December 10th – 13th, 2026
Death Valley National Park Photo Tour 2026
Only spaces remaining!
Description
Death Valley National Park Photography Tour
December 10–13, 2026
Join us to capture the immense scale and unique textures of one of the most varied landscapes on Earth. This tour is designed for photographers of all levels who want to improve their craft in a dramatic, world-class setting.
The Experience We’ve timed this tour to take advantage of the crisp winter light and clear desert nights. You’ll explore iconic locations from the Mesquite Sand Dunes to the geometric salt flats of Badwater Basin.
Photography Education Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced shooter, we focus on hands-on education in a small group setting. You do not need prior night-sky photography experience, we’ll be right there to guide you through the process of capturing the desert after dark.
What to Expect
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Hiking Difficulty: Moderate. Most days involve 1–2 miles of walking on fairly level terrain (sand and salt crust).
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Group Size: Very limited. We keep our groups small to ensure everyone gets personalized instruction.
- Lodging: I have secured lodging for us in the heart of Death Valley making our drive times short
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Availability: This is our only Death Valley tour scheduled for 2026.
Registration & Details This tour typically sells out quickly. You can find full registration details and the daily itinerary below.
If you have any specific questions about gear or physical requirements, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Additional information
| Registration Type | Photographer – Pay in Full, Photographer – Payment Plan |
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THE DETAILS:
- Price: $1795 OR Pay in Full Early Bird Rate, $1495 Save $300!
- Price includes:
- The MPA team personally educating and photographing with you!
- Personalized instruction
- Transportation within the park
- All tour planning
- Snacks and Water.
- Image Review ( based on time and weather)
- Photography, Travel, Friendship, Adventure! – The McKay Motto!
- Price DOES NOT include:
- Transportation to and from Death Valley (Las Vegas Airport – 2.5 hrs)*
- Hotel accommodations
- Recommended Trip Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Such as meals, room service, alcohol, or beverages
*Depending on your flight schedule we may be able to provide transport to and from Death Valley – more info after booking.
Base itinerary
Day 1: Thursday, Dec 10th | Arrival & First Shoot
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Late PM: Group Meeting and Orientation.
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Evening Shoot | Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: We’ll focus on the interplay of light and shadow as the sun gets lower. This is a great time for abstract compositions using the sharp edges of the dune crests and the long shadows they cast across the basin.
Day 2: Friday, Dec 11th | Textures & Salt Flats
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Dawn | Zabriskie Point: We’ll arrive for first light to capture the direct sun hitting the upper peaks while the badlands below remain in shadow. Our focus will be on the geometric shapes and the immense scale of the vista.
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Mid-Day | The Inn at Death Valley: A change of pace to photograph the desert oasis architecture and palm groves.
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Sunset | Badwater Basin: We’ll walk out onto the salt crust to find the best geometric polygons. As the sun sets, we’ll use the low light to emphasize the crystalline textures of the salt against the backdrop of the mountain range.
Day 3: Saturday, Dec 12th | Low Light & Vibrant Minerals
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Sunrise | Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Returning for the morning light, which creates a completely different set of textures. The low angle is perfect for emphasizing the wind-blown ripples in the sand.
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Late Morning | Artists Drive & Palette: We’ll drive the winding road to Artists Palette to photograph the concentrated mineral deposits. The goal is to capture the distinct greens, pinks, and yellows in the volcanic hills.
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Late Afternoon | Flexible Shoot: We’ll revisit a favorite location or scout a new spot based on the day’s conditions.
Day 4: Sunday, Dec 13th | Final Shoot & Departure
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Morning: One final optional shoot for the “early birds” to catch the morning light one last time.
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Mid-Morning: Final group wrap-up and departure for Las Vegas.
| *Each day will present various photographic opportunities. Based on a number of factors, each day will be flexible to where we go and exactly what we photograph. This keeps everything fresh and exciting!
Depending on time, light, weather etc, we also try to work in at least one night of astro photography. |
Instructors
- Toby Gelston
- Timmy Scott
Instructors are scheduled, however, they are subject to change as needed.
Tour Pack
Please download the Tour Packet from the link below when it becomes available. The information contained in this packet is also available under the Tour Prep page here on the website. However, this packet will also include some gear specifics for this tour.
(Coming Soon)
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