Itinerary suggested by Andria Yu, director of communications at motorcycles.org and coach at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, where she teaches new riders the fundamentals of getting on two wheels.

Where to Ride

Enter Death Valley National Park from Beatty, Nevada on NV-374 and stop for photos 30 minutes down the road at Hell's Gate, where you can see the entire valley. Head south on Highway 190 to Artist Palette, a rock face of the Black Mountains where the colors of the rainbow naturally occur, thanks to oxidation of different metals in the rock. Get back on 190 and ride to Dante's View. It's over 5,000 feet above sea level and you can see far out into Death Valley.

If you want an off-road experience, head to Titus Canyon Road from Beatty. Titus is 27 miles of off-road driving, which is why it’s the perfect route for any dual-sport motorcycle. Something like the Kawasaki KLX250S is ideal since you'll be on some paved roads and then some off-road trails. There are beautiful, scenic outlooks along the way, and it's amazing to be in the canyon. Continue on to Teakettle Junction, a funny spot where people bring old tea kettles to hang on the sign. It's kind of like Paris' Pont des Artes Bridge, but for tea kettles. Be sure to pack your own!

Where to Stay

Lodging options are pretty stark in Death Valley. If you don’t want to stay at a Motel 6, check into the newly opened Oasis at Death Valley. The property has a natural spring which feeds their pool, the perfect place to take a dip after hours riding out in the sun.

Where to Eat

My favorite place to eat is this family-run Mexican diner in Beatty called Gema's Wagon Wheel Cafe. Everything is homemade—their tamales are my favorite. Bonus: they serve espresso.

What You Can’t Miss

Badwater Basin is a salt flat that 279 feet below sea level and is the lowest point in North America. It's very desolate and makes you feel like you're on the moon.