Stovepipe Wells is one of three lodging locations in California’s Death Valley. It is near the middle of the park. You’ll find motel-style accommodations, campgrounds, a restaurant and bar, gas station, and convenience store there.
Stovepipe Wells is close to the Mesquite Sand Dunes, Scotty’s Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Rhyolite Ghost Town and the Hippodrome.
Don’t let outdated information confuse you, especially negative reviews posted before 2011. Earlier that year, Ortega Family Enterprises took over the dealerships at Stovepipe Wells. They are a highly respected group that also operates the Muir Woods Trading Company and the Bandelier National Monument. Since then they have made positive changes, but progress is slow for any national park concessionaire and this one is no exception.
What’s in Stovepipe Wells?
Stovepipe Wells is like a small resort, even though you don’t allow yourself to call yourself by that name. They have motel-style rooms, tents, and an RV park. There is also a National Park Service camp next door.
The resort also has a small convenience store and a gift shop. The gas station is open 24 hours, but you need a credit card when the store is closed. They have a restaurant and lounge. They both serve food. The pool is also a nice relief in hot weather.
There is an airport half a mile away from Stovepipe Wells, for private jets only.
Professionals at Stovepipe Wells
The rooms at Stovepipe Wells are clean and the place is quiet, the rates for their patio and standard rooms are lower than comparable accommodations at The Ranch at Death Valley.
Stovepipe Wells is pet friendly, although you will still have to follow the National Park rules for where you can take your animals.
Stovepipe Wells is also an official night sky viewing area, softly lit to keep the starry splendor intact. The office can tell you when you can see the International Space Station fly, and even lend you a pair of binoculars for a closer look.
The bottom line for me is that this location offers better value for my money than Furnace Creek and is cleaner and more pleasant than Panamint Springs. I also like the food at your restaurant better than I can get at The Oasis at Death Valley.
Contras and Stovepipe Wells
Stovepipe Wells is a 40 minute drive to Furnace Creek, which is where you should go for ranger programs and jeep rentals. It is not a convenience, but an easy record that I always enjoy.
Internet access in Stovepipe Wells can be demanding at best and infuriating at worst. The only place it works is in a common room, which can be busy and offers little privacy.
Only Deluxe Rooms have TVs, but you didn’t go to Death Valley to watch your shows, did you?
None of their rooms have a telephone, a drawback made worse by poor cell phone service in the area. You can get reliable cellular signals at Furnace Creek if you need to make a call.
Stovepipe Wells Location
Stovepipe Wells in the middle of Death Valley National Park and especially convenient for the attractions in the northern part of the park. It is just west of the intersection of CA Hwy 190 (which goes south towards Furnace Creek or west towards Panamint Springs) and CA Hwy 374 which goes east towards Beatty, Nevada.
Stovepipe Wells website
