Lights, Camera, Vacation! Star Wars enthusiasts (and self-proclaimed Lucas Films nerds) are keenly aware that in one movie, Death Valley doubles as “Tatooine.” Movie fans have been vacationing at The Oasis at Death Valley for decades — some for the sole purpose — of visiting six cinematic location sites “in a galaxy far, far, away” from the 1977 movie Star Wars “A New Hope.” That’s precisely the year a famous movie director came to this true American Oasis comprised of 3.4 million square miles of desert, oasis and mountain national park to film and transport people to another universe.
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For those seeking their own taste of Tatooine, Death Valley National Park welcomes fans of the famous Star Wars movie series. Filmed scenes within the park are featured in both “A New Hope” (Episode IV) and “Return of the Jedi” (Episode VI), according to the National Parks Service’s website. Download the free NPS App to enjoy a guided driving audio tour of the spectacular Death Valley locations featured in Star Wars.
A galaxy not too far away
A bonus for visitors staying at The Oasis at Death Valley is employee-relayed stories about the filming of Star Wars Episodes IV and VI and their exact locations. These include the breathtakingly and picturesque locations throughout Death Valley National Park including Dante’s View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Desolations Canyon, Artist’s Drive and Golden Canyon — all just a quick 20-to-40-minute drive from the Resort — the only resort in Death Valley National Park.
Just two hours from Las Vegas through the desert and a little more than four hours from Los Angeles, the nearest town is at least one hour’s drive, with no traffic lights.
A map to the stars
And if you want to explore our universe, this is the place — it’s one of the only gold-tier designated International Dark Sky Parks in the United States where stargazers can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
In celebration of the iconic Hollywood franchise, The Oasis at Death Valley crafted an exclusive map for guests leading them to the Star Wars filming locations — easily accessible via car.
While Death Valley may seem like another universe to vacationers, those in the know have also found an “oasis-like planet” that is the luxurious AAA Four-Diamond The Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly The Ranch at Death Valley both part of the recent $250 million renaissance at the Oasis at Death Valley. Death Valley is usually sunny (there is almost no rain or bugs!).
Visitors will be met with massive spring-fed swimming pools averaging a comfortable 87 degrees year-round, the lowest USGA golf course on earth, cascading bougainvillea-adorned gardens, golf, tennis, horseback riding, numerous restaurants, a spring-watered date palm grove, a general store, post office and an old-fashioned ice cream shop. With ample lush lawns to run and play or do just nothing but take in the stunning scenery during the day and the stars at night. There is a resort, two hotels, 22 private casitas and 80 cozy cottages.