We currently have reservations at the Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley for one night in late July. We're then heading to Las Vegas for 2 nights before heading on to Zion (which already visited). I'm beginning to question the one nights stay in D.V.

We'll be doing Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, family, and Joshua Tree. After leaving Joshua Tree we were planning on heading up to Death Valley and spend the night there.

We have done Las Vegas before and our children (5 and 8) love it. We have still not made our reservations for Las Vegas but are considering Luxor (tower room), Treasure Island, and Flamingo Hilton. We understand the pool at TI is small, Luxor's is nice but shallow, and Flamingo's is the best of the three. However, there have been many unfavorable comments on the condition of the rooms. Would anyone recommend a specific area (floor number, etc.)of the hotel? If we cut out D.V. we were thinking of seeing Red Rock Canyon while we were in Las Vegas (did Hoover Dam last time).

We know it will be HOT in D.V. but I'm concerned it might be so hot, even in the evening and morning that we wouldn't enjoy the Park.

Any suggestions??

Just my opinion, but Joshua Tree will provide a desert experience and I couldn't go to Death Valley in July! Undoubtably, some will disagree! Spend the extra day up north before family or in Las Vegas beside a pool.

Cathy-DV is beautiful, but in July, 'Furnace' Creek is aptly named !! Probably not the wisest month to visit and be able to enjoy the park.

I would skip the Death Valley visit. July is just much too hot, especially for the kids. Las Vegas will be hot enough but pales in comparison to Death Valley. At least there is a lot to see and do in Las Vegas without being outside.

I am a regular at the FLamingo Hilton and have never had a bad room. We are very particular about our rooms. However there are better places but the pools at the Flamingo are really good. Try to get a room on one of the upper floors, facing the strip on the southern end. You will have a fabulous view of the water show at the Bellagio.

I camped at Furnace Creek in August. Hot water came out of the spigot in the campground. The temperature dropped at night but the ambient heat made it impossible to sleep on the ground. We slept on top of the picnic tables instead. That said, I would still go. Death Valley is one of the strangest and most beautiful landscapes on earth. -Tim

If anything, the above posters are understating the heat in DV in July--it is not just hot, it is suffocatingly so both day and night. Children especially need to be careful because they dehydrate easily. If you go--and I hope you do not--make sure that your kids carry bottles of water and drink from them before they become thirsty, and then drink, drink, drink. Out here in Arizona we see little kids turning the color of ripe tomatoes because their parents are not aware of this danger.

Hi Cathy! Your trip sounds similar to ours! THis will be our fifth Western Adventure with our two kids, 3 weeks each summer, and this year we also plan a night at Death Valley! We know it's hot, but with school,we have no other time to travel and just wanna see it.

A question for everyone: The other "ovens" we've been in are Joshua Tree, Saguaro east and west and Organ Pipe National Parks in July. Yes, they were hot, but not unbearable. How do these parks compare to Death Valley? We're staying at Furnace Creek, and know we're not hiking (duh!) but just want to get the feel of it.

Thanks for any/all advice and info!

Hi, Cathy,
By now I bet you've made up your mind. What did you decide?

We got back from the Flamingo last night and had a clean and comfortable room for a good price. The hotel is very well located, across from the Bellagio and Caesar's and a 5 minute walk from the Paris, 10 or so from the Venetian. The pool area is very nice, but it's 110F out there in the afternoon and man that's hot. And this is June.

I love Death Valley but it's definitely a spring/autumn/winter visit, not July. The park is pretty big, and you won't be able to see many of the most interesting sights in one day, never mind the outright dangerous conditions encountered if the car breaks down or you overestimate your tolerance for the heat and ultraviolet. Come back when you have more time and cooler conditions.

There is a sign posted upon the entrance to the area, that informs you to enter at your own risk.....seriously.

Do the Las Vegas. I just returned from there back in December. The new hotels and attractions for children make LV a family friendly town now.

Go out to Henderson area and visit Hoover Dam, or take a drive over to Laughlin, NV on the AZ border. Visit the town of Oatman, an old western town along the original route 66! Has some of the best mexican food I have ever eaten. Oatman has a population of about 30 people; wild burrows will greet you upon your arrival and are a delight.

Enjoy your trip!!!

Ellie, was interested to read your post.

We (4 of us) are going to Las Vegas in October this year for seven!!! nights (there is a huge after-market car accessories exposition at the L.V. Convention Centre and the men LOVE cars and all the crap that goes with them).
Was very glad to read of things to do and see while there aside from the hotels, shows and gambling (all of which I definitely enjoy).

Oatman sounds fun. Is it far?

How about Red Rock Canyon? I'm sure my husband would love to see it (will bring back memories of the Hopalong Cassidy movies of his youth I'm sure!).

What does Henderson have to offer?

Thanks for any further input you have.

Oatman was fun and would be especially nice with the kids as they would love the wild burros. One with her baby would not leave me alone last year as I had licorice in my pocket and did she know it. There is an old mining town called Jerome in that area too, I think.
The ascent to Jerome by car was a little too "hairy" for me, but others loved it.