Part of Candy B. Harrington’s popular national park series, this handy resource offers detailed access information on Death Valley National Park for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. This access guide contains:
- Access details on all trails, attractions, and scenic drives
- Detailed access reviews and photos of all in-park lodging options
- Updated information on Scotty’s Castle restoration
- Accessible attractions in gateway cities
- Access upgrades at Furnace Creek Inn
- Access details of all restaurants in the park and on Timbisha Shoshone land
- Fly-drive resources, including the location of nearby airports, and the availability of accessible van rentals
- Barrier-free camping choices, and accessible picnic areas
- The inside scoop on the best wheelchair-accessible viewpoints
- Access information on public showers, gas station and laundry facilities
- Information on special access passes and permits
This guidebook offers hard-to-find access information that will help wheelchair-users and slow walkers plan an accessible visit to Death Valley National Park. A must-read if Death Valley is on your travel radar, Barrier-Free Travel; Death Valley for Wheelers and Slow Walkers is a great resource for seniors, parents with stroller-aged children, Baby Boomers, folks who just like to take things a little slower and anybody who uses a cane, walker, wheelchair or scooter.
Preface
A Valley of Life
Death Valley is brimming with life, and that’s something that the native people innately recognize. The Timbisha Shoshone do not equate their home with death, as they believe the Creator filled the land with all the resources necessary for their comfort and contentment. In fact, they eschew the park’s contemporary name, and instead call their homeland Tümpisa — their name for the indigenous red-ochre earth that’s believed to strengthen their spirituality.
Death Valley is indeed filled with life, but you have to slow down and look for it. On my last visit I found Salt Creek filled with pupfish, and colorful spring blooms bursting forth alongside the park roads. The ground near the Grapevine Ranger station was literally covered with tiny caterpillars; and let’s not even talk about the quail, rabbits and burros I spotted as we wandered through the park.
This living desert is also a land in transition, as Mother Nature is still molding the landscape. You’ll see evidence of that transition in the shifting sand dunes and the eroding rock formations in the park. Stop and listen at Devils Golf Course and you’ll hear little pops and cracks — that’s the sound of billions of tiny salt crystals bursting apart as the heat causes them to expand and contract. And over at Artists Palette the heat also alters the volcanic minerals on the hillside and provides a rainbow of colors.
And although the natural environment is in a constant state of flux, wheelchair-access in the park is on a straightforward upward course, as the powers that be continue to plan and implement access upgrades. From the access improvements at Badwater and Dantes View to the addition of accessible casitas at the Inn at Death Valley, this seemingly desolate environment is actually quite welcoming to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
And that’s the main reason that I wrote this book — to dispel the myth that Death Valley National Park is an inhospitable environment for wheelchair-users and slow walkers; and to give folks the tools and information they need to plan an accessible visit.
Part of that planning involves getting to the park, which is why I included some attractions and worthwhile stops in the surrounding communities. Like many national park trips, a Death Valley visit is usually a road trip, and there are some fun and accessible things to see along the way. As they say, getting there is half the fun.
Once you arrive though, you’ll definitely want to stay in the park, which is why I’ve included photos and access details on all the in-park lodging options. Rest assured we spent a good deal of time inspecting and photographing the accessible rooms, so you can make an appropriate choice.
Of course access upgrades are continually added to the park trails and facilities, so if you happen upon a new addition, let me know so I can share it with everybody.
Oh and here’s an interesting Death Valley tidbit for my grammatically inclined friends. You will probably notice that some site names – like Artists Drive, Dantes View and Devils Golf Course – lack the apostrophes to make them grammatically correct. That’s because when they were named it wasn’t possible to get apostrophes into officially recognized place names. And although it pains me as a writer, I’m sticking with tradition and keeping the grammatically incorrect official names in the book.
In the end, a trip to Death Valley is a glorious adventure. I have fond memories of one girlfriends getaway Death Valley adventure in particular. We had a heck of a time getting the gang together because of our busy schedules, and we ended up slating our Death Valley campout for late May. The temperatures topped 120 degrees during those fateful days, but we persevered and drank copious quantities of water. We were the only people in the Stovepipe Wells Campground, and although the bartender at the Badwater Saloon called us “those crazy city girls”, I like to think we were trendsetters. Today folks flock to Death Valley in the summer, just to experience those same extreme temperatures. We had a great time that May — we even got invited to an employee party — and we most certainly made a lot of memories.
I’m sure you’ll have a grand wheelchair-accessible Death Valley adventure of your own. So start packing, and have a great trip. And let me know how it goes.
Candy Harrington
candy@EmergingHorizons.com
www.EmergingHorizons.com
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Contents
- Admission, Reservations and Park Passes
- Admission Fees
- Park Passes
- Information
- Authorized Park Concessionaires
- What is an Accessible Guestroom?
