Death Valley
Long Day Ride
This is one of my favorites. We usually make this ride in the spring when there are wildflowers in bloom. Temperatures can be extreme on the route and layers are a must. I’ve ridden on days when I’ve gone from the low 40s to the upper 80s. Spring and fall are the best seasons to ride, temperature wise. After April the temperature can be prohibitively hot until late September. December through early February the weather in the area can be tricky. This is usually the windier and rainier time of the year. Temps during this time of the year can go from below freezing to the upper 80s.
Taking off from Las Vegas head north along US95. Be sure to gas up before you leave town. You get a nice four lane divided highway for the first 50 miles or so. There is nothing exciting about this road. You have the Spring Mountains on your left and the Sheep Mountains on your right. As you pass through Indian Springs take a quick glance at the Air Force Base. This is the home of the Predator. The large hangar off by itself on the right is the main facility.
Continue north and you’ll see the turn-off for Mercury. This is the Nevada Test Site, where all the nuclear testing takes place. There are no services and you can’t leave the highway any way. If you are interested in what goes on at the test site, visit the Nuclear Testing Museum on E. Flamingo in Las Vegas.
Another dozen or so miles you will come to the turn off for Death Valley. (Don’t turn down Sate Highway 160. That will take you to Pahrump.) State Highway 373 will take you through the Amargosa Valley to Death Valley Junction. Along the way you will pass the Longstreet Hotel and Casino. This is a small casino but offers a nice coffee shop and is a great place to stay if you are planning on spending a couple of days exploring Death Valley.
Everything from here is well marked. As you enter the park, you will see the pull off to pay your entrance fee. This is done on the honor system. I carry a National Park Pass, but most people will stop to pay the fee. You can also pay at the main visitor center and museum.
Just past this point is the turn off for Dante’s View. This is a spectacular overlook just above Badwater and well worth the short detour.
Continue down the road to Furnace Creek. This is the main visitor center and has all the facilities you’ll need. I usually try to have lunch here. Most days the wait isn’t too bad and it makes a nice break. You can also visit the gift shop for souvenirs. You should gas up here. It is a long stretch to the next gas stop. Camping is also available if you want to spend extra time here.
Head south from Furnace Creek into the main part of the valley. Wind gusts can cause dust storms, so be careful. It’s also significantly warmer here. As you ride along take time for the quick loop along Artist’s Drive. The colors are spectacular and there are some fun, tight twisties.
On down the road be sure to stop at Badwater. You are at the lowest point in the US. It’s cool to be able to look up on the rocks across the road to see sea level marked way up above you.
From here to Shoshone, the road is just plain fun. Watch out for loose gravel and sand, but rock and roll as you ride out of the valley then up and out of the park. At Shoshone take the road back to Pahrump. You’ll want to gas up in Pahrump.
Turn right on 160 to head back to Vegas. You can read about this road on my Pahrump page. When you get back to town you will know you’ve taken a ride, but you should have some great memories and pictures.
Additional information: Death Valley National Park Website
