Death Valley NP

[Lumatic]

I am thinking about a trip to DV for about a week around Christmas and New Year's. Meeting my grandkids there so will need to also set up a tent.
What are your campground recommendations and advice?

[Len n Jeanne]

We'll be following your down there in February! We can't report yet from experience, but we made a reservation at the Furnace Creek CG via the on-line link at the Death Valley nps.gov site, because they take reservations. According to the NPS website, Death Valley is a winter park, in terms of their high season.

We also made a reservation at the RV park in nearby Shoshone, CA figuring we'd want a few days for laundry and wi-fi before heading over to Nevada. The staff person there warned me that it is a very small place, with few services. So we're planning to stock up on food and water before we get to DV.

I also searched this site, and found a few threads with Death Valley info.

Hoping to learn something from the more experienced Death Valley campers on this thread.

[Gene]

I was thinking of going there next month, but it just won't fit in. On the west side, up the grade, is a private CG with more services than Furnace Creek at Panamint Springs Resort.

DV is cool (except in the summer) and well worth the visit. We haven't been there with the trailer, so I'll be interested to see what is recommended.

Gene

[Lumatic]

To fine tune my post a bit, I guess I am interested mainly in 2 things:
1;Will I need reservations for Furnace Creek for Christmas/ New Years or maybe Easter week for a site I can also set up a tent on a surface other than rocks.
2. Recommendations for staying at more off the beaten track sites with my Airstream, especially near the Racetrack.

PS I have a 25 foot Tradewind and a 2wd F250

[webspinner]

We went in April of 2011 and stayed in Furnace Creek because we could get a reserved spot. We picked one (site 122) at the edge of the campground so that we'd have views of mountains and not other campers.

Details here: Tin Pickle Adventures: Death Valley 2011

[Zeppelinium]

Lumatic,

It's been a few years since I've been there, but of the two sites at Furnace Creek, I prefer the one on the west side of the highway. The other site is up higher, so the view is better, but on the west side you can find a few spots amid the creosote bushes that feel more welcoming.

In the second photo I've tried to point out that there are sites that might be more private and more amenable to a tent. Check with the Park to see if an RV and tent are allowed together.





There are other RV locations. In the north end of DV at the other airport (cottonwood, I believe) it's pretty bleak, but if you're there for photography that's where the best dunes are.



There's also Panamint Springs, which is in the next valley to the west, but still part of the Park. However, it's over a fairly high pass and really outside of the park experience.



Going further west, I always visit Darwin, a semi-ghost town where most of the inhabitants have underground homes. There is a 1947 Airstream in town that always fascinates me. If you go from Darwin to Panmint Springs on the Old Toll Road (not a good trailer road, but OK for a pickup), you will find an incredible mile long stretch of river that emerges from the ground, then disappears.



Then, of course, there's the recently (like 20 years) added part of the Park, the Saline Valley. Getting from the south is risky (I broke a wheel on my Caravel) and the north road is washboard, but it's a fascinating, remote place. You wouldn't want to miss the nude hot springs, would you? Or for a history buff (no pun intended), the old salt tram still has some of the cables and buckets hanging between the towers. Salt went over the ridge to Owens Lake, then by steamer to the other side, then by rail to L.A. The north and south roads into the Saline Valley define the west edge of Death Valley National Park. If you only get to the "high camp" (this initial part of the south road is relatively passble) you will find a small miracle--a camping spot that overlooks the Panamint Valley from above 5,000 feet.






And while you're there, why not get up to Mono Lake. You could go over the mountain west to Yosemite, or east to Tonopah and then across some pretty lonely but awesome volcanic areas to St George and home.



Or even Bode ghost town? You may never get back to New Mexico!

Zep

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

...off the beaten track sites with my Airstream, especially near the Racetrack...

Whoa, the Racetrack? I've seen the road in from both ends (Saline and Ubehebe) and I don't think you're getting in there with the Airstream. Well, you could get in, but take two spare tires, a shovel, and a pick. I thnk the entry from Ubehebe Crater is the much better choice.

And let me know how it is.

As far as off the beaten path camping goes, many Parks allow "dispersed camping." Ask the Park if there are areas in the Park where this is allowed. I know it's allowed in Marble Canyon, which is off the road near the Cottonwood Station (on the road to Panamint). All the land east of highway 395 is essentially National Park, National Forest, or BLM, except on either side of 395 itself.

I'm a fan of remote camping, but what I found in Death Valley itself is you want to be at Furnace Creek.

I have some JPEG maps that show the land ownership. Send me your email (zep@airstreamdoctor.com) and I'll send you a copy.

Zep

[Globie64]

This looks like another cool place to check out, thanks for all the info.

[FreshAir]

Lynn and I spent part of our honeymoon there.......in February 1969. We towed a small trailer. After 2 beautiful (weather) days it began to rain....and rain....and rain. Not a good place to be when it rains. Cars, trailers began sinking in wet sand. We escaped to Disneyland. Rained there too. We've had some 'rain' during our 43 years together. A little rain is good.
Before I met Lynn I visited DV every spring. Love the place. Saw all the spots already mentioned. February is a good time weather wise..not too cold...not too hot....sometimes it rains. After the rains the Valley bursts forth with more flowers than you can imagine.

Neil

[Globie64]

I love the image and thinking of you guys traveling in that rig, is it a '62 Bonneville? and what is the tailer? Must've been a fun way to spend a honeymoon, rain or no rain.

[tvoneicken]

Zep, thanks for all the cool pointers! 'been to DV several times in winter. We find furnace creek on the depressing side: crowded, expensive, noisy, ... Good when just sleeping there and spending the days away.

