Death Valley trip?

[Waterjunky]

Hello all,
Thinking about doing a family trip to Death Valley, between Christmas and New Years in the RV. Looking for suggestions of where to stay and things to do. Debating about doing some off roading, or just sightseeing and hiking.
Post up some ideas!
Thanks!

 

[WhatExit?]

Before you make any plans to visit DV you'll want to check on what roads are open. The West entrance to the park is closed as are others.

Here's current road conditions: https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

This isn't current but the info is worth a look:

There’s Now Only One Way Visitors Can Enter Death Valley National Park Following More Flooding

After intense flooding following a "1,000-year event," only one entrance is available to enter Death Valley. Read for more details.

www.travelawaits.com

 

[mjc]

We went last year and stayed in the furnace creek Campground. Only off roading in on some dirt roads since it is a national park. I would boondock out side the east entrance if i go again. We also got snow while we were there and roads out sucked after it.

 

[coolchange]

Up to Ryholite down thru Titus over to ubahetee crater is a nice easy day. There’s a mining camp near furnace creek not far off the road that’s cool. Those two in one day would be a full non rushed day. I almost said f it and went today. Haven’t been in 12 years. Went beach fishing instead.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Star Wars Canyon can be worth checking out.

 

[SoCalDave]

Went there some 30 years ago and stayed at one of the dry campgrounds for Thanksgiving. Visited to most of the sites and the weather was really nice at the time.
Would love to do it again with the grandkids.

 

[Waterjunky]

Yeah, if we took the Cruiser for any off road, it obviously not be in the park. . What else is in the area?

 

[RiverDave]

I didn’t know there was anything in Death Valley.. now I kinda want to check it out

 

[Dana757]

It’s an amazing place and yes there is great off reading there. It’s huge, I mean huge. You could spend a week there and just cover a fraction of that place. Take fuel as the gas station in Furnace Creek has always been the most expensive in the nation.

 

[MK1MOD0]

death Valley is amazing. Great off roading as well as just site seeing. Been going there for many years. Everything from , hiking trails to off road. Don forget there is Dumont dunes as well.

 

[Dana757]

Yeah, if we took the Cruiser for any off road, it obviously not be in the park. . What else is in the area?

No need to leave the park. If you want some spicy off roading do the Peasant Canyon loop or hit Lippencott to Saline Valley then up North Pass. Or take Saline Valley to the hot springs then up South Pass. To much to list!
I wouldn’t take an RV and camp out of the Jeep.

 

[PlumLoco]

We are headed to Saline hot springs next week. I've never been to Death Valley and the idea of 100 miles of dirt road in and out is giving me some anxiety for sure. My Jeep buddies say it is nothing but washboard, but the videos I have watched make it look like it is much better maintained than that. Recent rains have messed up a lot of roads too. Does anyone have good intel on the current road in from 395 to the hot springs camping area? We will be driving an old lifted Highlander with good tires and new shocks.

 

[Dana757]

Shoot, now I’m fired up to go. Goler Wash, Barker Ranch (Manson hide out), Russel cabin, the Geologist Cabin (super cool), Warm Springs Mine, Mengal Pass are a few things in the south west area.

 

[Dana757]

We are headed to Saline hot springs next week. I've never been to Death Valley and the idea of 100 miles of dirt road in and out is giving me some anxiety for sure. My Jeep buddies say it is nothing but washboard, but the videos I have watched make it look like it is much better maintained than that. Recent rains have messed up a lot of roads too. Does anyone have good intel on the current road in from 395 to the hot springs camping area? We will be driving an old lifted Highlander with good tires and new shocks.

It is wash board the whole way on Saline valley. Worth it as the hot springs are very cool. And the jets fly through there on the way to Star Wars. I had a jet buzz me out there. Take gas on that route.

 

[mothershipper]

Check out the National Park link as to what roads are closed right now. My family has been going there since the mid 50's for turkey day, A lot of roads are closed right now because of the flooding in August. Plan accordingly. FYI - Townes pass is closed as of right now and I do not suggest driving through Wildrose/Emigrant with anything big trailer wise. I'm going out next week Thursday for our annual family get together and I'll post some pics when I get time. But tell everyone you know that the place sucks and don't go there. Don't want it to turn into another Yosemite...........

