During the 1849 California Gold Rush a handful of eager prospectors left their caravan, striking out on their own in the hope of striking it rich. Instead, the desert claimed them.

Today, a descent into Death Valley immerses you in scenic overload. While often associated with Badwater Basin, a marshy salt flat that, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest spot in the United States, the 3.4 million acre National Park is staggeringly beautiful. Towering hills create a patchwork quilt of color. Pale yellow dunes shift in lazy rivers. Marble-walled gorges gleam in the desert sun. Despite names like Coffin Peak, Badwater and Devil’s Gold, this Southern California National Park is bustling with life. Bighorn sheep, kit foxes, coyotes, jackrabbits and roadrunners all call this place home. And, when the rains come, wildflowers carpet the valley floor.

But, no matter what time of year you visit, Death Valley can always be counted on for incredible sightseeing, rewarding hikes and terrific off-roading. Over 350 miles of unpaved roads beckon to the visitor with a 4WD. The hiking trails, which lead up parti-colored cliffs and down into shear-sided gorges can be challenging; but if you like rugged outdoors adventure, don’t miss the chance to walk through this Valley of Death.

Vistas to Visit in Death Valley:

  • Artist's Drive
    Telescope Peak – at over 11,000 feet the highest point in the park comes at the end of a demanding hike, rewarding climbers with spectacular views. Plan on this trip taking most of the day.
  • Badwater Basin – a salt flat containing the lowest point in the United States
  • Eureka Dunes – 600-foot-tall towers of shifting sand rippling across the desert
  • Golden Canyon – this trail winds between shining cliffs that blaze in the sun.
  • Artist’s Drive – oxidation of various metals has produced a rainbow of colored rock visible along this 9-mile drive through the Black Mountains.
  • Panamint Mountains – hiking and mountain biking are popular here and the view of 6,433-foot Aguereberry Point is incredible.
  • Mosaic Canyon – hike 2.5 miles up a stunning alluvial fan. The trail narrows suddenly as smooth marble walls outline a split in the face of Tucki Mountain.
  • Devil’s Golf Course – at this expansive salt field you can actually witness crystallization at work as lakes and ponds evaporate, leaving only salt flats behind.

Where to stay when visiting Death Valley

Furnace Creek Resort (www.furnacecreekresort.com) – Located in the heart of Death Valley, this resort was

Badwater
a working ranch in the 1880s. Furnace Creek offers three restaurants, a saloon and a general store. Swim in the pool. Play a round at the world’s lowest golf course. Take a guided tour on horseback or a rustic and romantic carriage ride. The relatively few full hookup sites at the Ranch go quickly, but the National Park Service operates three dry campgrounds surrounding Furnace Creek.

  • Call 760.786.2345 for full hookup reservations
  • Call 877.444.6777 for dry camp information
  • Heated pools, lighted tennis courts on site
  • Hiking or horseback riding in Death Valley National park (www.furnacecreekstables.net)
  • Park Service interpretive programs (October – May)

Services vary seasonally, so call ahead for dates and availability. Furnace Creek Resort is located approximately 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 295 miles northeast of Los Angeles. GPS coordinates: N36 27.413 W116 51.939.

Golden Canyon
Panamint Springs Resort (www.deathvalley.com/psr) is about 10 miles inside the western entrance to Death Valley National Park overlooking the Panamint Valley. Not only a great place to set up camp for exploring the Park, but also a good home base to explore nearby ghost towns, abandoned mines and desert waterfalls. Rustic authenticity. Incredible views. Easy access to picturesque Death Valley.

  • Full hookup camping
  • 24 hour fuel station
  • WiFi
  • Restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and over 100 beers from around the world
  • Pet friendly

Panamint Springs is located at 40440 Hwy 190, 32 Miles West of Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328. GPS: 36°20’20"N 117°28’8"W. Call 775.482.7680 for reservations and more information.

Preferred RV Park (www.preferredrv.com) is centrally located between Las Vegas, Death Valley, Hoover Dam and Tecopa Hot Springs. The park offers preferred membership benefits via several camping organizations: Coast to Coast, RPI, Resorts of Distinction, Passport America, Camp Club USA and Recreation USA.

  • Full hookup with 30 and 50 amp electric
  • 275 sites
  • Clubhouse
  • Restrooms and bathhouse
  • 3 laundry facilities
  • Game room and TV lounge
  • 24-hour manned gate

Located at 1801 E. Crawford Way Pahrump, NV 89048. GPS: 36.2136N, -115.9913W. Call 1.800.445.7840 for rates and reservations.

Side Trips:

Flowers bloom in Death Valley
Just east of Death Valley National Park you will find the Amargosa Opera House (www.amargosa-opera-house.com). The venue itself is a historical work of art, its walls covered with murals depicting scenes of 16th-century Spanish life: royalty, clergy, gypsies and dedicated partiers. The Opera House is located in Death Valley Junction, CA at the intersection of highways 190 and 127. Call 760.852.4441 for tour information and show times.

RVers with a sweet tooth may want to detour into Nevada to visit Death Valley Candy and Nut Company (775.553.2100), a Wonka-sized wonder on Highway 95 in Beatty, Nevada. Chocolate, nuts, homemade ice cream and sugar, sugar, sugar as far as the eye can see. You can fuel up your rig here too, in case you need a “reason” to stop.

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