Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [135]
VISITOR CENTERS
Park headquarters is at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center (☎ 760/786-3200), open daily year-round in Furnace Creek, 15 miles inside the eastern park boundary on Calif. 190. You'll find well-done interpretive exhibits and an hourly slide program as well as an extensive bookstore. There's also a museum, a bookshop, and an information center at Scotty's Castle (☎ 760/786-2392), open daily year-round (see "Historic & Man-Made Attractions," below).
Ranger stations that collect fees and can provide you with information are at Stovepipe Wells (☎ 760/786-2342) and Grapevine (☎ 760/786-2313), as well as in Beatty, Nevada (☎ 775/553-2200).
FEES
Entry to the park for up to 7 days costs $10 per car (or $5 per person on foot, motorcycle, or bike). Be sure to keep the receipt handy for the duration of your stay; you'll be required to show it when passing the entry checkpoint near Scotty's Castle (Grapevine).
There are 10 campgrounds within park boundaries. Four are free; overnight fees elsewhere range from $10 to $23.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS & WARNINGS
It isn't called Death Valley for nothing, but there's little chance that you'll encounter any life-threatening situations, especially if you carefully follow common-sense safety tips. You'll find these and many more in brochures available at the park's visitor centers.
Always carry a supply of water for everyone, including your car. Dehydration is your most urgent concern, particularly in summer, when temperatures routinely reach at least 120°F (49°C) at the arid lower elevations. Recommended minimum amounts are 1 gallon per person per day, twice that if you're planning strenuous activity. Drink often, whether you feel thirsty or not, and be alert for the signs of dehydration: dizziness, headache, and cool, clammy skin. It's a good idea to stow several gallons for the car, even though radiator water is available from tanks placed at strategic points (uphill climbs) along the main roads.
Always carry sunscreen and protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
When driving, turn off your air-conditioning on uphill grades if your car begins overheating. In the event that your car overheats, keep the engine running and turn the car into the breeze. While the car idles, pour sufficient water over the radiator to cool it before removing the cap and refilling the radiator water.
Be alert for wildlife on the road, and don't let yourself be distracted by the scenery. Single-car accidents are the number-one cause of death in Death Valley, and they can occur summer or winter, daylight or nighttime. Many long miles of roads run through the park; though well paved, they often have sharp curves, dips, and steep downhill grades. If your tires wander off the edge of the pavement at high speed, don't jerk the wheel, which can cause you to skid out of control. Instead, gradually slow down until it's safe to bring all four tires back onto the road.
SEASONS & CLIMATE
Although Death Valley is undeniably one of the world's driest deserts, altitudes range from 282 feet below sea level to over 11,000 feet above; therefore, "desert" doesn't always equal "hot." From June to September, temperatures in the valley can soar above 120°F (49°C), making the mountain sections of the park a welcome relief, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. But from November to February, when valley temperatures are comfortable—in the 60s and 70s—many higher areas are frigid and snowy.
SEASONAL EVENTS
The weeklong Death Valley '49ers Encampment is the second week in November. It features a fiddlers' contest, square dancing, tours, a Western art show, and a golf tournament. Contact the visitor center for information.
If You Have Only 1 Day
The distances inside Death Valley National Park are enormous, so this is merely a guideline. If there's a destination you don't want to miss, you'll have to pass up some of the other sites in the interest of time.
If you have only 1 day and want to get a sampling of the park's