Star Wars in Death Valley: 6 Filming Locations to Visit in Real Life!
If you are a Star Wars fan, you may already know that some of the original scenes in the Star Wars movies were filmed inside of Death Valley National Park. With today’s restrictions, movies are not allowed to be filmed inside the park. So walking through movie scenes on your trip to Death Valley is a really unique experience. Here we’ve got you covered with all the Star Wars filming locations in the park!
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Was Star Wars Really Filmed in Death Valley National Park?
Yes! Before there were many restrictions on commercial filming in the National Parks, several scenes from Star Wars were filmed inside the National Park. Most of the scenes you can see in Episode IV – A New Hope (1976), but also in Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983). After you visit, you’ll definitely recognize the areas in the movies!
Star Wars in Death Valley: Film Location Details!
1. Golden Canyon
How to get there & the need to know:
Golden Canyon is the most popular hike in Death Valley and it’s a great family friendly hike! There is a decent sized parking lot, but on a busy day you’ll probably want to get there relatively early to make sure you can get a spot. This hike has several variations that all start from the same trailhead:
- 1.9 miles roundtrip if you turn around at the Red Cathedral Trail
- 3 miles (577 ft elevation) roundtrip to the Red Cathedral
- 4.3 miles (850 ft elevation) for the Gower Gulch Loop
As you hike through the canyon, you may find some spots familiar as this is the scene in “Star Wars: A New Hope” where R2D2 was watched and captured by Jawas in his search for Obi-Wan. It was fun to be on the lookout with our kids for Jawas hiding behind large boulders and around every corner!
Check out our list of the 10 Best Easy Hikes in Death Valley for more family friendly hikes!
2. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
How to get there & the need to know:
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are an absolute gem in Death Valley. The dunes are located near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley. It has pit toilets and a large paved parking lot. The length of the hike is really as far as you want to go, but if you go out to the farthest dune it’s about 2.5 miles round trip. The elevation depends on how many times you climb up to sled down the dunes!
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or the “Tatooine Dunes” from Episode IV – A New Hope, are an epic spot to adventure. Here you can play on the dunes while following the path that C-3PO and R2D2 traveled after their escape pod landed on Tatooine!
3. Twenty-Mule Team Canyon
How to get there & the need to know:
Twenty-Mule Team Canyon is a really unique scenic drive in Death Valley. It’s located on the way to Dante’s View and fairly close to the park entrance. The drive is one way and only 2.5 miles so it’s definitely worth adding to your Death Valley itinerary.
You may recognize your surroundings as the area R2D2 and C-3PO traversed on their way to Jabba the Hutt’s Palace in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. However, you have to hike to get to the location the scenes were filmed (we didn’t hike here!) but it’s still cool to drive the road nonetheless.
4. Desolation Canyon
How to get there & the need to know:
Desolation Canyon is located on the same road as Golden Canyon and Badwater Salt Flats. It’s a little similar to Golden Canyon, but the views are different and it’s definitely worth it if you have time to add a hike to your trip. The hike is 3.6 miles and 787 feet of elevation gain. Towards the end, there is some scrambling that got tough for us with our kids, but the hike is still beautiful if you turn around at this point.
The entrance to Desolation Canyon is where the Tusken Raider Attack was filmed in A New Hope. You can keep a lookout for footsteps of the Tusken Raiders as you hike. The bantha they ride was actually an asian elephant dressed up for filming. So while you’re hiking, imagine an elephant walking through the canyon!
5. Artist’s Palette
How to get there & the need to know:
Regardless of if you’re a Star Wars fan or not, Artist’s Drive is a must when you’re in Death Valley. The one way scenic drive is 9 miles and has some pretty fun dips that will make you feel like you’re on a roller coaster! Artist’s Drive is also home to the famous Artist’s Palette where you can see incredible blue and pink colored rocks in the mountains.
Two different Star Wars scenes were filmed near Artist’s Palette, both from A New Hope. Near the entrance to Artist’s Palette (just South), you can see where Jawa’s Sandcrawler was filmed on the horizon. If you get out of your car at Artist’s Palette, you can hike up through the colorful mountains. Be sure to take a peek into the canyon to see where R2D2 traveled in his search for Obi-Wan.
6. Dante’s View
How to get there & the need to know:
Dante’s View is hands down the most epic viewpoint in Death Valley. It’s a little bit of a drive to get there ~40 minutes from Furnace Creek, but totally worth it for what you’ll see at the top. From the viewpoint, you can see everything and a beautiful sunset if you’re willing to stay that long. There are several trails around the area, but be careful – there are some steep drop offs!
From Dante’s View you can see beautiful mountains and the salt flats from above. You’ll also share the view that Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan had when they were overlooking the town of Mos Eisley in A New Hope.
Bonus: Check out the Night Sky
While the night sky wasn’t technically part of the filming of Star Wars, Death Valley has one of the darkest skies in the United States. Spend some time stargazing in Death Valley and you’ll feel like you’re part of Star Wars!
Is it Possible to Visit All the Star Wars Film Locations in One Day?
Yes you definitely can! It would be a very busy day, but it’s possible if you rush. I would personally recommend spreading it out, so you can do some hikes and enjoy the views of Death Valley!
If you’re looking for some more things to do on your trip to Death Valley we’ve got you covered below with the best things to do and how to plan your itinerary. PLUS, we were lucky enough to explore with a campervan, so we have some resources for you there as well!
- 26 Things to do in Death Valley with Kids
- 1 Day Itinerary for Death Valley: All the Must See Spots
- How to Campervan with a Baby: 13 Easy Tips
- The Pros & Cons of Traveling by Campervan with Kids
A trip to Death Valley is a MUST if you are an avid Star Wars fan. You’ll get to live out your childhood dreams of walking through Tatooine. Death Valley really does feel like another planet!
