Desert parks offer some of the most dramatic scenery on any American road trip.
Wide valleys, salt flats, sand dunes and colorful canyons stretch for miles.
They are also some of the harshest places you can drive.
Heat, long distances between services and sudden floods catch visitors off guard every year.
This guide explains how to plan and drive a desert road trip safely.
It draws on safety guidance from Death Valley National Park and the National Weather Service.
Death Valley is an extreme example, so its lessons apply to many desert routes.
Know before you go
The Death Valley safety page starts with planning.
Check the park website for alerts, closures and road conditions before you leave.
Check the weather forecast too.
The park notes that the desert can see all kinds of weather, including high winds and flooding.
A visitor center is a good place to ask a ranger about current conditions.
Plan around what you learn, and keep a backup plan for closed roads.
Our guide to planning a national park road trip covers reservations and backup plans.
How hot it really gets
Death Valley calls itself the hottest place in the world.
The park says summer temperatures can reach 130°F, or 54°C.
Nights may stay as warm as 90°F, or 32°C.
That means the car, the pavement and the air never really cool down in summer.
Other deserts are less extreme but can still be dangerous on hot days.
Plan the hottest months with extra care, or visit in the cooler seasons.
Water: more than you think
The park advises drinking plenty of water, at least one gallon a day, to avoid dehydration.
It also recommends eating balanced meals and keeping your electrolytes in check.
That gallon is for each person, and it is a minimum.
- Count the people in the car and pack water for each of them.
- Add extra water in case you get stuck or delayed.
- Keep some water in the passenger area, not only in the trunk.
- Refill at every chance, since water stops can be far apart.
In Death Valley, the park lists water at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs.
Other parks and deserts have their own refill points, so check before you go.
Do not hike in the heat
Many desert trails start right next to the road.
That makes it easy to start a hike without thinking about the heat.
Death Valley advises against hiking in the valley and lower elevations when it is hot.
The park notes that the mountains are generally cooler in summer.
Save longer walks for cooler months, or for higher ground.
Listen to your body if you do walk.
If you feel dizzy, nauseous or get a bad headache, stop all strenuous activity.
Get out of the heat and drink small amounts of water every few minutes.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
The National Weather Service explains how heat illness can progress.
Heat exhaustion signs include heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea and headache.
Move the person somewhere cooler, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet cloths.
Offer sips of water.
The NWS says to get medical help if the person vomits or symptoms worsen or last over an hour.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Signs include confusion, slurred speech, a body temperature above 103°F and hot, red skin.
Call 911 or get the person to a hospital right away.
Cool them with cool cloths or a bath while you wait.
The NWS says not to give fluids to someone with heat stroke.
It also warns that a fan can make someone hotter when the heat index is above the high 90s.
Our guide on road trips in hot weather covers parked cars, children and pets.
Drive the long roads carefully
Heat gets the headlines, but the road itself is a major danger.
Death Valley says most deaths in the park come from single-vehicle rollover crashes.
They happen on the park's long, winding roads.
The park gives three clear rules.
- Follow all posted speed limits.
- Shift to a low gear on steep downhill grades.
- Always wear your seat belt.
Long, empty roads invite speed, and the scenery invites distraction.
Stop in a safe pullout for photos instead of drifting while you look.
Watch for fatigue too, since desert drives can be long and monotonous.
Our guide to drowsy driving on long road trips explains the warning signs.
Flash floods in a dry land
Floods seem unlikely in a desert, but they are a real danger.
The park explains that flash floods happen when large amounts of water rush through canyons and washes.
They come quickly, are hard to predict and often carry rocks and branches.
Do not hike in canyons during a rainstorm or when there is a high chance of rain.
If you are caught in heavy rain or a flood, move to higher ground right away.
Never drive into a wash or a dip in the road with water flowing across it.
Our guide to flooded roads explains why turning around is the only safe move.
High winds can also bring blowing dust, as our guide to high winds and dust storms explains.
Remote roads and no cell service
Desert parks can be huge and remote.
Death Valley warns of limited to no cell phone service.
If you plan to travel into the backcountry, the park recommends a clear plan.
- Write down your itinerary and share it with an emergency contact.
- Tell that person when you expect to be out and when you will check in.
- Carry the Ten Essentials.
- Consider a satellite communication device for emergency calls.
- Bring extra food, water and shelter or blankets in case you get stranded.
Fill the gas tank before long empty stretches, and do not count on services along the way.
Make sure your car is ready before you leave.
Our pre-trip car check covers tires, fluids and coolant.
Wildlife, critters and old mines
The desert is full of life, and the park asks visitors not to feed any of it.
Human food is bad for many animals and can make them depend on people.
Watch where you put your hands and feet.
Snakes, lizards and scorpions can hide in small holes and crevices.
Most are not life-threatening, but some are venomous.
Many deserts also hold old mining sites.
The park warns never to enter mine tunnels or shafts.
They may be unstable and hide shafts, bad air or poisonous gas.
Avoid old buildings with lots of rodent droppings too, because of the risk of hantavirus.
Our guide to driving through wildlife country covers animals on park roads.
A desert road trip checklist
- Alerts, road conditions and the forecast checked before you go.
- At least one gallon of water per person per day, plus extra.
- A full tank before every long empty stretch.
- Hikes kept short, cool and at higher elevations in summer.
- Speed limits followed, low gear on steep downgrades and seat belts on.
- No canyon hikes when rain is possible.
- An itinerary shared with someone at home.
- Extra food, water and blankets in case you get stranded.
The bottom line
A desert road trip rewards careful planning with unforgettable views.
Carry far more water than you think, avoid hiking in the heat and drive the long roads with care.
Respect flash floods, and let someone know your plans.
With the right preparation, the desert can be the highlight of your trip.
Sources and Further Reading
- National Park Service, Death Valley National Park: Safety — supports the trip planning steps, the temperatures, the gallon-a-day water advice and refill points, hiking in the heat, rollover risk and driving rules, flash floods, backcountry planning, wildlife, mines and hantavirus.
- National Weather Service: Heat Cramps, Exhaustion, Stroke — supports the signs and first aid for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, when to seek help and the warning about fans.