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Death Valley Scenic Byway
A gateway to over 3.3 million acres of
spectacular scenery, expansive vistas,
rare desert wildlife and historical and
cultural sites, this byway travels through
sculpted hills and shifting sand dunes
and even dips below sea level. Death
Valley features the lowest point and the
hottest place in North America.
Length: 81.5 miles / 130.4 km
Time
to
Allow:
Two hours to drive or 3.5
hours to enjoy the entire
byway.
Local Information
Death Valley National Park
760-786-3200
Visitor Services
Fees
There is an entrance fee to the national park.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities
Death Valley Scenic Byway accommodates bicycles. Visitors have
opportunities to get out of their vehicles at several vista points and scenic
overlooks (i.e., Father Crowley Point) and hiking trails (i.e., trailhead leading
to Darwin Falls). However, there is not a separate bicycle/pedestrian lane
along the byway.
Camping
There are 11 campgrounds located in the Death Valley National Park. Nine of
them are operated by the National Park Service, and the other two are
privately owned. Most of them have flush toilets and water.
Furnace Creek, Mesquite Springs, Wildrose, Panamint Springs, and Emigrant
are open year-round. Texas Spring, Sunset, and Stove Pipe Wells are open in
the winter only. Mahogany Flat and Thorndike are open in the summer only.
Food
Restaurants are available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells Village, and
Panamint Springs along the byway and at Scotty's Castle in Death Valley
National Park.
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Death Valley Scenic Byway
Gasoline
Gas is available at Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Scotty's Castle, and
Furnace Creek. Mechanic services can be found in Furnace Creek.
Information
Travelers are encouraged to stop and spend time at the Visitor Center in
Furnace Creek, where exhibits, audiovisual programs, and publications on the
rich cultural and natural history of this area can be enjoyed.
Lodging
Lodging is available at the area's private resorts and motels at the Furnace
Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Ranch, Panamint Springs Resort, and from the park
concessionaires at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Phone
Public phones are available along this byway.
Restrooms
There are toilet facilities along this byway.
Retail
The Furnace Creek Ranch and the Stovepipe Wells Village both provide small
camper stores with staple goods and limited supplies.
Special Considerations
Visitors should be aware of the area's extreme heat, lack of water, and occasional flash
floods.
Restrictions
Route 190 is fully paved and open year-round. Road conditions are posted at Furnace
Creek and Stovepipe Wells and are available from the park's website. Access to Death
Valley National Park can be limited by winter snow storms when traveling from the west
over the Sierra Nevada in California on Routes 108 and 120 and on Route 160 from Las
Vegas to the east in Nevada. During the year, occasional flash flooding can occur and
wash out parts of the roads in the park.
Seasons
Best Time to Drive
Winter and spring months are ideal for driving the byway.
High Season
Springtime is the busiest time of year on the byway.
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Death Valley Scenic Byway
Map and Directions
Death Valley Scenic Byway Features Map
Legend:
Driving Directions
• The eastern entrance of Death Valley National Park, roughly 13 miles west of
Death Valley Junction on Hwy 190, marks the beginning of the byway.
• The byway continues along Hwy 190 northwest to Furnace Creek, where it
begins its arc toward Stovepipe Wells.
• Roughly 10 to 15 miles west of Stovepipe Wells, the road climbs over Towne
Pass at an elevation of 4,956 feet. The road then descends into the Panamint
Valley past the Panamint Dunes.
• The road will then approach the Panamint Springs Resort. After leaving the
resort, the byway ascends into the Argus Mountain Range, to Father Crowley
Point with scenic views of the Panamint Range and Valley.
• The byway continues on from Father Crowley Point to the western boundary of
Death Valley National Park, marking the end of the byway. From here the
highway continues to Hwy 395, the Eastern Sierra State Scenic Byway.
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Death Valley Scenic Byway
Road Trip:
Death Valley Hiking Tour
Departure:
Destination:
Time to allow:
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Mosaic Canyon
1 day
One of the best ways to discover Death Valley National Park is by getting out of the car
and taking a hike. Hikes range from beginner to advanced, so there is something for
everyone! Admire the unique beauty of Death Valley up close!
• Start: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Suggested Time at This Site:
30 minutes
Please stop by the Visitor Center in Furnace Creek for more specifics about these
hikes, and the park rangers in the office will help you choose appropriate hikes to
suit your abilities.
• Stop 2: Bad Water Basin
Directions from
previous place:
Distance from
Previous Site:
Travel Time
from Previous
Site:
Suggested Time
at This Site:
Travel south on Badwater road. The parking area is
just off the side of the road near the hiking area.
17 miles / 27.2 km
30 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
17 miles south of the Byway out on Badwater Road at the southern end of Death
Valley, a unique hike near the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere is
surprisingly easy. The Badwater Basin can be seen from the parking area off of
Badwater Road (south of the byway). This open area has an interpretive sign, and
most likely many people. This is a popular area, but the walk out to the saltpan is
worth your time. Surprisingly, there is a spring-fed pool near the parking area.
Please protect the fragile plants and animals by staying out of the pools. This
hike is especially nice on a moonlit night when the weather is cooler.
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Death Valley Scenic Byway
• Stop 3: Furnace Creek
Directions
from
previous
place:
Distance
from
Previous
Site:
Travel Time
from
Previous
Site:
Suggested
Time at This
Site:
Travel north on Badwater Road, passing the Visitor Center
you stopped at earlier. Take 190 north about 1.5 miles to
the Harmony Borax Works.
18.5 miles / 29.6 km
32 minutes
1 hour
<
p>Driving near Furnace Creek, it is easy to notice the ruins of the Harmony
Borax Works. There is plenty of parking and a 0.3 mile paved trail that tours the
ruins of the old plant. Below the plant is one of the original 20-mule team
wagons that were used here well over 100 years ago. Interpretive panels explain
the history of the Borax works.
<
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Death Valley Scenic Byway
• End: Mosaic Canyon
Directions
from
previous
place:
Distance
from
Previous
Site:
Travel
Time
from
Previous
Site:
Suggested
Time at
This Site:
From the Borax Works, travel north on Route 190 about 17
miles. Turn left (east) as 190 goes around a corner. Do not go
straight at the junction. Continue east on 190 about 10 miles
to Mosiac Canyon.
27 miles / 43.2 km
40 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
Near Stovepipe Wells, Mosaic Canyon offers another easy-to-access hike just off
the byway. Just west of the motel at Stovepipe Wells there is a sign pointing to a
graded dirt road. Take this road in about 2.5 miles to the parking area. The full
hike into the canyon is about 2 miles and is quite strenuous. However, exploring
the first narrows part of the canyon is quite easy and is only 1/2 mile long, and is
very worth it. This hike explores a tight canyon of marble walls filled with
colorful mosaics. After the first narrows, the canyon opens into a scenic view.
Total Distance Traveled : 62.5 miles / 100.0 km
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