Advice if poss -Las Vegas, San Francisco, Pacific Highway, LA and San Diego

[Mark Sedenquist]

There's always going to be a scarcity of lodging options and plenty of people willing to pay 2-3 times the going rate for similar lodging elsewhere as long as it's in the park. Even Stovepipe Wells charges well over $125 per night -- and such lodging would be about $35.00 per night if not in the park!

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

The closest lodgings located just outside of DV is the Panamint Springs resort. I have not stayed there but they do offer lodgings from $79 at present. Not a bad spot to stop for the night between the Sequoia area and Vegas either. It would seem to get a mixed bag of reviews.

Again, I have no first hand experience [RV traveller] but in Kernville there is Kern lodge that gets good reviews and seems reasonably priced. About 15 mins north of town is McNallys Fairview lodge that you would pass on the way down the Kern river Highway. It's described by many as 'rustic' and is famous for it's steaks ! For other options you could also search in Wofford Heights and Lake Isabella.

[Lifemagician]

When I have been to DV I have stayed in Beatty. Last time I was there the lodgings varied from $30 to almost $100. I chose the $30. It was clean and comfortable, despite being old. The airconditioning worked, even though the front cover was missing. And everything else worked, fridge, TV, etc. They were two comfortable nights, back in 2007.

It is not all that long a drive into DV, and Rhyolite is on the way. Worth a stop. And if you want to see the stars at night, the drive home is quite comfortable and safe, even in the dark. I have to admit, I had a full moon. Not good for stargazing, but wonderful for the drive home. Over two days I covered a lot - if not all - of the park.

Would love to do it again.... some day.

Lifey

[dramaqueen]

Hi there, we've looked at lots of different possibilities for our drive from Oakhurst to Las Vegas (2 nights accommondation before Las Vegas needed).
we've narrowed it down to 1st night BAKERSFIELD as there's lots of hotels with pools etc for the kids and will be a shortish drive.
I'm now looking at the second night and KEELER seems to be in a good position. Any recommendations for accomodation in /around keeler or colse to?
cheers

[dramaqueen]

I'm now looking at the second night and KEELER seems to be in a good position. Any recommendations for accomodation in /around keeler or colse to?

just read one of the forum threads and note that Keeler is not a town!! I'm now looking at Panamint springs (as recommended by Southwest DAve) however reviews are NOT great! May start looking further afield.
Beatty )as mentioned by LifeMagician) is a little far out.

[Southwest Dave]

Well if you were looking in the Keeler area anyway, I would look at the extra 30 mins north from 190 turn off and check out Lone Pine.

I'm now looking at Panamint springs (as recommended by Southwest DAve) however reviews are NOT great!

TBF it was a suggestion not a recommendation ;-) I mentioned that it got mixed reviews and that I hadn't stayed there, but the location was good. They are cabins in a desert and being remote and scarce lodgings in the area means they come at a premium. Sometimes peoples expectations are a little high for such places and sometimes the places just don't cut it, I'm afraid I can't say which is which here.

Did you expand your search around the Kernville area ? Searching Lake Isabella might bring up a few more options.

[glc]

The most budget-friendly lodging options on the west side of Death Valley are in Ridgecrest and Bishop.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I'm now looking at Panamint springs (as recommended by Southwest DAve) however reviews are NOT great!

Both Panamint Springs and Stovepipe Wells provide accommodation within the greater Death Valley area. Stovepipe Wells is actually in the park, I've stayed there -- I'd stay there again. But you're not paying for deluxe lodging -- your paying for the location. If you rely on reviews, you're going to miss out on the adventure. If you want four star lodging -- the Furnace Creek Inn offers that -- but you're going to pay a premium -- $300+ per night.

You can find less expensive lodging outside of the park -- but is that really what is important to you?

Mark

[dramaqueen]

Hi guys, thanks for all the suggestions - really did not expect as many people to answer what with Christmas Holidays etc!

TBF it was a suggestion not a recommendation ;-) I mentioned that it got mixed reviews and that I hadn't stayed there, but the location was good

apologies to SouthWest Dave - 'fraid i probably did a little too much searching last night - suggestion, not recommendation - one word, big difference:)). As you say, it really should be about location. I need to be "not as fussy"!


I did look at Lone Pine/Lake Isabella/Stovepipe Wells but ended up checking out the Death Valley National Park website. It's soooo interesting, I must stcik to what i'm supposed to be searching, it's so easy to lose track.

i'll get back to organising our New Year party today - must get organised!

Happy New Year and a Prosperous year to all! Best wishes for 2012 x

[Southwest Dave]

The most budget-friendly lodging options on the west side of Death Valley are in Ridgecrest and Bishop.

The problem I see here is that Ridgecrest is really too close to the Lake Isabella and Bakersfield area [the night before stop] and Bishop could add up to a 3 hour detour by the time you have past the 190 turn off and returned to Lone Pine or 2.5 hours extra over stopping at Lone Pine.

Hmm, Trying to get the 'Best of both worlds' isn't always easy. As with everywhere, I tend to agree with Mark in the fact that there is nothing quite like being 'there' but it's what you are comfortable with.

Of course there is always the possibility of staying to the east of the park. Pahrump has a Best Western [Pahrump station] with a pool and although I haven't stayed there, it does get good reviews and I have not been disappointed with any Best Western Hotels yet as value for money and cleanliness. Pahrump is on the natural path to Vegas and you would have time to explore parts of the park on the way and fill that day. If you are in no hurry you could explore some more of the park in the morning before continuing but would have to back track.