We've towed our AS from furnace creek to the eureka dunes, which was quite a trek but quite doable if going slowly. The dunes are awesome and so remote. We wished we had time to sleep there, but we had to move on. Dunno whether it's so much worse going to the racetrack. I'd check out where dispersed camping is allowed and where side roads leave the main road: you may not have to go that far to be able to get off the road for boondocking. Something best explored when on-site...

The park does allow dispersed camping but excludes very specific areas. It's well described on the park site if you search for dispersed camping. The area that has intrigued me is camping off the west road (the dirt road that goes along the west side of the valley). Dispersed camping is allowed along the roads that go from there into the canyons to the west starting at a specific distance from the west road (sorry, I forget the exact distance). I've been wanting to explore which of them allows me to tow the AS far enough to meet the distance. Perhaps this winter I'll get there...

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by Globie64

I love the image and thinking of you guys traveling in that rig, is it a '62 Bonneville? and what is the tailer? Must've been a fun way to spend a honeymoon, rain or no rain.

The car is a '62 Grand Prix. I loved that car but had to sell it 2 years later when our first (daughter) was on the way. The trailer was a '67 Scotsman.....a rental.

Neil

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by tvoneicken

Zep, thanks for all the cool pointers! 'been to DV several times in winter. We find furnace creek on the depressing side: crowded, expensive, noisy, ... Good when just sleeping there and spending the days away...

All good inputs, thanks. The only time I was in the park with an Airstream, it was the second week of December and not many visitors were there. You'd think that would be the time to go, but in previous trips in a tent I was surprised to find that many foreign tourists want to be there when it's 120+ in the shade (what shade, one asks). It's easy to get to dispersed camping when all you have is a tent.

It occurs to me to mention Cero Gordo, an old mine worth visiting. I've gone over the top from Keeler on Cero Gordo road and down the east side of that ridge in a Grand Am, but this is one road I wouldn't take a trailer on. As a matter of fact, getting up to the mine from Keeler is one of my favorite white knuckle trips, due to the steep dropoffs here and there.

Zep

[Keyair]

Love DV!
Gas prices there are out of this world even by CA prices tho...

Dont take your trailer to Racetrack!

Pic from my first trip to the Race Track... Teakettle Junction..


We went to Racetrack from the Crater end... My Suburban is only 2wd, and did fine... we slept in her overnight. You just need some ground clearance and tire sidewall for the cobbles... its pretty washboarded... we dropped the tires to 15psi which kept the fillings in our teeth!


Every time I camped there, it was super windy.... batton everything down!

We camped at Wildrose, which was quieter, but one time it rained there so hard it was like sleeping in a drum! We actually got so freaked out about a flash flood.., we packed up quickly about 2am and moved the Suburban... only so see others doing the same! 15 mins later water was gushing where we had been parked!

Bodie Ghost Town is a must see if you have time, but check it will be open... it was one of teh State Parks that was hit by funding closures I think.

[JackDog]

Lumatic,

I've stayed many times at either Panamint or Lone Pine during Christmas week and not had a problem getting a site.

I like Panamint a bit better due to it's more remote feeling. Yes it's just off the highway but if you get a site facing north up the valley you experience some great views. They have 12 full hook up sites and showers and the bar and restaurant accross the road has good food.
$30 a night plus $5 extra for each dog you bring.

If anyone is interested, I'm staying this year at the Boulder Creek RV park just south of Lone Pine on 395 during Christmas week. I plan on being there the nights of Dec. 22, 23, 24 and 25. I plan a day trip into DV but mostly kicking around the LP area and the Eastern Sierra.

If you ever get a chance take the drive up to the Cerro Gordo ghost town just up the grade from the little town of Keeler. I was friends with the owners Jodi Stewart and her husband Mike Patterson. They have both since passed away and are both buried on the town site. I stayed once in the old bunk house and the American hotel.

I don't know if both are still available for sleep over's but check with Sean Patterson prior to going up and when you get there check in with the caretakers. Sean's number is 661-303-3622.

Easter week is another great time to go due to the great weather and wildflower season gets awfully crowded.

Enjoy,

Jack Dog (Michael)
in So Cal

[nilesrob]

Furnace Creek was a great campground for us. Bring your sticks if you play golf - there is s golf course right in the valley, although we had company napping on one of the holes. We were there at Thanksgiving and had great weather. We loved Death Valley!!

[gatorboy]

If you're taking a tent for the kids, be advised: It gets really, really cold (muy frio) at night. Keyair is right. Gas is expensive. We camped at Tecopa Hot Springs. Hot water for soaking, Date Ranch- kids would enjoy. Groceries and much cheaper gas in Pahrump NV. Here is a link to my post on this. No matter where you camp, the Death Valley experience is not to be missed.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...tml#post934571

[Lumatic]

Well, we didn't get out there for Christmas/ New Years but we are planning to go the last week in March. More daylight and better temps. Anybody been in March? For the reserved campgrounds when do I need to make reservations? Now?

[Lumatic]

I will be at Furnace Creek Site 23 from 3/25 to3/29 if all goes according to plan. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood.

[MaxAB]

Spent 7 wonderful days in Death Valley - Furnace Creek main campground. WX was super, although we actually got some rain one morning - sprinkled for about 15 minutes. Great dry camping at Sunset campground on the hill about Furnace Creek.

Suggest doing the drive to Rhyolite Ghost Town, fuel-up cheaply at Beatty, NV then take the Titus Canyon (one-way east-to-west) tour - incredible.

Another good one was the tour through Scotty's Castle. Stovepipe Wells is where you can buy beer at a reasonable price (don't buy it at the Furnace Creek store).

We played a round of golf at the "Lowest Course in the World" - watch out for the coyotes!

Be advised, gas is $5.15/gal in the National Park - plan accordingly.

We spent a couple days on the road and are now in Quartzite, AZ for a week or so.

Don't miss Death Valley!

Cheers!