Travel Answers

Just want to make sure to get some great shots in. Anyone know of where to get the best shots? Also, anyone have any great ideas of interesting ways to shoot in the desert? Open to hearing about props, what to wear, etc.

Hi, we will be driving from San Francisco to Stovepipe Wells Death Valley via either interstate 5 or highway 99 in June & want to stay somewhere for 1 night en route, can anyone recommend any interesting places to stay? We would probably like to get as far as possible to our destination. Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you

Hi, me and my husband are travelling for 2 weeks around various places and we are due to drive from Yosemite to Death Valley. We are staying in Death Valley for 1 night at the Furnice Creek Ranch and then onto Las Vegas. I have seen various posts that it will take 7-8 hours to get to Death Valley, does this sound about right? Does anyone have any advice on the best route? We are only in death valley for 1 night so we are hoping to have the afternoon to see something, would anyone have any suggestions of the sights we could squeeze in for an afternoo, evening and early morning the following day? We are also travelling in June which looks like a bad time for the heat? Thanks in advance Kirsty

My girl friend and I are taking a 5 day road trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas for NYE. We are planning on spending 2 nights in Death Valley and 1 night in the Mojave (or vice versa). Any suggestions? Where should we spend 2 and 1 nights? Things we should not miss?

In late December, I will be renting a car in Las Vegas and driving to Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley. It looks like the most direct route is H-95 North from LV to 374 & 374 West to 190. My concern is weather. Are these roads open all winter? Need I worry about 4 wheel drive or chains? Is this the best route in order to avoid those issues, or should I take 373 off of 95 (become 127 in CA) & go down to 190 that way? Thanks for any advice.

i am planning a trip for my australian family of six in December-- flying into las vegas -we do want to go to grand canyon,bryce,monument,moab if we can do them . we want to drive through death valley up to yosemite then onto sfo.We have about 8 or 10 nights total from leaving lv to sfo (not sure how to work itinerary) not sure how to get from the canyon areas or monument valley over to death valley. pretty sure we have bitten off more than we can chew !!! .I need help -- well with everything! Any suggestions gratefully received !!.

We are planning to travel from Las Vegas to Yosemite via Death Valley in early January. My idea is to take 2 days to drive. Would we be better to drive South from Death Valley and then North through Bakersfield or North from DV through Bishop and then accross on Hwy 88? If South, where could we stay out of Death Valley but not as far as Bakersfield? If North, it looks like Lone Pine is a good option.

Hello travelers! I will be going to Las Vegas with my family for a few days starting next weekend, and I'm looking into the possibility of taking a day trip to Death Valley. We were considering a tour, but we prefer to have our own freedom of where and how long to visit the sights, to top it off, none of the tours we wanted to join were available on our desired travel dates. We will be renting a regular 4-door car, not an SUV and not a 4x4. The plan so far is to leave at around 5am in the morning, take the CA178 and onto Bad Water Road to sightsee on the way (Badwater, Devil's golf course, Artist's palette). Hopefully we'll reach Furnace Creek at around noon, where we'll be eating and checking out the visitor's centre. In the afternoon we'll make a quick drive to Devil's cornfield (and see the sand dunes), and go back to Dante's View, and take the 190 back to Las Vegas. Here are some of my concerns with sightseeing and road conditions: - I've read on wikitravel that chains may be needed, I've checked the weather conditions, seems like there's no snow for the past few days and no forcasted snow during our visit (next weekend). But I'd just like to ask for those of who's been there, would it be necessary to add the chains? - Though the weather seems fine, several roads seem to be closed from the Park's morning report as of Jan 28th: Hunter Mountain Road..CLOSED for the winter due to snow. Keane Wonder Road ....CLOSED; road and mining area closed to entry due to mine-safety hazards. Saline Valley (South Pass)..Signed CLOSED by Inyo County; 4x4 recommended; expect winter conditions, carry chains. Saline Valley (North Pass)..CLOSED for the winter due to snow. Titus Canyon Road .......Open, use caution Upper Wildrose Road....Open with snow 1/4 mile before kilns; road closed beyond kilns. Saratoga Springs ..........Road CLOSED due to mud. Would these roads affect my plan mentioned above? - On the general road conditions during winter, is there anything else that I should be noting down? Is my plan doable on a regular car? Lastly, are the sights manageable with the time I've allocated to it? Are there any changes to my sights that you would suggest?

