baron
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 1-29-2008
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death valley re visited.
OK dudes....
After just crossing the TJ border last nite (1 1/2 hrs) I find myself in a la mesa trailer park and still feel like I am on Baja time. For six weeks
we camped every nite from my fwd (chevy) pickup with palomino camper down and around the Cape and up the Pacific. Now I want to continue the laid
back camp scene in warmer places in and about the National Monument of DV.
Can someone tell me 3 to 5 perfectly reasonable places to continue that daily life style up in that area on my way North?
The pictures were great but camp spots is what I am now looking for.
Muchas gracias......
baron
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stimbo
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Posts: 289
Registered: 3-4-2008
Location: Crowley Lake, CA
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death valley
| Quote: | Originally posted by baron
OK dudes....
After just crossing the TJ border last nite (1 1/2 hrs) I find myself in a la mesa trailer park and still feel like I am on Baja time. For six weeks
we camped every nite from my fwd (chevy) pickup with palomino camper down and around the Cape and up the Pacific. Now I want to continue the laid
back camp scene in warmer places in and about the National Monument of DV.
Can someone tell me 3 to 5 perfectly reasonable places to continue that daily life style up in that area on my way North?
The pictures were great but camp spots is what I am now looking for.
Muchas gracias......
baron |
If you want a campground, there are several in the National Park:
Furnace Creek
Sunset
Texas Springs
Stovepipe Wells
These all have water and restrooms. If you want free camping, you can go to "dispersed" areas. You will have to go to the Park Headquarters at Furnace
Creek and get directions. There are too many to describe here. The flowers should be on the verge of blooming. Your timing may be good. Jim
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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IMO, the best of the developed campgrounds is the Mesquite Spring campground. It has the best separation of sites of the developed ones. It is also
the closest to some of my favorite "attractions" in the Valley; Titus Canyon and Rhyolite, Ubeheebe and The Racetrack. And you're not that far from
the dunes near Stovepipe Wells. Of course, "far" is a relative term; in DV, the distances are great between the attractions. It is a huge place.
DVNP is still allowing dispersed camping in self-contained vehicles in various parts of the park. Here is a map that shows the developed sites and the areas where dispersed camping is allowed.
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2103
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Never would have imagined they would allow dispersed camping in a NP. BLM lands and National Forest are great and you can unleash your dog!
Now for a suggestion for warm north of the border camp sites, try the Colorado River areas or the Salton Sea.
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Ken Bondy
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The Stovepipe Wells campground looked very nice (we saw it a few weeks ago). All the basics, hookups, water, showers, rest rooms. And if you want
some civilization, there is a nice bar/restaurant right across the street. Excellent central location in DV, good food, friendly people, que mas
quieres?? ++Ken++
carpe diem!
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Hook
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No hookups or store at Mesquite Spring. That is part of the appeal.
In mid March, areas above 3000 feet will be very comfortable during the day but still nippy at night. The valley floor can already be quite hot during
the day.
If this was April, I would point you towards the area around Wildrose and the camping areas near Aguereberry Point. Pinyon pine camping with a view of
the valley floor. Nice!!!! But possibly too cold at night.
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Skipjack Joe
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We like Stovepipe Wells the most because it and Furnace Creek are significantly warmer than the others in the winter time. Furnace Creek, however, is
too crowded for our taste. Those low elevation campgrounds seem to warm the fastest and hold those temperatures longer.
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Hook
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Mesquite Spring is only 1800 feet. It should be nice with this high pressure holding.
The CG at Stovepipe is OK. I just dont like the sounds of all the traffic coming down 190 from Trona or Lone Pine. And there will be traffic this week
as this is THE major spring break week in the US.
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tripledigitken
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If you plan to explore the west end of the park and need hookup try Panamint Springs. Good restaurant across the street with local ales on tap!
Darwin Falls, Wildrose, Charcoal Kilns, and Saline Valley all within 60+- min drive.
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bkbend
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Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
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I've been a fan of Texas Spring for the central location. No hookups but water and a dump station are available and just off the valley floor to
block out moderate (but not high) winds.
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Sunman
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Location: Oxnard
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If you are looking for some solitude follow the road out of the Stovepipe Wells campground past the airport and out into Cottonwood Canyon, tons of
off the grid camping opportunities.
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baron
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 1-29-2008
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thanks for all the input. Quiet is key when I go camping so the solitude of hidden places is appealing. Right now I am trying to pretend the sound
of the freeway in the early morning ratrace is the sound of the sea shore. It kind of works......
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