Visitor Guide Death Valley National Park Winter/Spring Funeral Mountains moonrise at sunset (NPS /Hoerner) Welcome to Your Death Valley Adventure DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK IS THE LARGEST NATIONAL PARK OUTSIDE What’s Inside? of Alaska. Endless exploration and a diversity of experiences await you. Hiking, exploring historic sites, traveling backcountry roads, viewing the night sky— Support Your Park ... 2 these are only a few of the opportunities available. With over 3 million acres of federally designated Wilderness, walk along majestic sand dunes, navigate twisted Safety & slot canyons, climb rocky peaks, stroll along salt flats; a variety of terrains offer Pets ....................... 3 everything from easy to very challenging adventures. Things To See ......... 4 Find us on We want to hear from you! Hiking ................... 5 How did you explore Death Valley? Map .................6 & 7 SHARE WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Biking & @DeathValleyNPS Wilderness ............. 8 Dantes View: Take a Look! Park Resources ....... 9 How did it all begin? Viewpoint Elevation: 5475 ft/1669 m Programs & In 1926, Beatty Fate intervened when Governor He took Governor Scrugham Events .................. 10 businessmen wanted to Scrugham and his men stopped and the businessmen to what is promote Chloride Cliff as the in Shoshone on a trip back from now called Dantes View. Nightlife ............... 11 quintessential view of Death Los Angeles. When they asked The men named it that based Visitor Services ...... 12 Valley and even had support of a prominent Shoshone citizen, on Dante’s trip through Nevada Governor Scrugham to Charles Brown for his opinion, purgatory as befits Death widen the road. Chloride Cliff he said: “I don’t pay much Valley’s other namesakes — (off of Daylight Pass Road) attention to scenery. But I know Devils Golf Course, Coffin Peak, DANTES VIEW was going to be dubbed “The one view that made me stop the Funeral Mountains, etc. Rim of Hell.” and look.” TODAY Enjoy the accessible viewing platform, increased safety, and exhibits Receives over 360,000 visitors a year Hike the route to Coffin Peak or along Dantes Ridge to Mt Perry Great sunset spot Check it out 24 hrs a day View from the Dantes View platform (NPS) Support Your Park Obey the speed limits and other rules of the road. Pets are permitted on roads and developed areas, Do not stop in traffic lanes — pull over and park but prohibited in Wilderness, on trails, and in safely in the shoulder. Drive only on designated buildings. Hundreds of miles of dirt roads are roads. Unsightly tire tracks scar the fragile desert great places for walking pets. Keep pets on a leash landscape for decades. no longer than 6 feet in length. Camp only in established campgrounds or in a It is illegal to discharge a firearm anywhere permitted backcountry area. in Death Valley or to bring one into a federal Check at a ranger station or visitor center for building. Hunting and trapping are illegal within backcountry camping information. the park. Campfires are allowed in established fire pits Feeding animals is illegal and dangerous. only. Gathering firewood is prohibited — wood is Animals will be encouraged to hang out near the scarce. Check for fire restrictions before camping. roads once fed by people, which endangers the animals and visitors. Put garbage where it belongs. Litter in the desert Rocks, plants, animals, and historic objects in spoils the landscape for each person that follows Death Valley are protected just like in a museum. behind you. Vandalism and theft are prohibited. Please recycle in the provided receptacles. Despite being legalized by the State of California Propane cylinder recycle bins are located in most and the State of Nevada, possession or use of campgrounds where you can leave both marijuana is not legal on federal lands, including empty and full canisters. Death Valley National Park. Stay out of closed areas. Mines, service roads, and other areas are closed for your safety and the The use of drones is prohibited. protection of important features. Entrance Fees Stay on Designated Roads Please support your park by paying the park entrance fee at a park visitor center or at one of the automated fee machines placed throughout the park. Already have one of the passes listed below? Enjoy your park! 7-day Passes Annual Passes Vehicle and passengers .............$30 Death Valley Annual Pass ............$55 Motorcycles .............................$25 Interagency Annual Pass .............$80 Individual entering on Interagency Annual Senior Pass bicycle or foot ..........................$15 (for U.S. citizens 62+).....................$20 Lifetime Passes Interagency Annual Military Pass (for active duty and dependents)......Free Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass (for U.S. citizens 62+)...............