With an air conditioned vehicle you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Stay on paved roads in summer, and if your car breaks down, stay with it until help arrives.
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That hot, dry air in Death Valley National can have a pretty big impact on your vehicle's performance. You'll even see signs in a few areas of the park advising drivers to turn off the car's air conditioner so that it doesn't overheat.
Nighttime traffic is almost always light, and you can see vehicles from a long way. The main driving hazard is excessive speed. Some roads have curves that sneak up on you, and in the daytime, the awesome scenery can be very distracting. Single-vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of visitor deaths in Death Valley.
The fee to enter Death Valley National Park is $30 per vehicle, good for 7 days. There's no gate controlling entry to the park, so you'll stop by an entrance station or visitor center to pay for the pass. The park is open 24/7, so you can start or end your tour at any time.
If you're going to head to Death Valley, you really want to have access to a 4WD vehicle with high clearance. There's a lot you can see in a normal passenger car, but if you really want to get into the desolate backcountry that makes up the majority of the National Park, you'll want a little upgrade.
Panamint City is a ghost town deep in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley. It's historic, well preserved and hard to reach. More than 130 years after Panamint City's peak as a silver boomtown, it looks a lot like a post-modern apocalyptic summer camp.
The entrance fees for Death Valley National Park are $30 for a private vehicle, $25 for motorcycles, and $15 for cyclists, hikers, and foot visitors. All these Death Valley fees are valid for 7 days. An annual Death Valley pass costs $55 and this only gets you access to that park for one vehicle.
It is permitted in some places within the park - find out more about the Backcountry Camping Rules. Death Valley is a large, remote place without cell phone service in most areas. Backcountry camping is a great option for those who prepare properly and follow Leave No Trace principles.