TRAVEL-202609-uswest/days/2026-10-01.md

# Oct 1 (Thu) — Death Valley viewpoints · Las Vegas evening

**Stay:** [Horseshoe](../bookings/stays/hotel-vegas-horseshoe.md)

*All times are PDT.*

## Logistics

- Use the [America the Beautiful pass](../bookings/activities/america-the-beautiful-pass-2026.md); the pass holder and photo ID must be present. Save the digital/PDF pass to the phone before leaving Las Vegas
- Fill the tank in Pahrump and carry substantial water. Mobile coverage is unreliable in the park
- Inbound route: NV-160 → Pahrump → Death Valley Junction → CA-190. The return south from Badwater via the paved Southern Badwater Road, Ashford Junction, CA-178/Jubilee Pass, Shoshone and Pahrump is valid and open. NPS marks the road **CAUTION** because of flood-damaged pavement, loose gravel in places, soft shoulders, dust, large shoulder drops and missing pavement markings
- No long hikes in the valley heat; today's stops are viewpoints and short walks

## Plan

> Menu: [`vegas_sights.md`](../vegas_sights.md)

- **7:00 AM** Depart Horseshoe; eat breakfast first or carry breakfast and snacks
- **~9:20–9:50 AM** **Dante's View** — high panorama over Badwater Basin; do this first while it is cooler
- **~10:20–10:40 AM** **Zabriskie Point** — short paved walk to the overlook
- **~10:50–11:35 AM** **Furnace Creek** — visitor center, water and an early lunch at The Ranch; food and fuel are available year-round
- **~12:00–12:30 PM** **Badwater Basin** — lowest point in North America; keep the salt-flat walk short
- **~12:45–1:30 PM** **Artist's Drive / Artist's Palette** — one-way scenic road, then begin the return to Las Vegas
- **~4:00 PM** Return to Horseshoe and rest
- **Early evening** Gambling at Horseshoe or nearby casinos; no fixed reservation

If departure slips past **8:00 AM**, drop Dante's View first and keep Zabriskie, Badwater and Artist's Palette.

## Addresses

| Place | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe Las Vegas | 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · +1 877-603-4390 | [36.11348, -115.16906](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=36.11348,-115.16906) |
| Dante's View | Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Dante's+View+Death+Valley) |
| Zabriskie Point | CA-190, Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Zabriskie+Point+Death+Valley) |
| Furnace Creek Visitor Center | 328 Greenland Blvd, Death Valley, CA 92328 | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Furnace+Creek+Visitor+Center) |
| Badwater Basin | Badwater Road, Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Badwater+Basin) |
| Artist's Palette | Artist's Drive, Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Artist's+Palette+Death+Valley) |