My husband and daughter and I are considering travelling from Los Angeles for a viasit to Death Valley. We would probably leave in the morning from LA and stay over one night or maybe two. What would you suggest we do or must see's? Would it be advisable to stay 2 nights coming from LA and if so where would you suggest we stay? Also, is it necessary to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle? Thanks.

Hey We will travel around the SouthWest this April/May. End of April, we will leave Yosemite NP and move on to Death Valley. However, we just noticed that the road to the East in Yosemite will be closed, so we are forced to leave it to the South and drive all the way around Sequoia to reach DV. Because this makes the drive up to DV very long, we are looking for a decent hotel not too far from DV (we'd prefer driving most of the road on the day we leave Yosemite). Anyone had any experience with this? We are from Europe and finding hotels in between the 2 parks proves quite hard... Enjoy the Christmas days! Sylvie

We're planning a trip to DV in mid-March 2011 and wondering if anybody has a 3-4 day plan covering interesting spots at DV. That will help us a lot to plan our trip. Thanks,

Thinking about a trip to Death Valley between Christmas and New Year. Heard it rains a lot during that time of year. Is that true? Any other info? Thanks in advance.

Hi, We're planning a trip to DV in mid-March 2011 and are now wondering about the usual condition of the roads in and out of the park during that time of the year and hope to hear from people who've visited the park in the spring time. Can the roads be icy or can there still be snow in the higher altitudes in March? We're from Europe and not really familiar with the use of snowchains etc. will we need snow chains or is that no longer a concern in March? We're planning on hiring a sedan type of a car and will stay on the paved roads but the way in the park seems to go over mountains and that's our main concern. We're planning on staying for 3-4 nights in the park in order to have time to go on some moderate hikes and have time to enjoy the nature and scenery. We're grateful for all replies and advice!

Where could i find a city map of Palm Spring online? Thanks. (I can't find Palm spring forum, so post here to ask for help)

Does anybody know any tour companies that take people through Death Valley? I am coming alone and I am really keen to spend a 3 -4 days in the area checking it out. I will be around during the week commencing 18 October 2010

I visited Death Valley a few years ago, and would like to go back. I am planning to be prepared with a 4WD vehicle this time. What places would you recommend going with a 4WD? I am thinking the Racetrack, and the larger sand dunes. Where else? I appreciate any tips regarding these places or others. VT rocks!

Hi. My name is Denise and i am from Brazil.. Me and my husband will spend 15 days in california.. We will staay at LV and then go to Lee Vinning(the Tioga Pass Road on Yosemite..)I did a map in google with this directions: LV-95N-373-190-395. But I have another option that is from Parhump: LV-160-Ash Meadow Road-190-395 I'm so crazy about this.. I don't know which is the better way!! Can you please help me? I will travel this week!!! Kisses Denise

Hi, We are planning a road trip from Reno to Death Valley & Vegas. We will be travelling with a toddler, 2 yrs old. via 395. I would like to know whether it will be k to travel with a 2 yr old. I know from website the weather will be around 100-106/7. Is it worth going there. We are curious to see what DV actually looks like. We dont plan on hiking just going to take some pics and memories with us and then moving on to Vegas. Pls advise those who have done the trip with kids. Also any advice for the car and if there are any restaurants or gas stations in the park. Thanks

Planning on a Las vegas - DV - Yosemite trip in mid-september and all I read about Death Valley about this time of year is that it is unbearable and therefore should be avoided if possible. We will probably be doing this trip sometime about 15th-20th september. What would you recommend doing in DV/owens valley during that time of year if you got, let´s say 1 or 2 days for Vegas to Yosemite. The enormous heat is a bit of a concern since I don´t want to miss DV and this will be a chance of a lifetime it seems...

Hi I am planning to use a 2WD minivan in Death Valley National Park. Would I be able to see basic things like Scotty's castle, sand dunes, some scenery etc? My family includes my 74 year old mom who is used to hot weather but not very cold weather. Any tips are welcome and appreciated. Thanks Apurva

I also want to hike Telescope Peak and I'm doing a research. I'd appreciate any suggestions on hiking Telescope Peak in December. Thank you.

On 12/24 I'm leaving for San Diego where I want to rent a car and drive to Joshua Tree NP and then Death Valley NP. I definitely want to see Titus Canyon and I'm not sure if I need AWD. AVIS can't even guarantee that the car I reserved (I made a reservation for a standard SUV) is going to be AWD. I'm supposed to call them the day before to put in a request.But do I really need one? Thanks.

