Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Families can pick up fun-for-all-ages
junior ranger program
activity books at the Fur-
nace Creek visitors center, which has info-packed handouts on all kinds of activities, in-
cluding hiking trails and mountain-biking routes.
Farabee's Jeep Rentals
DRIVING TOUR
(
760-786-9872;
www.farrabeesjeeprentals.com
; 2-/4-door Jeep incl 200 miles $195/235;
mid-
Sep-late May)
If you don't have a 4WD but would like to explore the park's backcountry, rent a Jeep
from this outfit. You must be over 25 years old, have a valid driver's license, credit card
and proof of insurance. Rates include water and supplies such as GPS in case of emer-
gency. It's next to
Inn at Furnace Creek
.
Furnace Creek Bike Rentals
MOUNTAIN BIKING
(
760-786-3371; bike hire 1/24hr $15/49, Hells Gate Downhill Bike Tour $49;
year-round, Hells
Gate Downhill Bike Tour 10am & 2pm)
The general store at the
Ranch at Furnace Creek
rents mountain bikes. Cycling is allowed
on all established paved and dirt roads, but never on hiking trails. On demand, staff also
organize the 2½-hour
Hells Gate Downhill Bike Tour
, which transports you up to a
2200ft elevation for a 10-mile downhill ride back to the valley floor.
Furnace Creek Golf Course
GOLF
Furnace Creek; greens fees summer/winter $30/60; year-round)
For novelty's sake, play a round at the world's lowest-elevation golf course (214ft below
sea level, 18 holes, par 70), redesigned by Perry Dye in 1997. It's also been certified by the
Audubon Society for its environment-friendly management.
Furnace Creek Stables
HORSEBACK RIDING
1/2hr rides $55/70; mid-Oct-mid-May)
Saddle up to see what Death Valley looks like from the back of a horse on these guided
rides. The monthly full-moon rides are the most memorable.
