Where to boondock in or near Death Valley

Not sure that the rattlers are always hibernating in the cold -- we almost stepped on one when we were in Utah in the Valley of the Gods, when it was in the low 30s. He was a little one, and he was moving slowly, but he coiled up when he realized we were so near.

So I would keep a lookout for snakes, but that would not deter me from going to Death Valley.

Also, have you looked at the area near Eureka Dunes? I am pretty sure there is boondocking not far from there, although I have never been there myself.

If you can bring everything with you and pack everything out "The Pads" on Hwy 190 just East of the park is an interesting place to camp. There are concrete slabs spaced as if for a trailer park with the remnants of water and electric connections (Watch out for ground rods sticking up near the slabs - just right to pop a tire if you don't see them).

Second the suggestion to stop at the Visitors' Center and ask - that's where I learned about the Pads.

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions - really appreciate it all. Will head out soon. I'll be OK if it's a bit cold, as I've tent camped down into the low 20s and use my Little Buddy heater.

We usually camp in two places just outside park boundary. Lake Bonnie Clair which is a dry lake bed next to Scotty's Cutoff road, or near Ballarat just west of the park. Wildrose is a good spot inside the park with outhouses and tables, free camping, access for larger campers, water taps, etc.. 4000' elevation though.

You'll be very limited as to where to boondock in a national park. Read the park's web site as given above. They're very serious as to where you can camp.

If you want a campground in the park, Mesquite Springs is the best...nice sites and scenic area.

It's going to be very cold there at this time of year and no, there won't be rattlers or tarantulas out in winter. :) Have fun!

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!

we have not explored all the back roads in DV but you will find some nice isolated camping spots up in Wild Rose Canyon. Stop in at the visitors center, tell them what you're looking for and let them put some marks on your park map.

Near there is a popular spot called Trona Pinnacles

https://www.campendium.com/trona-pinnacles

I have not camped in that area but this may help.

freecampsites.net

Campendium

DVNP page on backcountry camping, which includes a list of places where it is NOT allowed:

http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm