Milky Way & Star Trails: Death Valley & Alabama Hills Photo Workshop & Photo Tour                

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Milky Way & Star Trails: Death Valley & Alabama Hills

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
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Milky Way & Star Trails: Death Valley & Alabama Hills

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
Upcoming Departures
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Single Supplement: +$1,299.00
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  Deposit: $2,000.00  
Start/End

Las Vegas, NV / Las Vegas, NV

Length

7 Days/6 Nights

Fitness Level

Level 2 - What's This?

Group Size

Up To 7 Guests

Highlights
  • Dark-Sky Destinations: Capture breathtaking images in Death Valley and Alabama Hills, both renowned for minimal light pollution and stunning nightscapes.  

  • Milky Way & Star Trails: Learn expert techniques for photographing the Milky Way, creating mesmerizing star trails, and blending exposures for dynamic astrophotography.  

  • Iconic Landscapes Under the Stars: Shoot dramatic desert features like Badwater Basin, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Mobius Arch, and Zabriskie Point illuminated by the night sky.  

  • Expert Guidance & Hands-On Learning: Improve your skills with guidance from experienced photographers who will help you master composition, exposure settings, and post-processing.  

If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:

If photographing the night sky has been on your bucket list, this is the trip to make it happen. Our Milky Way & Desert Star Trails: Death Valley & Alabama Hills photo workshop offers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the brilliance of the Milky Way and mesmerizing star trails in two of the darkest, most photogenic locations in the United States.

Timed perfectly with the New Moon, this 7-day adventure takes you deep into California’s Death Valley National Park and the rugged Alabama Hills, where crystal-clear skies and minimal light pollution reveal the night sky in all its glory. You’ll master two essential forms of astrophotography—dynamic Milky Way compositions and circular star trail images—while exploring some of the West’s most iconic and otherworldly landscapes.
Two Unique Locations. Endless Photographic Possibilities.

We start in Death Valley, home to some of the darkest skies in North America. From the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin to the rolling Mesquite Sand Dunes and colorful canyons like Artist’s Palette, you’ll have access to spectacular locations that offer stunning foregrounds for your night sky photography. Our years of experience here mean we’ll take you straight to hidden gems like ancient mud cracks and remote playas—places most visitors never find on their own.

Then we head west to the Alabama Hills, a landscape that feels like stepping onto another planet. Think giant granite boulders, natural stone arches, and panoramic views of the Eastern Sierra, including Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. This rugged terrain, combined with the deep darkness of the skies here, makes it a perfect backdrop for astrophotography. Mobius Arch, Lone Pine Peak, and other formations create striking compositions for both Milky Way shots and star trail sequences.


Why This Workshop Is Special

  • Photograph Two Legendary Dark Sky Locations: Death Valley and Alabama Hills are two of the best places in the U.S. for astrophotography—minimal light pollution, expansive skies, and extraordinary landscapes.

  • Master Both Milky Way & Star Trails Techniques: Learn how to plan, shoot, and process both styles of night sky imagery with personalized instruction from professional photographers.

  • Variety of Landscapes & Foregrounds: From salt flats and sand dunes to granite arches and rugged mountains, you’ll have diverse options for foregrounds that take your night images to the next level.

  • All Skill Levels Welcome: Whether you’re shooting the night sky for the first time or you’re an experienced astrophotographer, we’ll help you refine your skills and capture stunning images.

  • Expert Instruction: Our seasoned photography guides offer hands-on guidance in the field and comprehensive post-processing sessions to ensure you leave with incredible images and new skills.

A Dynamic and Comprehensive Night Photography Experience

This trip is about developing your night photography skill set. You’ll learn the entire process, from understanding your camera settings for low-light conditions to blending multiple exposures, noise reduction, and creating star trails that wow. We’ll also cover post-processing techniques, ensuring your Milky Way shots look crisp, clean, and full of detail.

And while the focus is astrophotography, we’ll also have time to explore and photograph dramatic desert landscapes in the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, providing a well-rounded portfolio of both daytime and night scenes from these stunning locations.


