NPS Watch for Animals The animals who are resident in the park are protected by Federal Law. You may not injure or kill park wildlife even if it seems threatening to you. Snakes, bats, scorpions, rats, and other animals not desirable at your home may make this park their home. YOU are the visitor and you need to change your behavior to accommodate the park resident. Do not place your hands or feet anywhere you cannot see clearly. You risk a confrontation with park wildlife if you are not watching where you are walking or where you are leaning with your hands. Report your concerns to the park staff. Rangers will sometimes relocate a snake or other animal for the protection of both animal and visitor. DO NOT harass any park wildlife by chasing it, throwing anything at or near it, or trying to catch it yourself. Thank you for your help in protecting the park and all its special features. Dress Properly Plan Your Trip Carefully Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Do not let your children wander without supervision. Plan for breaks inside the visitor center to recover from heat or other weather conditions. Do not travel in the desert backcountry without permission, this will protect delicate soils, artifacts, and you! It is easy to become disoriented in the desert where many landmarks and scraggly bushes look similar. 
NPS Stay Aware of Weather Conditions Trapped desert heat can feel as though it is at least fifty degrees hotter than it actually is. One of the places that gets most heated is the inside of your car. Any person (infant/senior/teen or otherwise) or pet should not be left alone in the car even if it is only for a few minutes. The desert heat can suffocate anyone within a short period of time. While the desert is best known for heat there are other weather conditions that can be equally dangerous. Fast moving thunderstorms can appear out of nowhere bringing lightening, hail, and strong winds. Lightening can strike even from a distance, so clear skies overhead does not mean you are safe from storms in the area. Wind and dust storms can reduce visibility to near zero. When driving DO NOT STOP COMPLETELY as that causes chain reaction vehicle accidents. Drive slowly with your headlights (not just daytime running lights) on low and use your safety flashers if moving slowly. Close windows to avoid flying debris entering the vehicle.
Carry Plenty of Water It is easy to get dehydrated while visiting the desert. Keep drinking fluids, preferrably plain ole water, often. The general rule is one gallon of water per person, per day, is the absolute minimum that should be consumed. It will only do you good if you drink it, so sip at your drink even if you don't think you are thirsty. |
Last updated: March 31, 2012