Forum Discussion

Itching2go's avatar
Itching2go
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2019

Death Valley recommendations?

We’ll be leaving Las Vegas on 3/18 and are considering heading over to Death Valley NP for a few days. Never been there, and am looking for some thoughts and suggestions as to what to see, and how long and where to stay. Our rig is a 40’ fiver, and we didn’t bring our generator, so looking for at least W&E hookups. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. TIA...

18 Replies

  • It's going to be crowded this March, and for good reason -- the above-average rain should produce a super bloom of wildflowers.
  • “Definitely check out Scotties Castle.” Been closed, closed now, reopens sometime in 2020.
  • Death Valley is primarily about natural earth formations in the desert. There are long distances and slow going dirt roads to get close to many of these features. Some need a hike in.

    For instance are you ready to drive three hours of washboard to see the racetrack where the stones 'mysteriously' move across a sometimes wet playa?

    https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/the-racetrack.htm
  • Get out and look around. Disconnect from your trailer and get away from Furnace Creek.
    The best jet watching is outside the Park but near it.
    I have an RV but rarely take it to Death Valley so we can camp away from people. We see no one at night.
    DVNP is the largest park in the Lower 48. You can get as lost as you want.
    I like the wild donkeys.
  • Love touring Death Valley. We initially stayed in our 5'vr-at Furnace Creek campground. During a heavy rain storm the campground host told us to get out immediately. We ended up Stovepipe Wells-higher ground. Keep an eye out for the weather. Definitely check out Scotties Castle.
  • We try go to Death Valley every couple of years and we see something new every time. Our last trip was fantastic, on the way, we stopped in the middle of nowhere for lunch. While sitting in the shade eating, we were "buzzed" by a fighter jet that literarily shook the ground where we were sitting. It was a moment that we still look back on and share a laugh at our expressions when it was happening. We visited the Father Thomas Crawly (sp) Outlook where Fighter Jets were training. There were lots of people just hanging out and waiting for them to fly by. We also took a day trip to Titus Canyon and the Leadfield Ghost Town. We also took the time to visit Manzanar, one of the Japanese Internment Camps from WWII along the way. It was quite an emotional event trying to explain to my Granddaughter it's history and the events surrounding it. At Furnace Creek, there is a Resort/RV Park that we try to utilize when we can, it is fairly commercial with lots of amenities if we can get reservations, that is where we prefer to stay. Nearby, there is also a BLM campground with limited Hookups and they have an Overflow spot, but no hookups. JH
  • Hi
    Scotty's castle I believe is still closed due to flooding that occurred....not scheduled to open again till next year although I think I read that some type of construction overview is available???

    There are not a lot of hook up locations in Death Valley proper except for the Furnace Creek location and possibility one other. I can suggest the Casino/RV Park in Amaragosa Valley....very close to the turn off to Death Valley(short drive into the Park)...full hook ups and the price is right at 25.00 per night.

    On edit....Long Street Casino RV Park is the name.
  • I love Death Valley and this is a great time to go. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells are probably your best bets if you can get reservations. Other sites are mostly dry.
    Make sure you go to Scotties Castle and take the tour and stop in the National Parks Visitors Center for maps and places of interest.

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,730 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 06, 2022