Death Valley National Park Travel Forum

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

The Devil's Racetrack is my fave!

If you could make a time lapse film that solved that mystery, you would be famous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racetrack_Playa

http://www.pbase.com/zeroscan/image/28595596

The most central place to stay is Furnace Creek (Inn or Ranch) but it is much more than $100 per night. Stovepipe Wells also has a motel but you would have to call them to find the price since they don't have a website. The dunes are near Stovepipe Wells but you will have to hike to them from the road. Actually most places would be good for what you have in mind since the landscape is so stark.
You didn't say when you are going so if it is in the summer you could head up to the mountains and film the charcoal kilns or the scenery that is snowed in during the winter.
Go to www.nps.gov for more information.

thanks guys for the help....all great info.

anyone else wanna throw some more info in the pot for me? ;)

I am travelling during the last week of January if that helps anybody in terms of how climate meets recommendations/places to see during taht time of year versus other climates/times of year.

cheers!
jc

BTW: you might need a 4 wheel drive to get to the Devils's Racetrack. We did it in a Toyota Camry, but we scraped bottom several times.

On the way, don't miss tea kettle junction

http://home.infostations.net/bodiethedog/bodiethedog/tea.htm

Death Valley is an excellent spot for photography.

Zabriskie is great (late afternoon)

The sand dunes across from Stovepipe Wells are easy to get to. Avoid the afternoons when everyone else is there. Go first thing in the morning for the best light and solitude.

Artist's Palette - very cool.

If you go to the Harmony Borax Works it's fun to walk out onto the actual salt flats. You can also do this from the Devil's Golf Course. Walk as far out as you can and it will start to feel quite otherworldly. Plus, the salt makes some really neat mini sculptures if you do macro work.

Keane Wonder Mill and Mine are good for photographs as well - old rusty machinery, deserted.

A cool spot is also the actual Historic Stovepipe Wells. Its just North of the intersection of 190 and Scotty's Castle Road. (it is marked on the park map that you will get from the ranger station) It's sort of a back way into the sand dunes across from Stovepipe Well village.

Research the Euraka dunes - they may definitely be worth checking out. Haven't been there yet.

Racetrack is supposed to be amazing. I'm going there this weekend - it will be my first time there.

Lodging - I always prefer Stovepipe Wells. It's quiet, they have a great restaurant and it's right near the dunes. You can book it through xantarra but it could be full for when you want to go. The campground across the street at Stovepipe is pretty nice too.

Other good spots - Salt Creek Interpretive trail and the Devil's Cornfield (early morning or late afternoon for best light).

Good luck with your trip!