In order to tour Death Valley, you need to purchase a visitor pass from a Ranger Station. Oddly enough, when entering the park from the West, the first Ranger Station you see is just about in the middle of the park at Stovepipe Wells. This is a very old and historic place, having been where the first settlers chose to make a town. This sign shows details about the first tourist resort and ranch that was built here. This is also a great location to fill up with fuel, purchase food and drinks, and they also have a nice hotel and restaurant.