 

[TPC]

Rangers told us if you boondock they ask to be at least a mile off the main Highway. We took that as to blend in to the scenery more.
Check to see if Scottys Castle is reopened.

Scotty's Castle - Death Valley Conservancy

Take a virtual reality tour of the amazing Spanish-style mansion known as Scotty’s Castle, nestled in Death Valley National Park.

www.dvconservancy.org

 

[Boatymcboatface]

We go every year for a memorial golf tournament at furnace creek golf course. We stay at the hotel right next to the golf course but they also have two rv campgrounds right next to the course. It is absolutely beautiful in the winter! We see lots of people boondocking in all types of rigs. Always wanted to go back and do exploring but the views and scenery from the course is amazing wild animals and mountains for days to look at while sipping drinks and cruising the golf cart. My brother and dad constantly have to remind me it’s my turn to hit because I’m day dreaming and starring at the surroundings.

 

[calkid]

If you've not been before, "off road" is street licensed only. The National Park does not consider SXS's street legal no matter where it's plated. As Dana757 said, entering the park from the Trona side is my favorite area. Going in as far as Striped Butte Valley can be a long day trip from Ballarat but better done in two days or more.

 

[WhatExit?]

We've been going there for years and we also do an annual Presidents Day weekend trip. All of our trips are "overlanding" as we don't stay in a basecamp. We've been all over that park and still could never see it all. So many great places to go and experience. The elevation changes alone are amazing from below sea level to thousands of feet up. One of the greatest parks for Jeep exploring and camping. Lots of mines if you're into that and plenty of mining cabins and old mining site. Plus Barker Ranch (burned down)...

 

[coolchange]

Check out the “pads” just outside the park.
Schwab is a quick trip from furnace creek and pretty cool.
My brother goes and disappears for a week in the Panamints.

 

[Waterjunky]

The Cruiser is plated but not going to pass a visual....... I have no windshield or mud flaps to start the issues.

When people say roads and trails, are we talking stock vehicles or real off road? If stock how are you defining it?

 

[Waterjunky]

I am looking for somewhere to go between the holidays that is not a stupid drive for a modest trip from the Sac region. I have done a lot of the areas in NorCal that are not snowed in and looking for some alternatives. I am not really up for driving for 11 hours to get to the areas further south down near imperial and the river. It will burn too much of the trip time.

Any other suggestions for regions?

 

[coolchange]

There is some passenger car stuff. A lot of 2 wheel higher clearance trips. A lot of 4 by, short of crawler stuff. If you’ve never been there, go. I don’t think rangers will give you grief. How hard is it to make a winfdshield.

 

[rivermobster]

If you've not been before, "off road" is street licensed only. The National Park does not consider SXS's street legal no matter where it's plated. As Dana757 said, entering the park from the Trona side is my favorite area. Going in as far as Striped Butte Valley can be a long day trip from Ballarat but better done in two days or more.

Sorry. Trona is closed.

 

[BIGRED9158]

Look Terra crew Death Valley on YouTube they just did a big ride up there and shared the route with all the stops and stuff on the onx off road app

 

[WhatExit?]

The Cruiser is plated but not going to pass a visual....... I have no windshield or mud flaps to start the issues.

When people say roads and trails, are we talking stock vehicles or real off road? If stock how are you defining it?

There are, or were prior to the last storm, plenty of roads through DV for cars and those amazing off road vehicles, Subarus (they can go anywhere just ask their Birkenstock-wearing owners). But there's so much DV to see off road and most of it can be done in 2WD (on a 4x4 vehicle). There's plenty of 4x4-ing to be done in DV - many many miles to enjoy.

Maps:

Maps - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Riding California Off Road ATV and SUV Trails

GPS, GoogleEarth kml files and descriptions for off-roading trails in California.

offroadinghome.com

 

[LazyLavey]

Up to Ryholite down thru Titus over to ubahetee crater is a nice easy day. There’s a mining camp near furnace creek not far off the road that’s cool. Those two in one day would be a full non rushed day. I almost said f it and went today. Haven’t been in 12 years. Went beach fishing instead.

get bit?

