Bicycling in Death Valley and Mojave

Bicycling

There are no bike rentals in Death Valley National Park, but mountain biking is permitted on any of the back roads open to the public. A free flier with suggested bike routes is at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Bicycle Trail, a 4-mi round-trip trek from the visitor center to Mustard Canyon, is a good place to start, as is Desolation Canyon, an easy 2-mi round-trip trail 4 mi south of Badwater Road. For a better workout, try the moderate 6-mi round-trip journey to Keane Wonder Mine, which begins 17 mi north of the Beatty cutoff road, or the 10-mi round-trip journey to Big Four Mine, starting 9 1/2 mi south of Badwater Road.

Tours

Mountain bike into the heart of Death Valley during a six-day adventure through the national park with Spirit of the Mojave Mountain Biking Tour (Escape Adventures. 800/596-2953 or 702/838-6966). The 110-mi journey includes accommodations (both camping and inns). Tours are $995 per person; bikes, tents, sleeping bags, helmets, and other gear may be rented for an additional price. Tours are available February-April and October only.