Death Valley National Park
Sunday, March 8, 2026 -
Sunday, March 15, 2026 --
$1900
★
Explore one of the most extreme—and stunning—landscapes on Earth with a week of guided
hiking in
Death Valley National Park.
Known for its dramatic geology, vast salt flats, towering sand
dunes, and striking canyons, Death Valley is a land of
superlatives: the hottest temperature ever recorded (134°F),
the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin, -282’),
and some of the most unique and colorful desert scenery anywhere
in the world.
Our adventure is base camping and day hiking only, with no need
to carry heavy packs. We'll spend the week at a group campsite (TBD) in the centrally located Furnace Creek Campground, putting us within reach of many of the park’s iconic sites. From there, we'll venture out each day to explore places like Badwater Basin, Desolation Canyon, Corkscrew Peak, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Ubehebe Crater, and even the rare Darwin Falls, where water flows in the heart of the desert.
March is one of the best times to experience Death Valley, with mild daytime temperatures, cool nights, and the possibility of blooming wildflowers. It's the perfect season to enjoy the park’s rugged beauty without the intense summer heat.
And if you’re wondering what a graben is—it’s a sunken block of
land between two fault lines, and Death Valley is one of the
most iconic examples of this geological feature. So why not
come see it for yourself?
Topographical Map of Proposed Route
See Topo map
Weather
Weather is always an important consideration when hiking, especially in an environment as extreme and variable as Death Valley. In early March, you can typically expect daytime hiking temperatures in the
high 70s and nighttime lows in the 40s, making it one of the most
pleasant times of year to explore the park. However, conditions can
still vary significantly. Be prepared for daytime highs reaching
into the 90s and overnight lows dipping into the 30s.
Rain is extremely rare this time of year. If precipitation does
occur, it’s often in the form of virga—rain that evaporates before
it reaches the ground—so don’t count on it for cooling off or
hydration.
Due to the intense sun exposure and dry desert air, sun protection
is essential, including sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and
sunglasses. Participants must also carry water containers with a
total capacity of at least 6 liters, as dehydration can happen
quickly—even in cooler temperatures.
Probable Trip Leaders
Beau Devlin
Any Other Guide(s) TBD
Cost
$1900
per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will
share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room
accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible
for transportation to and from Las Vegas (LAS) as well as personal
equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities
for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for
leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.
Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 6 nights in a front country campground,
storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers,
ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees
and awesome guides.
Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to)
other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve.
Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make
up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important
part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the
trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally
account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the
greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted
to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing
exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well,
please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles
of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small
holes they've dug.
Important Notes about this trip
While this trip is structured as a base camping and day hiking
adventure, don’t underestimate the physical demands. Daytime temperatures in Death Valley can be surprisingly hot, even in March, and elevation gain on some hikes can be substantial. Carrying only a day pack may sound easy, but the combination of heat, dry air, and rugged terrain can make hikes more strenuous than expected. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
Please note that some areas of Death Valley National Park may remain inaccessible in 2026 due to ongoing repairs and closures caused by flooding on 11/15/2025 and 11/18/2025. Some open roads may have standing water, minor debris, and road equipment. However, there's a possibility that Scotty’s Castle, long closed due to previous flood damage, may reopen by the time of our trip. If accessible, we’ll plan to visit this historic and fascinating part of the park.
While we advise against over packing, this is a great trip to bring along a few extra comforts. A camp chair (though picnic tables are provided), binoculars for wildlife or landscape viewing, and even a telescope to enjoy Death Valley’s renowned dark skies can enhance your experience.
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