Camping in Death Valley

[KillZone45]

I would like to go camping in Death Valley in November or December I hear the weather is real nice that time of the year. I plan on tent camping with my GF and possibly a few friends, what is some good areas to camp and hike at? I used to go camping in DV a lot when I was a little kid but its been over 20 years so I am not up to date.

[Zorba]

I've been going to DV for many years - the campgrounds haven't changed. The nice one up in the hills above Furnace Creek, with the flat gravel RV parking areas below. The small one at Stovepipe Wells, and the other nice one out towards Scotty's Castle - which is my favorite.

[kemasa]

Even in "winter" the temps can vary there. I stayed at Mesquite, which is to the north, towards Scotty's Castle, which was cool at night, then we went down to Furnace Creek, which was hot, even at night. I would not stay at Furnace Creek again as it was basically a parking lot. I don't know about a nice one in the hills, which might be acceptable.

[TrailerparkTrash]

If you want an awesome time, go with a buddy so you're bringing at least two vehicles. Start on the stateline near the Colorado river and travel/camp the "Mojave Road." It goes across Death Valley and is awesome! It takes only a couple of days but is well worth it.

Google the "mojave road" or get a book on it from sport chalet. You'll find maps, points of interest, hidden camping spots, historic artifact sites and ruins etc...

As you travel along the road, the topography changes dramatically at places. It's really a neat trip. A 4-wheel drive isn't really needed as I've done it in a 2-wheel drive in the past. That said however, roads change with the seasons and you might wanna check with the park service first.

I plan on doing another Mojave road trip/camping expedition in the next few months with my expedition "crew." It's well worth it and it's not so far away.

[Clipper]

Ive been camping at thanksgiving time without reservations, bad idea. Since DV is a park, they only allow camping in designated areas. We had to drive out of the park and sleep on the side of the road.
It is death valley so the camp grounds are not fancy. The one to the north near scottys castle isnt bad, and we like the one at furnace creek on the west side of the road. The one on the east side is literally a parking lot.

[LCU1670]

I try to go when there is a FULL MOON, I like hiking at night there. When there is a full moon at DV and sky is clear, once your eyes adapt, its like a cool day!

[WartHog]

I would like to go camping in Death Valley in November or December I hear the weather is real nice that time of the year. I plan on tent camping with my GF and possibly a few friends, what is some good areas to camp and hike at? I used to go camping in DV a lot when I was a little kid but its been over 20 years so I am not up to date.

Got 4wd? Lots of neat stuff in Butte Valley like Striped Butte, Geologist's Cabin, Ol' Chuck Manson's former hideout, etc. and AFAIK, you can camp anywhere back in that area. You need to be prepared though as it can snow there pretty good in winter when a cold storm rolls thru.

Striped Butte and hiking to the top are awesome - you're driving along a canyon and all of a sudden you enter a valley and here's this gigantic multi-colored rock formation thrust up nearly 5000' above the floor of the valley!

http://www.death-valley.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=61772

[T6pilot]

A lot of riders stay in paniment springs
Tent camping north side of highway
South side rustic cabins
Good food and cold beer in resturant, gas is expensive though
I've stayed in the cabins several times, you'll appreciate them if the wind blows

[Johnny Utah]

Tagged

[David13]

We usually camp out over there at Beatty, in a motel, that's rough enough for me.
I have been out there in the winter with a full moon at night, at Dead Water. Beautiful.
dc

[jeffyhog]

I love Death Valley and have camped there many times, though its always been in the spring- March, April, May. As others have stated, the campgrounds in the park are not much more than parking lots. The wind can be horrendous at times, especially if you're tent camping. I've been there three times when the wind has been really bad. Had to put rocks in the tent to hold it down, tie it to the truck and picnic table, eat dinner in the truck, etc. It is beautiful though when its calm. I've been when its a full moon as well as no moon. Great to sit out and night and look at the stars.

Panamint Springs is my favorite place to camp. Its about 30 miles from Stovepipe Wells but its about 2000 feet elevation- easily 10-15 degrees cooler and much more comfortable for sleeping at night. Everything's more expensive there because they have to supply their own power and run a large generator nearly all the time. They describe the place as "rustic" and it is. I've organized a couple motorcycle rides up there and some of the people who stayed in the cabins (I haven't stayed in the rooms as I always tent) were disappointed with their condition. The rooms in Death Valley are nicer and cleaner, but more expensive. All the rooms and restaurants in Death Valley Park are ran by Xanterra, and I think they all have a very corporate feel and atmosphere. Xanterra is the company that manages all the concessions at the National Parks. I really like Panamint Springs.

