Containing, bizzare rock formations, sun-baked sand, huge dunes, and surrounded by moutains, Death Valley is full of extremely varied, interesting geological phenomena; it's not the boring, empty desert that most people imagine it to be. It's also the site of the hottest recorded temperature. You can easily rent a car and make a day trip from Las Vegas to the valley, and enjoy the hiking and available sights, then cool down back in the city that never sleeps.