Where to boondock in or near Death Valley
Yes, I did do a search and read the other threads, but most were old and I would like to know if anyone has anything new. I'm heading to Death Valley in a few days (mid December) and am wondering a...
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I think you will find you generally need to be 2 miles off the pavement, but the park is wide open! A trip up Echo Canyon to the Inyo Mine area might be your cup of tea.
The road over Mengal Pass is one of the more challenging 4x4 routes, but you get access to Charlie Manson's hide out at Barker Ranch on the way and Warm Springs camp. Easy road to this point from the east, but road deteriorates going west. Some nice abandoned mine equipment.
The ghost town of Greenwater is currently not much more that a pile of of historical artifacts (junk)at a crossroads. Good flat area to explore. A bit further south up Gold Canyon are numerous mine ruins and a spring.
Really want to get away? The 21 mile plus in and out route into the southern most part of the park and Owlshead Mountains has lots of boondocking opportunities. There are old mine ruins along the way that would be an ideal area IMO.
Around Ibex mine on the south end of the park, you will find good access with expansive views. I don't recall if Saratoga Springs is posted no camping or not. There is a parking area, and more water than you will expect to see!
On the north end of the park, the trip to Gold Point is a good high clearance road with unlimited boondocking opportunities. Lots of open space near the Racetrack, but I recall some no camping signs right at the parking areas there.
I have not explored the NW corner of the park at all yet, but hope to do so in the near future. One thing for sure with my recommendations, you can't mind long rough dirt roads!
Good luck!
The road over Mengal Pass is one of the more challenging 4x4 routes, but you get access to Charlie Manson's hide out at Barker Ranch on the way and Warm Springs camp. Easy road to this point from the east, but road deteriorates going west. Some nice abandoned mine equipment.
The ghost town of Greenwater is currently not much more that a pile of of historical artifacts (junk)at a crossroads. Good flat area to explore. A bit further south up Gold Canyon are numerous mine ruins and a spring.
Really want to get away? The 21 mile plus in and out route into the southern most part of the park and Owlshead Mountains has lots of boondocking opportunities. There are old mine ruins along the way that would be an ideal area IMO.
Around Ibex mine on the south end of the park, you will find good access with expansive views. I don't recall if Saratoga Springs is posted no camping or not. There is a parking area, and more water than you will expect to see!
On the north end of the park, the trip to Gold Point is a good high clearance road with unlimited boondocking opportunities. Lots of open space near the Racetrack, but I recall some no camping signs right at the parking areas there.
I have not explored the NW corner of the park at all yet, but hope to do so in the near future. One thing for sure with my recommendations, you can't mind long rough dirt roads!
Good luck!
