Safety

Golden Canyon Search and Rescue - large red stop sign with extreme heat warning. Golden colored canyon walls tower above, and a group of park rangers enters the canyon to rescue a hiker.

NPS/Kevin Ross

Remember, your safety is your responsibility! Check out these tips to stay safe during your visit to the park.

Know Before You Go!

Check the park website (Alerts & Conditions) for the most accurate information on closures, road statuses, and other important information.

Check the weather forecast! Although Death Valley is known for being hot, the park can experience all types of weather, including high winds and flooding. Check out Death Valley’s weather page to learn more: Weather.

Plan Like a Ranger - Visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, open daily from 8 AM – 5 PM, to talk with a park ranger to plan your trip. You can also contact park rangers via our park website: Contact Us.

Beat the Heat

Death Valley is the hottest place in the world! Summertime temperatures can be as high as 130^oF (54^oC) with nighttime temperatures of up to 90^oF (32^oC).

Be prepared for hot, arid conditions:

DO NOT hike in the valley/lower elevations when it is hot! Generally, the mountains are cooler in the summer and provide some refuge from the heat.

DRINK plenty of water, at least one gallon a day, to avoid dehydration. Eat well balanced meals too and keep your electrolytes in check! Water is available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs.

LISTEN to your BODY – If you begin to feel dizzy, nauseous, or get a bad headache, stop all strenuous activity, remove yourself from the heat, and be sure to drink small amounts of water every few minutes.

• Heat Exhaustion – Signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, cramps, and pale, cool, clammy skin.
• Heat Stroke – Signs and symptoms are like heat exhaustion, but also include changes in behavior (like confusion or disorientation.)

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek help. If within cell phone service, call 911 or locate a park ranger!

 

FLASH FLOOD!

Flash floods occur when large amounts of water run swiftly through canyons and washes. Flash floods occur quickly, are unpredictable, and and often carry large debris, like rocks and branches. You can be severely injured by getting caught in a flash flood! DO NOT HIKE in canyons during an active rainstorm, or if there is a high chance of precipitation. If you are stuck in a high rain event or flood, try to find higher ground immediately!

No Need for Speed!

Most deaths in Death Valley are caused by single vehicle rollover accidents on the park’s long, winding roads. Follow all posted speed limits, shift to low gear on steep downhill grades, and always your wear seatbelt!

 

Welcome to the Wilderness

Death Valley is a massive and remote national park! There is limited to no cell phone service. If you plan to travel in the wilderness/backcountry:

• Have a clear plan! Write down your planned itinerary and designate an emergency contact to share it with. Be clear about when you plan to be out of the backcountry and make sure to let your contact know when you plan to get in touch!
• Bring the 10 Essentials (Ten Essentials)
  • We also recommend having some sort of communication device, like a spot device or satellite to make emergency phone calls.
  • In case you become stranded, it is also wise to bring extra amounts of food and water, as well as shelter/blankets.
• Practice good “Leave No Trace” (Leave No Trace Seven Principles)

Checkout the park’s Backcountry Travel page to learn more about backcountry travel: Backcountry Roads.

Keep Wildlife Wild!

Despite being called Death Valley, there is a plethora of life that exists in the park, including a variety of wildlife.

• DO NOT FEED wildlife! Not only is human food bad for many animals, but it can also habituate animals to humans. If animals rely solely on humans, they often do not survive or can be aggressive and have to be dispatched by park rangers.

Coyotes, in particular, are known to linger in the Furnace Creek area. If you see a coyote (or any other animal) approaching people of acting strangely, report it to a park ranger at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center!

• Hantavirus is a respiratory disease that is spread through contact with rodent feces and urine. When these materials dry out and are disturbed, they can become airborne, and that is when the highest chance of infection occurs. Do not spend time in old buildings and structures that have excessive evidence of rodents.

• Be careful what you touch – Be mindful of where you place your hands and feet! Creatures like snakes, lizards, and scorpions can hide in small holes and crevices. While most are not life threatening, there are venomous critters that can harm you!

• Know where you can go with PETS – many animals are sensitive to the presence of animals like dogs. For more information on pets in the park, please see: Pets - Death Valley National Park.

Won’t You Be Mine – just don’t get too close!

Death Valley has a rich mining history. As a result, hundreds of old mine sites exist around the park. Do not enter mine tunnels or shafts. Mines may be unstable, have hidden shafts, pockets of bad air, and poisonous gas. Be mindful when exploring old sites!

Illegal Marijuana Grow Sites

If you come across what you believe may be an illegal grow site, immediately turn around, keep yourself safe, and go to the nearest visitor center to report it to a park ranger. Be ready to give a full description of the location to the ranger; the more details you can provide, the better. Take note of your location, any distinguishing features/formations, or GPS coordinates.