We plan to visit Death Valley from Las Vegas in December and would like to seek advise on the best itinerary for a two days visit in Death Valley - where to go first, where to stay for one night? What's the must-sees? Where are the best places to take photos of sunrise and sunset?

Also where is the exact location of "Racetrack Playa" in the park?

Thanks in advance!

Look at this page from official Death Valley website:
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisi...untryroads.htm

It has a map on the right side which will show the location of the Racetrack (look northwest of Stovepipe Wells Village on the map). It also has recommendations for travel on backcountry roads. To get to the Racetrack, you need a high-clearance vehicle and possibly 4WD. A typical rental vehicle would not be allowed to drive on this road.

Good places for sunrise/sunset are the sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells. Zabriskie Point at sunrise and Golden Canyon/Red Cathedral at sunset are good choices as well.

Thanks TheWeasel, I found the racetrack on the map now!

We are going to Death Valley a couple of days after Christmas. We are leaving from Vegas as well. My understanding is that the racetrack required high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle as Weasel indicates. If you come up with some alternative to get to the racetrack let me know. I have reserved a 4 wheel drive, but doubt that I will risk going to race track area. We are staying at the ranch. Darwin Falls looks like an intersting hike on the west side.

http://www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Hikes.htm

I love this guys website. It is very comprehensive, and goes into the detail that I like.

Zabriskie Point is very good for sunrise, the Sand Dunes are very good for sunset.

Death Valley is easy to explore; just start at any point and drive from one attraction to the next. IMO, the Sand Dunes and the Badwater/Devil's Golf Course area are very impressive.

Inside Death Valley, there is a choice of accomodation which is run by Xanterra. Stovepipe Wells is rather inexpensive and gets good reviews. Furnace Creek Inn is an oasis in the desert, incredible with pool and lush garden. But pricey.

Furnace Creek Ranch is somewhat in between. Reviews are rather mixed. Some say, better save the money and go to Stovepipe Wells.

Many thanks to Weasel, spirobulldog and traveller1959!

Following the URLs you gave, I found more interesting places to visit, especially those wonderful hikes! Now I have to consider spending more than two days there ...

Now on Scotty's Castle, do you have to take on those guided tours (one for the ground and one for the underground) to learn it all? Or can you just do it by yourself? Roughly how long would it take to finish the Castle?