 

[coolchange]

get bit?

One hard snap and it let go. Guy got a halibut

 

[Dana757]

The Cruiser is plated but not going to pass a visual....... I have no windshield or mud flaps to start the issues.

When people say roads and trails, are we talking stock vehicles or real off road? If stock how are you defining it?

Any 4x4 with low range is fine for most of it. It’s not about the obstacles but about the adventure. DV is one of the most remote parts of the US. A reliable rig is key. You don’t want to end up like the DV Germans. I wouldn’t take anything with out a windshield myself. When it’s blowing 50+, cold AF and you’re 100 miles from base camp you’ll want some shelter in a fully enclosed rig.

 

[rivermobster]

These wouldn't upload yesterday...

 

[Mandelon]

That lakebed with the rocks that move themselves is a long drive out, but pretty darn cool. The racetrack: https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/the-racetrack.htm

 

[Mandelon]

Five Death Valley Ghost Towns Worth the Trek

Deep in the Mojave Desert, where California fades into Nevada, the ragged remains of ghost towns are strewn across salt-crusted soil, lost at the ends of bumpy roads, and tucked into rocky mountain…

www.moon.com

We did this years ago with the kids and some friends. It was pretty awesome. Definitely worth the adventure.

 

[rivermobster]

I am looking for somewhere to go between the holidays that is not a stupid drive for a modest trip from the Sac region. I have done a lot of the areas in NorCal that are not snowed in and looking for some alternatives. I am not really up for driving for 11 hours to get to the areas further south down near imperial and the river. It will burn too much of the trip time.

Any other suggestions for regions?

I would think Nevada for you? No suggestions from me. Haven't done any off roading in Nevada, other than around Tahoe and stuff.

I've seen pretty much everything on the trails of DV. From dirt bikes to full size trucks. You can take whatever you want.

From my point of view, the new generation of UTV's are Perfect to explore DV. There are lots of destination rides, so covering a lot of ground quickly is the way to do it.

Gonna be Slow going in a Jeep or anything bigger, so you probably won't get to see as much.

 

[Waterjunky]

Thanks for the leads on this. It will give me a little bit of a starting point for more research.


Thanks all

Any other ideas, feel free to toss them out.

 

[Mike K]

Second the recommendation about checking in advance if the roads are open.
Many peeps in cars got stuck .

 

[Racey]

I didn’t know there was anything in Death Valley.. now I kinda want to check it out

Scotty's castle is pretty neat from what i remember going as a kid

 

[HTTP404]

This story has always intrigued me. These poor German tourists went missing in Death Valley while trying to go over Mengel Pass in a mini van. Took years to find them. Very sad but good read here.

The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans

This is the tale of what for me was a rather remarkable adventure. It was assembled on the basis of my personal recollection and experience, emails, GPS logs and some official documents. It represents solely the perspective and opinions of myself, in my more lucid moments. It is in no way...

www.otherhand.org

 

[Mikes56]

We do a Harley trip every couple of years there. We stay in a hotel in Beatty, NV. Everything is crazy expensive in Death Valley, gas and diesel is probably $10 a gallon at Furnace Creek.

The hotel in Beatty has a casino inside so it’s fun to stay there.

 

[WildHorses24]

These wouldn't upload yesterday... View attachment 1171788

Geologist Cabin, impressive if that van came from Goler Wash over Mengal Pass from Panamint Valley entrance... I was last in this area about 4 years ago and the trail from PV to DV was pretty bad, we had to pull a stock 4wd Tacoma out of a tuff spot and send him back to the southeast entrance which is a dirt road. Stopped at all these places and even spent the night at Maggie's Cabin. The history on the area is very cool. "These canyons are full of ghosts" is a great read and lot of history connected to IE/San Bernardino area. I think the thing that surprised me most about southern DV was the amount of running water everywhere...

Photo of me sitting in the same spot "bathroom" where they found Manson under the sink...

This story has always intrigued me. These poor German tourists went missing in Death Valley while trying to go over Mengel Pass in a mini van. Took years to find them. Very sad but good read here.

