Death Valley warns of riding in the hottest months of the park

Death Valley is the hottest place on earth and regularly reaches temperatures of over 120 degrees in the summer months. With over 3.4 million tomorrow and over 1,000 miles, it is also the largest national park in the lower 48, which makes it a great place for motorcycle tours – but only in certain seasons.

On May 23, Death Valley National Park (DVNP) gave a warning of its hottest and most inhospitable season. It asked motorcyclists not to drive in the park from May to September. It warned that the air as soon as the temperatures exceed 99 degrees no longer delivers cooling effect, “even if it drives at speed”.

Add a helmet, long pants, boots and a riding jacket to the equation, and it can spell a disaster – as in July 2024, when the temperatures near Badwater Basin reached a record of 128 degrees. The heat tip made a group of six motorcyclists sick, killed one of them and sent another one with the ambulance to a hospital.

“Motorcyclists are injured or killed in Death Valley every year due to the extreme conditions. Your security is our priority, and we want you to return home safely so that you can drive in the long run,” said Death Valley, Mike Reynolds, in a press release. “We encourage the drivers to visit between October and April when the temperatures for motorcycling are considerably cooler and safer.”

Death Valley National Park: Summer heat can be fatal

The extreme environment of DVNP is tightened by a lack of resources in the park. There are only limited shadows and water and huge traces of uninhabited streets separate rest stops and visitor centers. The cell phone service is limited throughout the park, which makes it impossible to ask for help in many locations.

Medical evacuation is also difficult. DVNP states that helicopters generally cannot fly safely at temperatures at or over 120 degrees. This means that ambulances are often the only way to extract someone who suffers from a medical emergency. So if you get sick or are injured, help can be removed a long way.

As Reynolds alluded, motorcyclists are some of the most endangered park visitors. Combating the elements and the safety equipment required for driving makes them very susceptible to the warmth.

Despite the warning of the park not to drive in DVNP between May and September, this contained a handful of tips to remain safe if motorcyclists decide this anyway. DVNP recommended that you search for active parking warnings, to map your route in advance, to drive in cooler times of the day, to take breaks (if possible with air conditioning), to remain hydrated, slow curves and ride in the centHe the trail.

To learn more about heat safety, read the DVNP guide to exceed the heat.