March 9-14 2025
Death Valley National Park Ride
Cycle in Death Valley’s grandeur
About the Ride
Join us on a bike tour in beautiful isolation
March 9-14, 2025
Death Valley NP
Death Valley is a road cycling paradise, with spectacular salt flats, desert oases, cathedrals of red rock, and views of towering mountains like Telescope Peak. With cool temperatures and sunny days, the shoulder seasons are the ideal times of year to camp, bike, and explore Death Valley National Park. With our expert support, you’ll have the time of your life.
Can’t join us this year?
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
Escape to one of the greatest surprises in the West and a cycling experience that simply cannot be duplicated anywhere else on the planet. This charitable cycling challenge explores the absolute best of Death Valley National Park, a renowned cyclist’s paradise with little car traffic, pleasant spring and fall weather, and unparalleled desert vistas. During our trip, the average daytime high is 72-80 degrees – great cycling weather! We’re starting and ending this ride at Stovepipe Wells, so you can park your car and ride all week with no shuttles.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Day 1
Arrival Day
You can meet us in Stovepipe Wells or join our shuttle from Las Vegas.
If you are meeting us in Stovepipe Wells, you can leave a car there for the duration of the trip. After you register, contact our support team for more information.
Please see below for details on car parking and pickups. We will arrive at our camp around 5:00 PM to enjoy our first evening together!
Day 2
Ride 45 miles (+5300 ft/-4000 ft) or shorten your ride by shuttling some climbs
*Please remember that this is a fully supported ride and we can shorten the daily distances and elevation based on your goals and riding experience.
We begin our journey from Stovepipe Wells at sea level by gradually climbing the quiet and scenic Emigrant Canyon road. Once we reach the turnaround point, you’ll have a spectacular downhill back to Stovepipe Wells.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. These spectacular sand dunes cover an area of about 14 square miles and are made up of finely grained, light-colored sand that has been carried by the wind from the surrounding mountains and deposited in the flat valley below. Some parts of the dune are up to 700 feet tall!
After dinner, you’ll have the opportunity to stargaze in some of the darkest skies in the US.
Day 3
Ride 45 miles (+2762 ft/-5807 ft) or shorter (shuttle some climbs)
Today, we bike from Stovepipe to Furnace Creek with a magical loop along Artist Drive. We’ll see the famed Artist Palette, a technicolor, kaleidoscopic display of multicolored rock. Our camp is at Furnace Creek. After a great ride, we’ll have time to take a dip in a warm-springs pool.
Day 4
Ride 73 miles (+5057 ft/-3292 ft) or shorter (shuttle some climbs)
Today’s route depends upon the road openings in Death Valley, which will be announced one month before the ride.
Well-rested, we will head out, passing the nearly evaporated Lake Manley, which at one point filled the entire valley. This is where the rare Pupfish, a remnant of those wetter days, was forced to adapt to dry conditions by learning to live in water five times as salty as the oceans. Then, we venture to Badwater Basin, the lowest elevation in North America and the eighth lowest location on Earth at 282 ft below sea level! We begin with a steady climb into the clean air of the Amargosa River Valley, and as we start descending, we’ll take in Shoshone’s world-class skies and the geology and history of the town’s rich mining district.
Day 5
Ride 58 miles (+1642 ft/-3522 ft) or shorter (shuttle some climbs)
Today’s ride follows the Amargosa River to Death Valley Junction where we’ll have the chance to tour a fascinating Opera House and have lunch. Following an optional stop at Zabriskie Point – one of the most panoramic views in the park – we head downhill to Furnace Creek to celebrate our cycling accomplishment for the week with an amazing dinner.
Day 6
Departure Day
This morning, we say goodbye to beautiful Death Valley. You’ll have an option to shuttle or ride the 25 miles back to your car in Stovepipe Wells, or hop on a shuttle back to Las Vegas.
Ready to get started?
FAQs and More Info
Travel Information
The cycling trip meets in Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park at 5:00 PM on day 1. If flying, cyclists should arrive in Las Vegas no later than noon. We will also offer a shuttle from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), which is located on the south end of the Strip. The airport shuttle will pick up at the airport (Terminal 1 on level Zero) at 1:00 PM. The shuttle will also pick up at our recommended Las Vegas hotel if you arrive the night before. It is a 3-4 hour shuttle to camp (including bathroom stops).
If you meet us in Stovepipe Wells, you can park your car there for the week. Be sure to check in with our guides in camp to find out where to park your car.
On Day 6, riders can bike to their cars left at Stovepipe Wells or shuttle back. At 8:30 am a shuttle will depart for Las Vegas.
7:00 am: Breakfast at camp
7:30 am: Ride back to cars left at Stovepipe Wells
8:30 am: Shuttle departs for Las Vegas
~9:00 am: Drop-off for cars left at Stovepipe Wells
~12:00 pm: Drop-offs at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
~12:30 pm: Drop-offs at Tru by Hilton hotel
What’s included? Is there a hotel option?
Included:
- Meals beginning with dinner on night 1 through breakfast on the last morning
- Camping with hot showers each night
- Snacks and electrolytes throughout the day
- Route support
- Transfer from Las Vegas to Death Valley and back
Not included:
- Alcohol or other special beverages
- Gratuities for leader staff
- Camping equipment (can be rented)
- Bike (road and e-bikes available to rent)
- Hotels (please request the hotel list if you would like to book hotels for each night)
You will need to bring your camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), or you can rent it from our outfitter (for ~$80) and your equipment will be there at the trip start in Stovepipe Wells. Bike rental depends of the type of bike you prefer, and prices for the week typically range from $200 to $400.
More information about renting camping gear and bikes will be in your Ride Guide.
Hotels:
There are hotels located near all of our camps. Please email us for a hotel list. Hotels are at your own expense, and we advise booking early to secure rooms.
Can I rent a bike? Are e-bikes allowed in Death Valley National Park?
Yes, you can rent a bike through our local outfitter. They will bring your bike to the trip start. Rentals range from $200 to $400 for the week, depending on the style of bike. More information is available once your register.
Can I rent or bring an e-bike? Yes, it is possible. If you would like an e-bike, we can request one for you.
If you are bringing an e-bike, you must reach out to us so we can make sure that we can handle nightly charging and transporting your bike. You don’t want to miss out on a ride day because you could not charge your bike!
What does my fundraising support, and why is it so important?
Cyclists can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to fundraise for from our extensive list of beneficiary organizations. Our beneficiaries were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