The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans

This is the tale of what for me was a rather remarkable adventure. It was assembled on the basis of my personal recollection and experience, emails, GPS logs and some official documents. It represents solely the perspective and opinions of myself, in my more lucid moments. It is in no way...

www.otherhand.org

This is a great read, thank you. Sidenote; Pretty sure 5oclocksomewhere's dad owned/owns Millers Towing, who towed the van out? maybe he's not on here anymore...

 

[rivermobster]

Geologist Cabin, impressive if that van came from Goler Wash over Mengal Pass from Panamint Valley entrance... I was last in this area about 4 years ago and the trail from PV to DV was pretty bad, we had to pull a stock 4wd Tacoma out of a tuff spot and send him back to the southeast entrance which is a dirt road. Stopped at all these places and even spent the night at Maggie's Cabin. The history on the area is very cool. "These canyons are full of ghosts" is a great read and lot of history connected to IE/San Bernardino area. I think the thing that surprised me most about southern DV was the amount of running water everywhere...

Photo of me sitting in the same spot "bathroom" where they found Manson under the sink...
View attachment 1173198 View attachment 1173199

This is a great read, thank you. Sidenote; Pretty sure 5oclocksomewhere's dad owned/owns Millers Towing, who towed the van out? maybe he's not on here anymore...

That van was a Trip! Full on retired 4x4 ambulance, with a lot of the equipment still in it!

The driver was a wealth of knowledge. He knew tons of trivia about everything out there.

I'm looking forward to going back. And yeah...

There was water all over the place. I was surprised at that too!

I'll let you know next time we go.

 

[NicPaus]

This story has always intrigued me. These poor German tourists went missing in Death Valley while trying to go over Mengel Pass in a mini van. Took years to find them. Very sad but good read here.

The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans

This is the tale of what for me was a rather remarkable adventure. It was assembled on the basis of my personal recollection and experience, emails, GPS logs and some official documents. It represents solely the perspective and opinions of myself, in my more lucid moments. It is in no way...

www.otherhand.org

Thanks for posting. I read it last night. Props to the Guy who found them.

I recall a story of a Guy going missing south of there not far from a friend's mine off rice road. I think it was Wyrd brother from on here or Glamis Dunes. Never found Him. They are 18 miles off rice and have a bunch of stories of people out there in 2wd vehicles looking for treasures or properties. If they got stuck it would be months before someone would find them.

 

[rivermobster]

This story has always intrigued me. These poor German tourists went missing in Death Valley while trying to go over Mengel Pass in a mini van. Took years to find them. Very sad but good read here.

The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans

This is the tale of what for me was a rather remarkable adventure. It was assembled on the basis of my personal recollection and experience, emails, GPS logs and some official documents. It represents solely the perspective and opinions of myself, in my more lucid moments. It is in no way...

www.otherhand.org

That was a good read. Thank you.

 

[mjc]

That was a good read. Thank you.

Click on his link to the hunt for 928. I read it some times ago and when I read this I kept thinking it was a familiar read. The 928 is in the same area and written the same way.

 

[rivermobster]

Click on his link to the hunt for 928. I read it some times ago and when I read this I kept thinking it was a familiar read. The 928 is in the same area and written the same way.

I did! It's now on my reading list.

 

[Waterjunky]

Looks like phenomenal area to go explore. Not 100% sure between the holidays is the best time. Still working on that. My RV is not a big fan of washboard roads. Dirt is fine, miles of washboard or rutted is not its first choice. A modest distance could be accomplished - just slow. The wife is not happy when dishes are broken in the cabinets and everything exits the fridge when its opened.

It would be fun to get a group together, meet a few of you all. Put faces to the names and have a group to run around a little with or at least in camp and drinking + fires.

 

[mothershipper]

I’m here now through the Sunday after next.

 

[500bbc]

Hello all,
Thinking about doing a family trip to Death Valley, between Christmas and New Years in the RV. Looking for suggestions of where to stay and things to do. Debating about doing some off roading, or just sightseeing and hiking.
Post up some ideas!
Thanks!

Watch The Hills Have Eyes with the family right before departure.

 

[mothershipper]

A few pictures of the trip so far. The first pictures are from the hike to Lemoinge canyon. Then the last two are from today’s hike to Darwin falls.

 

[mothershipper]