$80 Other passes honored Van Interagency Lifetime Access Pass 4th Grade (Every Kid in a Park), stuck (for U.S. citizens with a disability)..Free Volunteer, Golden Age, and Golden on the salt Access Passes. flat after illegally driving off designated roadways (NPS) The fees you pay when visiting Death Valley National Park make a difference! Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Why can’t I drive off established roads? the park uses fee money to fund critical projects that improve visitor services and protect natural and cultural resources in the park such as: y It’s illegal. Penalties can include fines and jail time. y Repairing Scotty’s Castle and restoring visitor access after a y It destroys Death Valley’s scenic vistas. Death Valley attracts visitors devastating flood in 2015. from around the world to see this unique environment. Tire tracks mar y Providing education programs that reach thousands of students. the landscape and some take decades to heal, even if they are raked out. y Improving accessibility for visitors with disabilities at Dantes View y Towing is expensive. If a vehicle gets stuck off the road in Death through a partnership with the Fund for People in Parks and the Death Valley, towing will cost you an average of $2,000. Valley Natural History Association. y It wastes government funds. Rangers regularly organize volunteer y Maintaining and repairing campgrounds and park structures. brigades to repair damage from off-road driving. Organizing, housing, y Providing emergency medical services. and supervising these groups costs money! Damage done in a few minutes takes these groups days to rehabilitate. Death Valley Natural History Association: Park Bookstore y Death Valley’s community of visitors is upset by off-road Since 1954, the Death Valley driving. After a one incident, over 300 people posted comments on Natural History Association social media condemning the actions of the thoughtless driver. (DVNHA) has been supporting Death Valley National Park. Whether you choose to become a member, make a donation, or simply shop with us, you're contributing to the visitor experience. The proceeds of your purchases benefit education and research in Death Valley Park Bookstore National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife (NPS) Refuge. Thank you for your support. Located at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center • DVNHA . ORG Damage from a vehicle driving off the roadway (NPS) Safety PLAN AHEAD FLASH FLOODS Know road and weather conditions. Take Rain is scarce here, but when it comes, it a good map everywhere you go. When often leads to dangerous flash floods. During traveling off paved roads or into the rain, avoid hiking in canyons and be prepared backcountry, call someone at home and tell to move to higher ground. While driving, be them specifically where you are going. Free alert for water running across roadways. Stop backcountry permits are available, but not and look before attempting to cross. Flood required, at the visitor center. We can find waters damage the roadway and carry rocks you faster if we know where to look. and debris just below the clouded surface. Flash floods generally subside in a few hours. EVALUATE YOUR GEAR Remember, “turn around, don’t drown.” Do you have the appropriate vehicle, tires, tools, maps, and skills for your route? Bring HEAT & DEHYDRATION food, water, and other essentials for several If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or get a days, even if you’re planning a much shorter headache, get out of the sun and to a cool visit. In your car, carry at least one gallon place immediately. Drink plenty of water (4 liters) of water per person per day, plus and dampen clothing to lower your body extra water for emergencies. temperature. TECHNOLOGY & PHONES WILDLIFE Devices are great, but they can be deadly to Many visitors might be worried about large Rangers rescue off trail hiker near Golden Canyon (NPS /Dan Kish) rely upon. Cellphone service is very limited in animals such as mountain lions, but they the park. GPS devices frequently tell visitors avoid humans and are rarely seen. A more AVERAGE TEMPERATURES to take “shortcuts” onto unmaintained or realistic danger is placing your hands or feet Month Maximum Minimum even closed roads. Use maps, a compass, and where you can’t see, or turning over a rock. January 67° F (19° C) 40° F (4° C) common sense as your primary navigational Snakes, scorpions, spiders, or other wildlife February 73° F (23° C) 46° F (8° C) tools, and use the technology as a backup. might be sheltered there. For your safety and the animals’ safety, leave rocks where you March 82° F (27° C) 55° F (13° C) PREPARE FOR BREAKDOWNS find them. April 90° F (32° C) 62° F (17° C) In case of vehicle trouble, stay with your May 100° F (38° C) 73° F (23° C) vehicle. You’ll have shade and be easier to MINE HAZARDS June 110° F (43° C) 81° F (27° C) find. If you’re headed onto dirt roads, plan Do not enter mine tunnels or shafts.