Day trips to Death Valley National Park in eastern California from Las Vegas usually include a stop at the Devils Golf Course. Self-guided driving tours are also available for those who want to explore on their own. You can venture onto the terrain, but the uneven ground can be dangerous to walk on, plus the formations are fragile and can be easily damaged. The unique landscape is a popular photo opp though, making it worth the visit.
There’s an entrance fee for Death Valley National Park.
You can visit the park in the summer months, especially if you’re traveling around in an air-conditioned vehicle; Hiking is not recommended except in the early morning hours and in the mountains.
Be sure to check the park website for the latest road closures.
Devils Golf Course sits between the towns of Badwater and Furnace Creek and is about a 2-hour drive from Vegas. A turnoff from Badwater Road provides access by car. The dirt road and parking area are made from compacted gravel that’s suitable for most vehicles. Guided tours from Vegas include transportation and a stop at the Devils Golf Course.
Visit Death Valley National Park in the cooler seasons—late fall, winter, and early spring. From mid-May to mid-September, this area can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching 120℉ (49℃) or higher. Ranger-led tours are typically offered from mid-November to mid-April. Depending on the weather conditions, wildflowers may bloom in late March and early April.
In the early 1900s, companies mined Devils Golf Course for borax, which formed into crystalized deposits composed of volcanic ash containing boron created when the lake beds dried up. Learn about the history of borax mining in Death Valley at the visitor center and museum at Furnace Creek. Due to the harsh conditions, mining in Death Valley eventually ceased.