- What is an Accessible Trail?
- Service Animals in National Parks
- Death Valley National Park
- The Basics
- Road Conditions and Operating Seasons
- Altitude
- Airport
- Amtrak
- Connectivity
- Wheelchairs
- Ranger Programs
- Camping
- Pets
- Furnace Creek – Badwater
- Attractions
- Trails
- Picnic Areas
- Scenic Drives
- Lodging
- Dining
- Services
- Stovepipe Wells – Emigrant Canyon
- Attractions
- Trails
- Picnic Areas
- Lodging
- Dining
- Services
- Scotty’s Castle
- Attractions
- Picnic Areas
- Panamint Springs
- Attractions
- Lodging
- Dining
- Services
- Death Valley Resources
- Gateway Community Attractions
- East
- Las Vegas
- Amargosa Valley
- Death Valley Junction
- Beatty
- West
- Bishop
- Independence
- Lone Pine
- Ridgecrest
- Trona
- South
- Barstow
- Baker
- Access Resources
Wheelchair-Accessible Death Valley Itineraries
Whether it’s a quick day trip from Las Vegas, or a week long adventure in the desert, there are a number of ways to enjoy Death Valley National Park. Here are a few wheelchair-accessible Death Valley Itineraries, which can easily be tweaked to accommodate different schedules.
One Day
Even though Las Vegas is in the middle of nowhere, it’s still possible to take a day trip to the national park from Sin City. That said, it will be a long day, as it’s a two-hour drive each way. Still it’s a bucket-list item for many Las Vegas visitors; so reserve an accessible rental van, pick up a deli sandwich for a picnic lunch, and head west on Highway 160 for an unforgettable day trip.
After entering the park at the Shoshone Entrance, follow Highway 178 around to Badwater Road. From there it’s about a 30-mile drive to Badwater — the lowest point in North America. Follow the accessible boardwalk out to the salt flats and take a gander up at Dantes View — a popular overlook that’s perched some 5,000 feet above the desert floor. And don’t forget to take a selfie at the iconic Badwater sign.
Next, head up to Furnace Creek and check out the Borax Museum, which offers an interesting perspective on the mining history of the area. Stop and enjoy your deli sandwich at the Furnace Creek Picnic Area, which is located near the gas station on Highway 190, then head up to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Afterwards, check out the old mining equipment at Harmony Borax Works, and then take a short stroll on the accessible boardwalk at Salt Creek. To complete the loop, head over to Beatty on Mud Canyon Road, then hop on Highway 95 and return to Las Vegas. And if you have a few extra minutes, take a short detour to the ghost town of Rhyolite near Beatty.
Three Days
Three days is a more reasonable time frame for a Death Valley visit, which can begin at any park entrance. Not only is this a good option for those who want to spend more time in the park, but it also makes a nice detour on an Interstate 40 road trip.
The best place to begin your visit is at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center – stop in and get the lay of the land and pick up a park map. Additionally, a stop at the Borax Museum and Harmony Borax works is in order – just to get a historic look at the park. Next head over to Timbisha Village Tacos for an Indian taco, burrito or taco salad for lunch. Then spend the afternoon down on Badwater Road at the Devils Golf Course and Badwater. Finish off the day with a scenic drive through the colorful mountains on Artists Drive. Finally, spend the night in an accessible room at the Ranch at Furnace Creek or the Inn at Furnace Creek.
On day two, head on up to Stovepipe Wells after breakfast. Stop at the wheelchair-accessible Salt Creek Boardwalk along the way, and look for the endangered pupfish in the water. Up near Stovepipe Wells, check out the Devils Cornfield and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, before stopping in for lunch – and maybe an adult beverage – at the Badwater Saloon. Take an afternoon drive over to Panamint Springs, and then continue on to Father Crowley Point for panoramic view of Rainbow Canyon. Spend the night in a wheelchair-accessible room at Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel.
Linger over breakfast on your departure day, then head down to Zabriskie Point for a panoramic view of Death Valley. Continue east on highway 190, then take a short detour on 20 Mule Team Canyon, for a scenic drive through the colorful eroded badlands. Finally, follow Dantes View Road out to the overlook for a commanding view of Badwater Basin, the Panamint Range and Telescope Peak, before you exit the park and continue onward.
Five Days or More
If you have the time for a more leisurely visit, then check out some of the nearby attractions that are often overlooked by visitors. Add one or more of these one-day itineraries to your core three-day Death Valley itinerary.
Start the day with a visit to Rhyolite, then continue on to Beatty to check out the Beatty Historical Museum. In the afternoon stop at the Ash Meadow Wildlife Refuge, then circle around and visit the Armargosa Opera House before returning to the park.