Plenty of places to see and hike in Death Valley, but the area is expansive. You probably want to look up the points of interest online and see what appeals to you. I think Scotty's Castle is a must see, the kilns are really cool, and you'd never expect to see a waterfall in that area but there's an awesome waterfall at Panamint- its an easy 1 mile hike to Darwin Falls. Badwater Basin seems to be the place that everyone associates with Death Valley, and its neat to walk way out into the salt basin. Plenty of little hikes in the Artist Drive area and some of the Canyons are really cool with the erosion and dry falls. I've done the Natural Bridge trail- I think its two miles round trip. Also cool to go out on the sand dunes at sunrise and see all the sidewinder tracks left the night before, which brings up a point about hiking at night- a lot of critters come out at night! I've always wanted to make it to the Racetrack, but never have the time.
Rhyolite is a cool old ghost town outside the park off the road to Beatty which is really cool.
Too many neat things to list here. I was shocked the first time I visited Death Valley by how much there was to see. A lot of people ventured out there and there is a lot of history. Wherever you go, take plenty of water!

[HoMa506]

and if you're lucky you'll come across this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6yG-HO-8hQ

CAUTION: loud screaming and adult language cuz I bet you'll be turning your volume way up.

[Tanner68]

If you want an awesome time, go with a buddy so you're bringing at least two vehicles. Start on the stateline near the Colorado river and travel/camp the "Mojave Road." It goes across Death Valley and is awesome! It takes only a couple of days but is well worth it.

Google the "mojave road" or get a book on it from sport chalet. You'll find maps, points of interest, hidden camping spots, historic artifact sites and ruins etc...

As you travel along the road, the topography changes dramatically at places. It's really a neat trip. A 4-wheel drive isn't really needed as I've done it in a 2-wheel drive in the past. That said however, roads change with the seasons and you might wanna check with the park service first.

I plan on doing another Mojave road trip/camping expedition in the next few months with my expedition "crew." It's well worth it and it's not so far away.

The Mojave Road is a great trip. But it does not go to or through DVNP. Rather, the Mojave Road traverses MNP, from the Colorado to Afton Canyon.

http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisit/mojave-road.htm

A historical extension would take travelers form the terminus of the Mojave Rd to Walker Pass, Tehachapi, or the Cajon Pass. These were settlers and soldiers after all, not tourists.


One of my favorite places to camp in DVNP is beside Eureka Dunes.

[TrailerparkTrash]

The Mojave Road is a great trip. But it does not go to or through DVNP. Rather, the Mojave Road traverses MNP, from the Colorado to Afton Canyon.

Yes! you're right about that. The road actually runs south of the park itself and right in the middle of the Mojave Nat'l preserve. One good benefit of this is that depending on the time of year (season), one can hunt within the preserve, whereas one can NOT hunt within DVNP.

Once out of the preserve, one can also target shoot in some good places too.

[Southwest Chuck]

Got 4wd? Lots of neat stuff in Butte Valley like Striped Butte, Geologist's Cabin, Ol' Chuck Manson's former hideout, etc. and AFAIK, you can camp anywhere back in that area. You need to be prepared though as it can snow there pretty good in winter when a cold storm rolls thru.

Striped Butte and hiking to the top are awesome - you're driving along a canyon and all of a sudden you enter a valley and here's this gigantic multi-colored rock formation thrust up nearly 5000' above the floor of the valley!

http://www.death-valley.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=61772

Don't forget about Warm Springs Camp, Stella's Place, Russel's, etc. Lots to see there. This is one of the best books out there for Hiking Death Valley

You can probably post an inquiry at the Panamint Springs sponsored forum, Death Valey Talk to get more info. If you register, your post will immediately show up. If posting without Registering (it's free) your post has to go through a moderator and will be delayed.



In the end OP, I think more info is necessary to give you more options and better answer your question. Type of vehicle you have can make a big difference on what areas you can safely access for your visit. Just be prepared. People still die out there nearly every year. I've rescued a few people over the years, that had no business being where they were, and would have been in a bad way if I had not happen along. Stay safe!