Your Virtual Guide to Adventure Outdoors!
Your Virtual Guide to Adventure Outdoors!
Nevada
Mtn. Biking Maps
& Trails
A Quick Romp On The Lake Tahoe Rim Trail
A Quick Romp On The Lake Tahoe Rim Trail
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At elevations between 6,300 and 9,400 feet, the Tahoe Rim Trail is an experience in clear blue sky, clean air and solitude. It follows the ridge tops to provide outstanding views of the lake and mountains. Spur trails lead to splendid overlooks. Watson Lake, popular with picnickers, campers and anglers, is found at the end of one rim access trail.
With all but 20 miles complete, the trail is primarily for hikers and equestrians. However, mountain bikers are welcome on nearly half of the trail. The trail passes through six counties in two states, through U.S. Forest Service lands -- including the Desolation Wilderness -- and through Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. It follows a portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
Camping is generally allowed along the trail. However, camping permits are required in U.S. Forest Service land.
Camping in Lake Tahoe Nevada State park is at designated campsites only.
Although the trail is technically open year-round, winter weather is extreme and activity is usually limited to day treks on snowshoes.
Open Year-round ,No Daily Use Fee
Tahoe Rim Trail
P.O. Box 4647
Stateline, NV 89449
702-588-0686
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Death Valley National Park has more than 3.3 million acres of spectacular desert scenery, interesting and rare desert wildlife, complex geology, undisturbed wilderness, and sites of historical and cultural interest. Bounded on the west by 11,049 foot Telescope Peak and on the east by 5,475 foot Dante’s View, Badwater is the lowest point (-282 feet) in the Western Hemisphere.
Visitation:
Visitation is highest from February through mid April. The month of November is also busy. Visitation is lowest in December and January.
Location & Address:
Death Valley National Park
P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
Telephones:
786-2331 Voice
Climate & 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.
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 back country road conditions.
Fees & Rates:
A $10.00 Vehicle Entrance Fee is valid for seven days. Campground Fees range from $10.00 to $16.00 per night.
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 cross-country 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 children's discounts apply.
Lodging:
The Furnace Creek Inn (760) 786-2361 and the Furnace Creek Ranch (760) 786-2345 provide motel accommodations in the Furnace Creek area.
The Stovepipe Wells Village provides motel accommodations and limited camping facilities. (760) 786-2387.
The Panamint Springs Resort offers resort accommodations 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:
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 program. Join a ranger for a living history costumed tour of the historic Scotty's Castle.
Reservations:
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.
Basic Visit:
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:
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.
Park Conditions:
Current information on weather, construction, road closures, and other conditions impacting the visitor is available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Nearby Attractions:
Rhyolite Ghost Town: Rhyolite was the largest town in the Death Valley area during the mining boom of the early 1900's. Included among the ruins are a house built completely of bottles, a train depot, jail, two story schoolhouse, and the ruins of a three story bank building.
Manzanar National Historic Site: Manzanar Relocation Center was one of ten camps at which Japanese-American citizens and Japanese aliens were interned during World War II.
Amargosa Opera House: Each week during the winter season, Marta Becket dances two different programs of original Ballet-Mimes. Call (760) 852-4441 for program dates and times.
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: The 12,736 acre spring-fed wetland and alkaline desert provides habitat for at least 26 types of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Four endemic fishes are currently listed as endangered.
Mojave National Preserve: The 1.4 million acre Mojave National Preserve is the geological, ecological, cultural, historical, recreational, and scenic heart of the Mojave Desert.
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