Pick up a deli sandwich in the morning, then head up to Ubehebe Crater. If Scotty’s Castle is open, stop in for a tour. Afterwards head over to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch, and then explore the three accessible refuge trails.
Spend the whole day at the Mojave Nature Preserve, and explore Zzyzx Road, Kelso Depot, and the scenic drive along the way. Don’t forget to stop at the famous Baker Thermometer on your way back to the park.
Pre- or Post-Trip Fun
If you have some extra time on your road trip, consider stopping in Ridgecrest for a few days to explore the surrounding area. From there you can plan day trips to the ghost town of Ballarat, the Alabama Hills Movie Road and the Lone Pine Museum of Movie History, the Laws Railroad Museum, and the site of the former Manzanar interment camp. It’s a great pre or post-Death Valley travel plan.
Author Q & As
Death Valley sounds like such a barren place to go. Why would someone want to visit this national park? And what does it have to offer wheelchair-users and slow walkers?
As stark as the name sounds, Death Valley is actually a very scenic place. It got it’s unfortunate moniker from the 49ers who trekked across it on the way to the California Gold Rush. Thankfully today we have cars, so it’s not as foreboding of a journey. Aside from the lowest spot in the US – Badwater – there are lots of scenic drives, a level trail to the sand dunes, and even an accessible boardwalk over a seasonal creek in the park. It’s a photographers delight; and since for the most part it’s flat, it’s also quite doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. And with accessible lodging in the park, you can spend several days there.
How many days should I plan to stay in Death Valley?
Although Death Valley is doable on a day trip from Las Vegas, it will be a long day. I suggest spending at least three days there; and if you have five or more days, there are several scenic spots to explore just outside the park. Here are some suggested itineraries .
What is the best time to visit Death Valley?
It used to be that summer was off limits in the park because of the sweltering heat; however, some people now purposely go there in the summer just to experience the extreme weather conditions. That said, winter is high season, and a welcome respite for snowbirds. Spring and Fall are shoulder seasons, and are both quite pleasant, although you may catch some rain in early spring.
When do the wild flowers bloom in Death Valley?
It’s hard to pick an exact date for the desert blooms, as it’s totally weather dependent. Generally speaking they start to spring forth about two weeks after the last heavy spring rain. That’s usually in late February, except in years when we have late – and continuous – rains, like in 2020.
Are their accessible lodging options in Death Valley?
There are a number of wheelchair-accessible Death Valley lodging options. All three Death Valley properties – The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley and Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel have wheelchair-accessible rooms with either a roll-in shower or a tub/shower combination.
How about accessible campsites? Can I take my RV there?
Yes, several Death Valley campgrounds offer wheelchair-accessible campsites, but your best bet is Furnace Creek Campground. It’s the only National Park Service campground in the park that accepts advance reservations. This campground also has accessible sites with hook-up for RVs.
Where is the best accessible spot to watch the sunset in Death Valley?
There are several places to enjoy the sunset in Death Valley, but one of my favorites is at Artists Palette, which is located along Artists Drive. It’s just as colorful as the name implies, and at sunset it’s absolutely magical.
I heard that Scotty’s Castle is closed due to flooding. Are they planning to reopen it anytime soon? Will it be accessible?
Unfortunately Scotty’s Castle sustained major damage in the October 2015 floods – over $47 million of damages to be more precise. That was followed by several years of more flooding and a fire that destroyed the visitor center. Repairs are currently underway, and it’s hoped that it will reopen in late 2025; however that date is funding dependent. Previously the Scotty’s Castle tour offered stair lift access to the second floor, and it’s expected it will have at least the same level of access when it reopens.
What is your favorite thing to do in Death Valley?
That’s a hard question. Of course I love the hikes and the natural beauty of the desert, but I also enjoyed learning about the borax mining boom at the Borax Museum, and then checking out some of the old mining equipment over at Harmony Borax Works. It took me right back to those old Death Valley Days TV shows.
Death Valley seems rather remote. Are there any other natural sites within a four hour drive that I can visit and maybe make it in to a mini road trip?
Death Valley makes a good detour on any Interstate 40 road trip. Just take Interstate 15 to Baker and head north – after you see the thermometer of course – and enter the park through the Shoshone Entrance, about 85 miles away. Make sure and stop at the Mojave National Preserve too, before you head up to the park. There are a number of natural sights near the park, including Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge and the Desert National Wildlife Refuge that make great day trips. There’s really no shortage of natural beauty nearby.
What’s your next book project?
Currently I’m working on Barrier-Free Travels; California National Parks for Wheelers and Show Walkers. It will highlight all of the state’s national parks, provide necessary access details, and give readers the tools to plan a California National Park road trip. The book is scheduled to be released in 2021.
