I didn't see it listed but a handheld CB radio is good to have in case you are out off cell phone range. Unless you have one mounted in your rig.
Another thing I hadn't really considered. I don't know much about handheld CB's (I have a permanent mounted one in my work truck but that's all the experience I have with them). Any suggestions on a reliable but good priced unit?
If you head out with a full tank, you won't have any problems. Distances aren't that great, and if you stick to mainly off road driving, most of those roads are not made for speed (you won't be driving huge distances). The only time I've encountered the need for spare gas was when some guy punctured his gas tank driving a stock 4x4.
Ok that's good to know. I just wasn't sure how many places they had gas stations in the park or just outside it but I prefer to not have to fashion something to mount the pax to if I plan to get a GOBI down the road anyways.
This is the upper part of Texas Springs Campground (barren & mostly for trailers/RVs) on a typical windy Death Valley day. I always hike around the hills surrounding the camp & have yet to not come across a tent that has been blown a 1/2 mile or more away from camp (with gear still inside it). Just to give you an idea of what you could be facing...or not.
Wow after seeing this picture I did some google image searching of the various campgrounds and there is literally NOTHING between campsites! Maybe we will see if the weather allows camping up the mountain where there is some tree's and stuff.
I also noticed most roads allow camping after 2 miles. Has anyone done any backcountry camping and could recommend nice spots?
Camping at the Saline Valley Hot Springs is a good option. When I was there last year in May we were the only campers there. Bring a bottle of bleach and TP as an offering to the spring gods...
Never heard of this place and appreciate the suggestion. From the research I did though it sounds like it is an all-day adventure to get out there and enjoy it. Maybe not in the cards this trip since we will only be there two days but I will definitely keep it in mind for future trips!
I agree with you, there's enough support within DV to keep you from running out completely, though I did bring an empty jerry can just in case I thought we'd deviate from any plans or move locations for any reason. Like I tell my wife when she asks if she should bring ___, it's better to have and not need than need and not have. An empty jerry can wont do you any good if you need it, but at least having one to possibly fill up can't hurt if plans change.
Probably a good idea. It's just the wife and I on this adventure so we will have plenty of room. I guess I could throw an empty $10 can in the truck in case I find that I plan to drive longer than expected
I am a stickler for guy-lines regardless of what the weather forecast is. I put almost every one on every single time.
The tent we bought is the REI Kingdom 6 and it was extremely highly rated but that was the one thing that people warned of; tie it down! They said it is prone to catch the wind so to use all available guy-lines and to even buy more to make sure it is super secure. I haven't bought spare lines yet but I will definitely do so before heading out.
I visit every January and have spent a lot of time there. The above suggestions are great. Most of the roads I've been on there are well graded dirt roads -- often times with washboarding. If you want to see a bit more of what to expect there, here's a preview video for the video journals I film on my photography trips. You'll see a bit of the sort of weather that can happen there, as well as the sort of roads you'll be driving on. I ended up replacing my windshield after my last visit. A dust storm pitted it quite badly.
Also, don't underestimate the distances you'll be driving within the park, and keep a close eye on how much gas you have. I carry 8 gallons on the roof of my 4runner just in case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiT5RhKjjaA
Appreciate the video and experience!
First and foremost it can get hot and freezing cold in the winter! Like other have mentioned bring at least 1 gallon per person/per day.
If you have room pack a walking sticks and put them in the tent. We woke up to a sidewinder outside the tent coiled up under the rain fly. I had to nudge him of his way with the stick. They are much smaller than I ever thought they would be.
If it does rain it can quickly turn into a flash flood with rock and mud slides. I have been there and had to spend the night trapped because the roads were impassible from boulders and rock that washed out the road and blocked it. Get to high ground if you see a storm coming. Also the opposite I have been in a sand storm and couldn't see 10 feet in front of the car. Clean out the air filter. The mountain passes can also close from heavy snow fall until it is cleared.
A thicker tire & spare is required by the park to travel roads to the "racetrack". There are very few people out that way and getting help could be delayed for a day or two.
This is one of my favorite parks in the lower 48 with Canyonlands being my all time favorite. You can drive for a couple of hours in either direction and not see many people.
Scottie's castle is cool but I don't really think worth the money.
Fill up the gas tank before you go into the park. It is nearly double the price inside the park. There are two main towns inside and have most things you will need if you forget something.
Cell service can be bad in a lot of areas.
Lots of great info here! I had heard to be wary walking the dunes at night due to sidewinders but hadn't considered them at camp. I will definitely throw our walking sticks into the gear bundle as I don't normally carry them.
I had also seen that many roads can be closed if it rains so if we decide to backcountry camp I will definitely keep an eye on the forecast and the clouds. Would hate to get stranded. Last camping trip it rained so bad in AZ that we couldn't drive our car out of the campsite back to the road. I had to drive all the way back home and pick up a car hauler trailer and use my 3/4 ton pickup to tow the car out of the campsite!
I am actually glad to hear that about the Racetrack. Doubt we will have issues getting there but the fewer people the better for me. So if it's a rough drive maybe there won't be many people out there. Also didn't consider price gouging on gas and such so I will make sure to gas up before entering park.
Thanks for all the great info!
