Thorndike Campground

Biking

Do your pedaling feet crave sand dunes and sand flats, below sea level basins and mountain crests? Then bring your bike to Death Valley and slake your desert bike thirst with 30 to 50 mile stretches of rolling terrain! If you want to leave the extra weight at home, rent a bike upon arrival, but be sure to make yourself aware of safe biking in Death Valley and consider signing up for, or planning, a route based on one of many possible bike tours, including REI and Woman Tours .

Hiking

Death Valley is known for being unknown and by that we mean, there are not many formalized trails, but still plenty of awesome hiking options . Familiarize yourself with the territory and first venture out on a couple of mini-hikes , such as Golden Canyon Interpretive Trail or Natural Bridge Canyon. Add accompaniment to your desert-wandering with the timbre of water pummeling rock at Darwin Falls , before attempting a Mama-Hike, like Goler Wash/Megel Pass . Don’t want to go-it-alone? Join a REI hike expedition!

Horseback riding

Not to fall heavy on cliches, but if you went to see a man about a horse, chances are it would be in a desert. Itching to don a saddle in Death Valley? Head to Furnace Creek Stables or try a Catacama Adventure .

Off-roading (OHV)

In need of an adrenaline rush? Ready to fill the quiet, dusty breeze with the churn and grumble of wheels on sand and gravel? Get into some OHV expeditioning amidst the grand backdrop of Death Valley.

Climbing

Mosaic Canyon is as it sounds - a pieced together work of natural art, ready for a rock clamoring ascent, as is the Grotto Canyon , which includes a series of obstacles that get steeper and trickier as you ascend.

Snow sports

Panamint Mountain Range is home to 11,049 foot Telescope Peak , which despite Death Valley’s reputation for extreme heat, can give an experienced snowshoer a run for their money in November through early March.

Swimming

Hiking like a good water baby with your swimsuit on under your gear? Good. You’ll get a chance to make use of that when you take your hike to Darwin Falls and dip in to the mountain-fed waters of the desert.

Wildlife watching

You will undoubtedly encounter forms of wildlife during your experience at Death Valley. Get pre-acquainted with some of the creatures , (including reptiles, amphibians, native fish, desert bighorn, coyote and mule deer), who call this vast landscape home.