The Bottom Line

Milky Way & Desert Star Trails: Death Valley & Alabama Hills is one of our most dynamic and rewarding workshops. Across seven days, you’ll photograph a huge variety of scenes—from cracked desert playas and towering dunes to soaring peaks and stone arches, all under pristine dark skies. You’ll gain the skills and confidence to capture jaw-dropping night images, whether you’re a beginner or looking to elevate your astrophotography game.

What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop

  • All transportation during the workshop

  • All lodging during the workshop

  • All permits and park fees

  • Professional photography guiding and instruction

  • Gratuity for service staff

What's Not Included
  • Transportation to and from Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary

  • Lodging outside workshop dates

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Souvenirs and personal items

  • Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities

  • Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.

 Trip Itinerary 

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 1 (D) – Arrival
We will meet at our hotel in Las Vegas, NV, for an orientation and welcome dinner. We'll discuss our itinerary and prepare for the incredible landscapes and night skies ahead.

Day 2 (B,L,D)
We will start off the trip with an early departure from Las Vegas, NV, and drive ~2 hours to Death Valley National Park. We'll stop at iconic locations such as Zabriskie Point, 20 Mule Team Canyon, Artist’s Palette, or Dante’s View, depending on conditions. After lunch in the park, we’ll check into our hotel in Furnace Creek and take a short break.

At sunset, we’ll venture out to the Mesquite Sand Dunes, capturing the shifting light on the rippled dunes. As darkness sets in, we'll set up for our first night of Milky Way photography over the dunes, where the vast expanse of stars provides a surreal desert backdrop.

Day 3 (B,L,D)
We’ll return to the Mesquite Sand Dunes for a sunrise session, shooting well into the morning as the low-angle light enhances the textures and curves of the sand. After a midday break, we’ll explore the park’s lesser-known spots, such as mudcracks or colorful badlands.

As evening approaches, we’ll travel to a remote location with minimal light pollution for another night of astrophotography, where we’ll capture the Milky Way arching over the dramatic landscapes of Death Valley.

Day 4 (B,L,D)
We’ll begin the day with a sunrise shoot at Badwater Basin, home to vast salt flats and intricate polygon formations. After a morning shoot and another location within the basin, we’ll break for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to the stunning Panamint Valley for sunset, a lesser-visited location with breathtaking playas and mountain backdrops. As night falls, we’ll capture long-exposure shots of the Milky Way reflecting off the salt flats, an otherworldly experience that makes Death Valley one of the best astrophotography locations in the world.

Day 5 (B,L,D)
Our day starts with a sunrise shoot from a mountain overlook, offering sweeping views of Badwater Basin below. If the morning light is still favorable, we’ll return to the Mesquite Sand Dunes for more compositions.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive toward the Alabama Hills and check into our hotel in Lone Pine, CA. As the sun sets, we’ll photograph the iconic Mobius Arch, framing the distant peaks of the Sierra Nevada. When night falls, we’ll set up for a stunning astrophotography session, capturing the Milky Way rising over the rugged rock formations and natural arches of Alabama Hills.

Day 6 (B,L,D)
We'll begin our morning with a spectacular sunrise at Alabama Hills, where we’ll explore different vantage points, including natural arches like Lathe Arch and the Eye of Alabama. After a midday break, we’ll head to Whitney Portal to capture more high-alpine scenery.

As evening arrives, we’ll set up for our final Milky Way shoot, experimenting with different compositions using the dramatic rock formations as foreground elements. This is our chance to capture star trails, time-lapse sequences, and deep-sky astrophotography under some of the darkest skies in the country.

Day 7 (B) – Departure
After one last sunrise shoot in Alabama Hills, we’ll pack up and head back to Las Vegas, NV, concluding an unforgettable adventure of landscape and astrophotography in Death Valley & Alabama Hills.

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.

Physical Requirements 

This trip involves moderate physical activity, with hikes of up to 4 miles per day on varied terrain including rocky paths, sand dunes, and uneven ground. While the hiking is not overly strenuous, guests should be comfortable with longer walks across desert landscapes that can include both rocky and sandy areas. The trip takes place in the heat of the desert, with daytime temperatures reaching high levels, but evenings can be quite cool, so layering is key. There will be some periods of standing or crouching for extended photography sessions, especially under the stars while capturing Milky Way and star trail images.

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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.

- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
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