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Trails Illustrated Map2 - Death Valley NM
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Park Details
Location Information
Address:
Death Valley National Park
P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
Telephone:
(760) 786-2331 Voice
Directions:
The park is transected from east to west by California Highway 190. On the east in Nevada, Highway 95 parallels the park from north to south with connecting highways at Scotty's Junction (State Route 267), Beatty (State Route 374), and Lathrop Wells (State Route 373). South of the park, Interstate 15 passes through Baker, California on its way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. State Route 127 travels north from Baker to Shoshone (State Route 178) and Death Valley Junction (Highway 190). West of the park, State Route 178 passes through Ridgecrest and Trona on its way north to a junction with 190. Also to the west, Highway 395 parallels the park from north to south with connections to Highway 190 at Olancha and Lone Pine.
Transportation:
Major airlines and bus lines serve Las Vegas, Nevada.
Express Tours of Las Vegas offers a shuttle service which leaves the Best Value Inn on East Tropicana Avenue every day at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, and leaves the Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley on its return to Las Vegas at 10:25 am and 3:50 pm. For a complete schedule, call Express Tours at (702) 739-8120.
It is a two and a half hour drive from Las Vegas by automobile. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for backcountry travel. Check at the park visitor center or with a park ranger for current backcountry road conditions.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Vehicle Entrance Fee:
$10.00 - valid for seven days.
Campground Fees:
Range from $10.00 to $16.00 per night.
Reservations for special tours or guides for groups are available if staff is available. Make requests as far in advance as possible by telephone or in writing.
Organized tour groups may make reservations for Scotty's Castle tours. Call (760) 786-2392 for further information.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Death Valley is generally sunny, dry, and clear throughout the year. The winters are mild with occasional winter storms, but summers are extremely hot and dry. Summer high temperatures commonly run above 120 degrees fahrenheit. Comfortable clothing providing sun protection and a broad brimmed hat are recommended in summer. Winter requires warmer clothing and light to medium jackets. Sturdy walking shoes are important year round.
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Centers & Exhibits:
Located in the center of the park, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, a visitor information desk, and the Death Valley Natural History Association book store. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is open daily in summer from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is open daily in winter from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There is a contact and fee collection station at Stovepipe Wells Village with a Natural History Association book sales outlet.
The tour ticket office at Scotty's Castle also has a book sales outlet and a small museum with displays from the Castle collection.
Roads & Trails:
California Highway 190, the Badwater Road, the Scotty's Castle Road, and paved roads to Dante's View and Wildrose provide access to major scenic viewpoints and historic points of interest. More than 350 miles of unpaved and 4-wheel drive roads provide access to wilderness hiking, camping, scenery, and historical sites.
There are hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties, but most backcountry areas are accessible only by crosscountry hiking. There are literally thousands of hiking possibilities.
Ranger Programs:
During the peak season, November through April, ranger guided hikes, talks, and evening programs are presented. Pick up a weekly schedule of programs at the visitor center.
Costumed living history tours of Scotty's Castle are available every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Limited to a maximum of 19 people per tour, tickets are available on the day of the tour on a first come first served basis at the Castle ticket Office. The tour is $8.00 per adult. Golden Age Card and childrens discounts apply.
Lodging:
The Furnace Creek Inn (760) 786-2361 and the Furnace Creek Ranch (760) 786-2345 provide motel accomodations in the Furnace Creek area.
The Stovepipe Wells Village provides motel accomodations and limited camping facilities. (760) 786-2387.
The Panamint Springs Resort offers resort accomodations and camping. (702) 482-7680 Voice
(702) 482-7682 FAX
Camping:
The Furnace Creek Campground (open all year) is part of the Destinet system and is the only campground that takes reservations. Call 1-800-365-2267. ($16.00 per night)
Texas Springs and Sunset campgrounds (October through April) in the Furnace Creek area are both first come first served with self registration. ($10.00 per night)
The Stovepipe Wells campground (October through April) is also first come first served as is the Mesquite Springs campground (open all year) at the north end of the park near Scotty's Castle. Both campgrounds are $10.00 per night.
Food & Supplies:
The Furnace Creek Ranch and the Stovepipe Wells Village both provide small camper stores with staple goods and limited supplies.
Other Concessions:
The Fred Harvey Company, out of the Furnace Creek Ranch, offers seasonal horseback riding, and bus tours to Scotty's Castle and other points of interest.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Recommended Activities:
Sightseeing by personal auto and 4-wheel drive (established roadways only), hiking, biking and mountain biking (established roadways only), and camping. Join a ranger November through April for a talk, walk, guided hike, or evening progam. Join a ranger for a living history costumed tour of the historic Scotty's Castle.
Subsidiary Pages:
Backcountry Hikes
Backcountry Roads
Day Hikes
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Scotty's Castle
Telescope & Wildrose Peak
Visitation
Visitation is highest from February through mid April. The month of November is also busy. Visitation is lowest in December and January.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
The basic road tour of scenic sights in the Furnace Creek area takes one full day. The tour of Scotty's Castle requires a half day. Allow one full lifetime to explore all of this huge desert park!
Special Events Programs
Special Events:
The Death Valley 49er's annual encampment takes place the second weekend in November. The encampment draws thousands of campers to programs, sing alongs, art shows, square dances, and backcountry tours.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Scotty's Castle
Telescope & Wildrose Peak
Additional Information
Write -- Superintendent, Death Valley National Park, P.O. 579, Death Valley, CA, 92328 or call (760) 786-2331
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