Death Valley question

M

mainerunr

New member
OK, so I put this in OT because it isn't 4R related but some of you must be out near Death Valley.

Flying to Vegas next month and heading up to Beatty for a couple days to check out what we can of Death Valley. Based on the NPS map, there are a lot of roads still closed after the flash flooding in August and September(?).

Any advice on what to see that is accessible with a rental car (gonna be a Rogue or Rav4 I suspect). My GF really wanted to see Racetrack Playa but that doesn't seem like an option, even if we rented a Jeep in Furnace Creek since the road to it is closed. (Based on NPS comments, a rental car isn't recommended even if the road was open)...

I dont mind dirt roads but obviously nothing too serious as it is going to be a crappy small SUV without much clearance and with street tires.

We are also planning on hitting Zion one day and Bryce Canyon the next. Maybe taking a long day and heading to the South Rim.

I did tell her maybe we will have to drive out there in a couple years after I get my 4R and get some mods done (lift, maybe 285's, skids and sliders). It's about 3000 miles from here but it would be one heck of a road trip...
 
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Sounds like you will be wanting to stick to the central and eastern valley, so I’ll keep my focus there. DVNP is a far flung region with huge variations in elevation, weather, topography, flora and fauna. It’s a large place that requires multiple visits to see it all.

I’d recommend keeping an eye on the DVNP website for road info and suggestions to visit.

Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Dante’s View. Due to elevation, will be chilly and might be windy.

Artists Drive.

Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells.

Visitor Center at Furnace Creek.

Badwater.

If you have the time, a drive up into the pine forests just west of the valley to see the historic charcoal kilns is a treat. Probably snow up there by now. Paved most of the way with several miles of maintained dirt the remainder.

Not far from Pahrump is the China Ranch date farm.

China Ranch Dates, Inc.

For the unusual, stop by Death Valley Junction, which was a major railroad stop in history. Though Marta Becket died several years ago, she danced nightly even to a theater of empty seats for decades.

Marta Becket's Amargosa Opera House and Hotel

Marta Becket's Amargosa Opera House and Hotel

First link is about Marta Becket, the other about the opera house and tour info.

Biggest issues with rental cars are tires. I’d keep them on the pavement. Look at the fine print of the rental contract. Some say that off road use will void something. Off road often means maintained dirt roads. AWD rental cars such as the Rogue often are really 2WD. I’ve heard of rental companies disabling drive to the second axle.

The north highway accessing The Racetrack is still closed for the foreseeable future. I wouldn’t take a rental in there, but they often are found. The road is notoriously washboarded and often has large gravel.

The road in from Beatty has recently been reopened, though parts of it are still graded gravel.

Have fun!
 
Shame Titus Canyon is still closed, that's usually a very easy dirt road even for unibody crossovers. Beautiful drive and a slot canyon at the end to boot!
 
Forgot about Titus. Gorgeous drive, highly recommended. But alas, still closed.

The Echo Canyon road is now open, an old mining camp at the end with standing cabins and mill equipment left.

Like I originally said, DVNP is huge. In time all suggestions will fill up a two week vacation and beyond! :banana:
 
I've been all over that place and still have so much to see. It will be many years before much of that park reopens unfortunately.
 
It used to be my backyard playground for several decades and I’ve still not seen everything. I usually avoided the main touristy stuff and hung out, camped and explored around the fringes and off the beaten path.
 
Since you're going to a bunch of National Parks, if you don't have one yet, get an America the Beautiful Pass ($80).
Use it at these locations:
Death Valley
Lake Mead
Zion
Bryce Canyon
Lake Powell
Grand Canyon

Since you're driving from Vegas to Beatty, think about making a stop at Ash Meadows NWR and check out the cool blue springs. Free to get in.

If going from Utah to the South Rim, I assume you will be going through Page, AZ.
If you have half a day, Check out Antelope Canyon, best to Kayak in from Antelope Point Marina.

Quick stop at Horseshoe Bend, parking lot is on city land so they charge $10 for parking.
 
mainerunr said:
OK, so I put this in OT because it isn't 4R related but some of you must be out near Death Valley.

Flying to Vegas next month and heading up to Beatty for a couple days to check out what we can of Death Valley. Based on the NPS map, there are a lot of roads still closed after the flash flooding in August and September(?).

Any advice on what to see that is accessible with a rental car (gonna be a Rogue or Rav4 I suspect). My GF really wanted to see Racetrack Playa but that doesn't seem like an option, even if we rented a Jeep in Furnace Creek since the road to it is closed. (Based on NPS comments, a rental car isn't recommended even if the road was open)...

I dont mind dirt roads but obviously nothing too serious as it is going to be a crappy small SUV without much clearance and with street tires.

We are also planning on hitting Zion one day and Bryce Canyon the next. Maybe taking a long day and heading to the South Rim.

I did tell her maybe we will have to drive out there in a couple years after I get my 4R and get some mods done (lift, maybe 285's, skids and sliders). It's about 3000 miles from here but it would be one heck of a road trip...
Click to expand...

Yes it would.

One thing told to me on my first trip to Death Valley...most deaths are not caused by the heat, scorpions or snakes...it is caused by vehicle rollovers. If you want to enjoy the scenery...stop the car. Don't try to admire (and there is a lot) the view while on the road. Have fun!
 
BlackCloud said:
I've been all over that place and still have so much to see. It will be many years before much of that park reopens unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Right, the whole park is bigger than the state of Rhode Island, I believe. I've been there 3 times and probably only saw about 1/4 of it (probably less)...and this is well before some of the roads were washed out (Scotty's Castle).
 
Awesome, thanks for the input. Definitely some things we had not considered (and confirmation of what I though about others).

I think the plan is 2 days at Death Valley, a 2 day trip from Vegas to Zion then to Bryce Canyon (days determined by best weather) and probably a separate trip from Vegas to the South Rim (although that could change and we might go South Rim from Bryce Canyon). Not sure we will have time for the South Rim, that might need to be a separate trip.

We expect it to be cold and windy at Bryce Canyon and will be prepared for that so if we run into that elsewhere it will be fine.
 
Thanks. Hoping others will post first hand intel on the condition of the trails. I’m planning on a week in DV sometime in January doing some light wheeling/camping. So, any info is greatly appreciated!


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