but more importantly…a thermometer! Just outside the entrance is a big digital readout that’ll tell you exactly how hot it is here at one of Death Valley’s lowest points. Make sure to snap a photo standing next to it to shock your friends and family back home.

  • Golden Canyon - From here, you can access the Golden Canyon trail. This out and back trail is about 3 miles total, and takes around one hour to complete. This popular trail sees many visitors each year, so you’re sure to encounter a few fellow hikers during your trip!

  • Mars Hill - That gentle hill off to your right is called Mars Hill. If you think about it, the name makes sense! Much of Death Valley brings to mind the arid, lifeless surface of the planet Mars. The deep ochre stones, strange rock formations and great dusty expanses certainly feel like they don’t quite belong on earth.

  • Artist’s Drive - This canvas was painted by volcanic deposits of iron oxides and chlorite. While the badlands of Zabriskie Point were colored largely by different sedimentary deposits, these rocks owe their glow to a totally different era of Death Valley’s geology.

  • Artists Palette - This is the best spot to view the Artist’s Palette, a collection of wildly colorful rocks that look like they can’t possibly be natural. And yet they are!

  • Devil’s Golf Course - This road is rugged and unpaved, so use caution when driving. It leads to a fascinating landscape known as Devils Golf Course. When most people think of golf courses, they’ll imagine verdant rolling hills, smoothly manicured turf and the sound of birdsong. But Death Valley offers no such thing.

  • Badwater Basin - This is Badwater Basin, home to salt flats which spread out across the desert for a whopping 200 square miles. At 282 feet below sea level, this basin is the lowest point in North America.

What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Foods & Drinks
Additional Information

Experience the harsh beauty of a land like no other: Death Valley. Famed for its record-breaking temperatures, this valley also serves up some sizzling scenery, from sprawling salt flats to rainbow-colored badlands and soaring mountain ranges. This self-guided driving tour shows you the best spots in the park and fills you in on this area’s rich history. Follow in the footsteps of Gold Rush miners and hear their stories as you explore this bizarre, unforgettable valley.

Recommended: purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time!

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
Death Valley Junction
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.3
(18 Ratings)
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1 star
415huant
May 28, 2024
Pleasant, clear and informative narration - All the recommended sites are excellent. We Could not find entrance to salt creek, a bummer! We’d add “devil’s golf course” to the “must see” list.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancy
May 15, 2024
Death Valley unexpected! - Beautiful! Certainly not what I was expecting! Mountains with snow, wildflowers were blooming! So beautiful! Got to the lowest part of USA! Loved the drive through Artist Palette! Very well marked and maintained!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bevjasw
Apr 1, 2024
Death Valley tour - Helped pass driving time. Very informative. Gave us good direction for touring the park. Was able to learn about sites before getting there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephaniert7363og
Mar 6, 2024
Great Guide! - Very good! We only had an issue driving back when it would interrupt itself with audio cues we had already heard. But overall it took us to all the most sought after views and features. I would recommend to anyone visiting the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
216kerrir
Feb 5, 2024
Loved Death Valley tour - This audio guided tour was so easy to use and so interesting, we can’t wait to do another one of their tours! Death Valley is really beautiful, despite the name.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcelsl9505jf
Apr 8, 2024
Death Valley Guide a must. - Great informative stories about the valley. Beware though, it tells you a couple of times to turn left, there is no left turn but there is a right turn!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coleen_m
Apr 9, 2024
Just ok - Lots of tech difficulties with it. When I did get it to work it just mediocre. There ate lots of areas it didn't even mention
Review provided by Viator
Mike
Jan 27, 2024
Didn’t know our location - Audio didn’t load properly. It didn’t always know our location. We’re used other audio tours and never had any problems. I have the latest iPhone and upgraded. Good information when we heard it, but was off on the location.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaelhc2603dk
Mar 3, 2024
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY - Terrible could not get the download in the park so it was useless. We could not contact anyone and they basically just took our $18. Really a scam since Death Valley has no cell towers
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jodey_d
Dec 27, 2023
No cell or power service in Death Valley so didn't work. - We have used audio tours before and loved them but, with no service in Death Valley, we were unable to make it work.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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