Planning trip to Death Valley California

Last time we went we stayed at Panamint Springs RV park. It has full hookups and nice views from the RV Park. Also nice restaurant. It is far from some parts of Death Valley though. But then Death Valley is huge and no matter where you stay you will be far from something.

We have been twice in January. To us that is a great time to go. Daytime weather usually is great. We also went once at the end of April. Way too hot. It was over 100. The flowers bloom in DV end of Feb to now not April. The restaurant at the Furnace Creak Inn is excellent. As in fantastic. Not cheap, but very good.

Next time we go we are going to stay in the dry camp lot across the street from the Furnace Creek campground. FC area is the best location, at least most central. If you have not been to Scotty's Castle to me it is a must see. Very nice piece of history.

If you come in from the west the road from Panamint Springs into the park is a tough route for an RV. It is VERY steep and VERY long. I don't recommend that in an RV.

I suggest Furnace Creek with hookups unless you want to dry camp.

No clubs needed at Devils Golf course
Borax works
Death Valley Ranch (Scotty's)
Charcoal Kilns
Artists Drive/Artist Palette
Telescope Peak (strong hikers only)
Badwater
Ubehebe Crater
Pup fish/Salt Creek
Drive the full Titus Canyon Road(not while raining/snowing like I did)
Leadville
Dantes View
Auguereberry Point
Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Historic Stovepipe Well
Hungry Bill's Cabin up Johnson Canyon (difficult)
Racetrack/Grandstand (long washboard)
Rhyolite Ghost town
Mosaic Canyon (easy hike)

And a ton more stuff I have not seen yet. Need a jeep or other 4wd for much of this. Lots of the interesting points and history is about the mining and just surviving the heat.

Last trip I was reading stories each night from this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Death-Valley-Scotty-Told-Me/dp/1878900080

I love DV. I went every January for 12 years on motorcycles and every year was different due to the weather impact on the place.
Stay at Furnace Creek, it gives better access to more stuff than Stovepipe Wells. It also has much better services and more things to do. The little museum at FC is worth a couple of hours, especially the machinery. The old Atlas diesel is very interesting. The restuarants aren't bad and the pool is great.
Someone mentioned Dante's Overlook. Get there close to dawn or sunset for spectacular views. The wildflowers at this time of year will be everywhere if there has been any rain.
I like Scotty's Castle. Yeah, it is a little pricey, but worth it to me. Be sure to see the Pelton Wheel generator. If you have the time, go to Ryolite ghost town.
If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle there are hundreds of miles of roads and trails to explore. Best to travel with a buddy, though.
You didn't ask about routes. If you plan to come into DV from the west, note that the section of 190 west of Panamint Springs to the 136 intersection can be a real driving test in a large coach. 178 from Tonapah to Panamint Springs would be my choice instead. The route via Baker and Shoshone is no problem. Stop for lunch at the Mad Greek in Baker if you come that way.
be sure to spend a few days in DV. You can't see it all in just one or two days.

Cheers,

Bob

Don't forget Dante's View which is about 5,000 feet and gives you an incredible view of Death Valley. I visited in April and it was very cold up there, and in the 80's on the floor. Take a jacket and be prepared for the cold, and the heat.

Look on recreation.gov and Furnace Creek Ranch Resort. Furnace Creek has full hookup sights inside where the hotel is and also behind the gas station they have dry camping. Rec.gov is where you would reserve for the campground away from Furnace creek. We like to stay at Furnace Creek, either full hookups or the dry area as you get to use the pool which is warm water spring fed. Ther is other places such as Stovepipe Wells which has dry as well as some electric only sites. Google Stovepipe wells as its run by a different vendor than Furnace Creek or the .gov sites. Some stuff is first come first served and some is reservation only. I suggest reservations. We go there a couple times a year, even went on the 4th of July once to experiance the heat.

Bring your Jeep.

we like staying at Stove Pipe Wells campground, but AT&T cell phone service is zilch there...I think they're putting up a tower now. Over at Furnace Creek, there are three big campgrounds; one is like a regular campground and has hookups and pull throughs. Another one is across the road and is a very large parking lot, no hookups, and another sits up on a hill above the area...not sure about hookups on that one. These three are close to visitor center and cafe, etc. and the cell service (internet) is GOOD.
As stated, Scotty's Castle is real interesting, hope it is open again when you get there. If you're up for a loooong slow drive, go see the Racetrack. Take a lunch and plenty to drink.
Take a drive up Emigrant canyon and Wild Rose road.

I was there in November with our RV club for the 49er's celebration. That is held at Furnace Creek. There were probably around four or five hundred RVer's attending. There is a golf coarse and competition and many other activities. There is dry camping or hookups. There are many interesting things to do in Death Valley and like somebody else mentioned, it is huge.

If you can plan to be there in November it's fun to participate in the 49ers celebration in the park. The weather will still be very nice. In December/January it can be very cold.

There are some campgrounds in the park - dry camping and full hookups.

Scotty's Castle tour is an absolute must. It's fascinating. Unfortunately, it's closed right now because of a storm damage. Hopefully, it will be reopened by the time you get there. Check for updates as the time draws nearer. There are always ranger activities to join.

Here's the official web site with lots of good information:

http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

mc.cc wrote:
I am starting the planning for a trip to Death Valley this December. Any advice on where to stay and things that we must do? Thank you!

Best time of the year is April when all the flowers start to spring up. Check weather conditions a week prior to going at any time of the year. Strongly suggest that you have some" Emergency Road Side Assistant" program.