We are planning a day trip to Death Valley National Park starting early in the morning and returning back at night from Las vegas. Any recommendations on what we must visit and see will be greatly appreciated. Also, are there any accomodations close to Death Valley (Las Vegas side)? Thanks in advance for your recommendations. Victor

We visited Death Valley several years ago and loved it, we purchased a white jacket with your logo on it and would like to buy 2 more, where can we purchase them, They are white with navy lettering and have the Polar label in them. thanks for your help, we want to come visit again sometime soon. Regards, Patti

OK, I am going through Death Valley and want to spend one night there so as not to rush my trip. I cannot afford resorts. I will be there the last week of FEBRUARY. My plan is to drive in through Shoshone, up to Furnace Creek-Stove Pipe Wells and out through Panamint springs to hook up to I-395. Supposedly this trip from Shoshone to Panamint is a 4hr drive just in the park. I don't want to cram it all in a day, and I will probably want to get out and maybe even walk some trails. I noticed on the nps site that some campsites are only open Nov-April or when it is colder. I imagine then people camp outside in tents, as it's not brutally hot. Which campsite should I choose? Furnace Creek is more money, I am going up to Reno and to Utah and AZ and need to save cash everywhere I can. However, I still want to be safe. Another question, and this may be absurd- assuming people use tents, would it be OK just to sleep outside in sleeping bag? What are the sites set up like? I am concerned about safety and safety from animals. Please advise! Now that I think about it, when does the sun set there in FEB? Maybe the night is too long and I should just wake up extremely early and TRY and cram it in a day. Is it doable? Maybe the night there will be too long, with nothing to do. I am passing through alone. I will be sleeping the previous night in Las Vegas area, which is estimated to be a 2hr drive to the entrance to the park. Thanks.

Hi ! we'd like to camp in Death Valley end of June. We already did it in September, so we know how it can be hot, to have plenty of water, etc. Our question is : are the higher campgrounds cooler at night ? We saw Wildrose and Emigrants campgrounds at higher elevations, is there someone who tried them in summer ? Thank you !

Just want to share what's going on in Death Valley at the moment - after a whole 6 inches of rain this winter (3x more than usual) there are crazy amounts of wildflowers and they are expected to bloom through July! Check out this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7182113/

Would like suggestions for travel(July 2008)by car from Las Vegas to Death Valley to Los Angeles. Hotel recommendation appreciated.

My wife and I will be in Death Valley at the end of March. We will be in the park about mid afternoon (coming from LV), staying at Furnace Creek Ranch for an evening, then spending the entire next day in the park. We will have a regular car, no jeep or 4x4. Questions: Good place to see the sunset? Good place to see the sunrise? Some of the can't miss sights? We're in decent shape, can walk a couple miles if we need to, but we'd like to see the maximum we can in our time there. Thanks for any input.

I have a few quick questions. I am working on a film project and want to do some time lapses on my HD Camera in Death Valley and have 4-5 days there to get some footage and enjoy the beautiful landscape. I doubt I'll be able to get back to DV in the near future since my project calls for other places and locations in the future, so it's imperative that I maximize my trip and get all the goodie sights before leaving. Can anyone give me a 'must-see' list from best to not as great. The 5-10 must see places? Zabirskie Point, Badwater (is it dry during this time of year), Dante's Devil's Golf Course...are what i have heard thus far. Basically, I am looking for great surreal images to be intercut with a surrealist film, so I want to maximize my experience and images there. Quick question -- those beautiful looking sand dunes -- are there a number of different spots/dunes or is there one or two amazing, photogenic spots to see...that particular landscape is very appealing to me, and I still haven't heard THE place to go to yet - dune-wise. Also, what about places to stay in the 100, around 100ish or less than 100...it's somewhat important if the lodging has food nearby and/or at the hotel, and most importantly, that the lodging is closest to the majority of scenic places which we are ultimately there to get -- so being close to those places proximity-wise is key. Furnace creek, Stovepipe...? basically, any and all information to ensure a great experience visually, come home with amazing footage, and a big smile on my face to pacify my return to madness here in Los Angeles would be soooo great ;) -- I am most appreciative in advance for any and all help. cheers and be well, JC