Death Valley Family Multisport
- Hike among rock formations that look like Neapolitan ice cream
- Revel in the peacefulness of the desert
- Zabriskie Point, with an extraordinary panoramic view of the Panamint Range
- Kids take in the desert scenery on horseback
- Spectacular Mosaic Canyon, where marble fragments are fused to the narrow rock walls
Unexpected Wonders in California's Mojave Desert
Death Valley's extreme environment can be pretty tough - when you're a plant or a critter. But for your family, it's a cinch to simply soak up the beauty of it all. Rocks in colors that rival any artist's palette. Vistas that morph with every angle in the light. Wildlife, from road runners to diminutive fish found nowhere else on earth. Graceful Sahara-style sand dunes. And an elegant oasis at Furnace Creek Inn, complete with gourmet cuisine and a shimmering spring-fed swimming pool. With Backroads, life in Death Valley couldn't be sweeter.
Day 1 Scotty's Castle, a flamboyant Moorish-style hacienda featuring an indoor waterfall, 18 fireplaces and a pipe organ 
What's that shimmering in the distance? The Great Salt Flats play tricks on your eyes as you ride to Mud Canyon on mostly level terrain.
Day 2 Spectacular Mosaic Canyon, where marble fragments are fused to the narrow rock walls Hike amid the hidden wonders of the park, from a smooth water-carved canyon to a desert oasis frequented by wildlife Stretch your legs on a walk amid the sand dunes at Mesquite Flat or at Devil's Cornfield, known for tangles of sand and arrowweed that form bizarre "haystacks" Our hotel's spring-fed swimming pool invites a refreshing afternoon dip.
Day 3 Amble among rock formations that look like Neapolitan ice cream Kids saddle up for a morning horseback ride while adults bike to Badwater, the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet below sea level Witness the mesmerizing mirage of a sandy beach on the giant Salt Playa.
Day 4 Hike to Zabriskie Point, the park's most celebrated vista spot Take in the amazing panorama of the Panamint Range, including Telescope Peak and the badlands' yellow sandstone Look for ancient lava flows in the Black Mountains to the south.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
For adventurous families looking to explore a remote landscape, the stark beauty and serenity of the desert is perfect. Adults love the smorgasbord of challenging biking options and hikes. Kids get a kick out of rolling down the powdery white sand dunes and biking through Badwater, the lowest spot in the country. This trip's M.O. is informal and relaxed, down to the casual accommodations and dining, so if that's your family's style, this multisport getaway is for you.- Trip Development Coordinator, California & the Southwest
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Furnace Creek Inn
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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 11, 36, 54 miles
- 150 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Walking 0.75 miles
- no elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 4 miles
- 450 - 900 feet elevation gain
- Biking 24 miles
- 400 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 6, 17, 34, 46 miles
- 0 - 2300 feet elevation gain
- Horseback Riding (kids) 1 hour
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 2.8 miles
- 950 feet elevation gain
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the California tour experts. See our award-winning USA multisport tours, USA biking tours and USA walking and hiking tours.
