Furnace Creek at Death Valley question
 

We are thinking of staying at Furnace Creek Ranch on Nov. 27-29th, but have heard negative things about the hotel. It seems expensive ($152 per night for a deluxe and $120 for the cabin). Do you know of any alternatives to Furnace Creek around the Death valley? Has anyone stayed at the cabins? How are they in comparison to their deluxe rooms (i.e. are the deluxe rooms worth $30 extra per day)?

Thanks in advance!!!

?'ve stayed in the cabins and the "deluxe" room at the Furnace Creek Ranch. The cabins are on the funky side, but clean. Each cabin has it's own sitting porch. Our heater wasn't working when we arrived, but they quickly fixed that. The deluxe rooms are fine. They are larger than the cabins and have more amenities. We had a wonderful view of the mountains from our balcony. I think the rooms probably are worth the extra $. If you don't mind roughing it a bit, go with the cabins. There are cabins at Stovepipe Wells in D.V. Haven't stayed there though. I think the lodging at Furnace Creek Ranch is very typical for a National Park.

Have a wonderful time. Death Valley is one of my favorite places.

Thank you, franny.

Hi Arina!

We have not stayed at Furnace Creek, but here is what I've found out: Furnace Creek is not really in Death Valley itself nor within the boundaries of the National Park. It is located at Death Valley Junction which is to the east of Death Valley and separated from Death Valley by a range of mountains.

The only place to stay IN Death Valley itself appears to be located at Stovepipe Wells, which is a pretty much god-forsaken place. My AAA book lists one unrated place in Stovepipe Wells, the Stovepipe Wells Village, which doesn't meet AAA standards.

Was there a particular reason for staying at Furnace Creek? Otherwise, I would suggest that you could find less expensive lodging elsewhere.

Depending on which side you are entering Death Valley - which, by the way, is awesome - you could stay in Lone Pine on the western edge or, better at Bishop or, even better, Mammoth Lakes. If you are coming in from the east, you could stay at Beatty, Nevada, which is a small town, but is the gateway to Death Valley on Highway 374 over the Funeral Mountains. Or you could even stay in Las Vegas. It is only about a three hour drive from LV to Death Valley.

I would suggest staying at one end, e.g. Las Vegas/Beatty and driving through Death Valley, including curving around to Death Valley Junction, then going though the heart of the Valley, passing Stovepipe Wells, and emerging out at the other end and staying in Lone Pine/Bishop.

The desert is the desert is the desert. You will get as much desert in Las Vegas but don't have to pay that kind of price for swimming pool, etc. Or did you want to play golf in the desert at Furnace Creek?

Bring lots of water. Last trip to Death Valley, my wife and I ran through a twelve-pack of water! But that was at the end of summer, when it was still very hot.

Hope this helps! Happy travels!

Hi Arina and Jason888:

I think I know what motel Jason888 is talking about , but can't think of the name of it. Don't worry, Furnace Creek is definitely in Death Valley. I don't have a map right in front of me, but it's in the heart of the valley, very close to Golden Canyon (my favorite hike), Dante's View (awesome at sunrise), Zabrinskie Point (awesome anytime), and Badwater (the lowest spot in U.S, I think). Stay in D.V. if you can. Either camping or at Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells. It's a huge place and you don't want to waste time driving in and out of the Park each day.

I'm not sure why Furnace Creek isn't listed in AAA book. It's the main place to stay in the National Park.

I've stayed at the official park lodging in Badwater (is that the same as Stovepipe Wells?) It was a regular motel room, nothing special. At the time of our visit, Furnace Creek looked like a nicer place to stay; it had more amenities because it was the main park lodge. That's where I plan to stay when I return to DV.

There is also the Furnace Creek Inn (as opposed to Furnace Creek Ranch), which is just down the road and up on a hill, and way more pricy.

And the Stovepipe Wells cabins already mentioned.

I've stayed at the Furnace Creek Ranch cabins. They are basic motel-style rooms.

And to correct a previous post, this is absolutely right in the heart of Death Valley and the most convenient area to stay.

I stayed at Furnace Creek Inn, not the ranch, and was sort of sorry I did. Yes the rooms are fancier and pricier, but nothing very grand at all, and the air conditioning could not keep up with the 100 degree plus heat, so our room remained hot all night. Dinner in the main dining room at the Inn was blah!! The next day we ate at one of the places down at the Ranch -- much better!!!

But I'm really confused. We were there for two days and drove all over Death Valley. If we weren't in the center of Death Valley, where in the hell were we, jason888?

I also stayed at The Furnace Creek Ranch in the motel section and very pleasant surroundings. The cabins are smaller, closer to the road and the commercial services. Furnace Creek Inn is across the road and much more expensive. Stove Pipe Wells Village is 28 miles northwest of Furnace Creek Ranch.

The Death Valley Visitor's Center is adjacent to the Ranch. According to the NPS folder, "no other lodging is available within the park". These three places are it!

It is such a unique area, and difficult to describe how special it is. I hope you have a wonderful time over the Thansgiving holiday.

Sorry! Sorry! My bad!

I remembered Furnace Creek as being in the Park too, but my map located it OUTSIDE the park, so that's what I went with.

I'll get a better map! Sorry for the misleading info! :(

(Going away with tail between my legs)
Jason

I 've experienced the problem with Furnace Creek : on Mapquest if you type in 'Furnace Creek, CA' it shows you a town north of the NP! You have to type 'Death Valley, CA' to get a location in the park !

Don't know why ...

I have also stayed at the Furance Creeek Inn, not the Ranch, and loved every minute of it. It is a peaceful, serene spot within Death Valley. Sitting by the pool with a cool drink gazing at the specacular scenery after a long day of hiking in the park was sublime. It has an atmosphere out of the 1940's that is very charming. It is pricey, however, compared to the Ranch cabins and rooms, but worth the splurge for the serenity. We visited the Ranch area and found it to be extremely crowded and busy.

Whatever your choice, Death Valley is truly unique, and is one of my favorite National Parks. Have a wonderful trip.

Thanks everyone for your advice! After reading the postings, I booked the deluxe room at the Furnace Creek Ranch. Looking forward to the trip.

I totally agree with Nickie. We stayed at Furnace Creek Inn and it was worth the "splurge" (end of March). It was very serene and peaceful. Enjoyed the dining room and looking up at the stars each night. The ranch seemed quite hectic and more family oriented. I did overhear remarks from guests staying at the Ranch that they wished they were at the Inn. In any case, there is plenty to see in Death Valley and well worth the trip.