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On a visit to the hottest desert in California, we stayed in a cottage at The Ranch at Death Valley. It’s located right in the national park and we had fun staying here.
So, you can imagine how nice it was to rest after a long, hot day. We found a beautiful, lush oasis in the midst of the desert.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some photos from our fun stay. You might end up staying there too!
Getting There
In the springtime, we were having overcast, dreary weather. So we planned a road trip to hot and sunny Death Valley.
It took us 4 hours coming from Los Angeles. We took the CA-14 North to the US-395 North. We took the I-190 to Death Valley Junction.
The ranch is located on the west side of the national park. It’s in Furnance Creek, which is the hottest place on Earth!
Traveling through the Mojave Desert, we reached the national park in the early afternoon. Then we drove through, stopping to explore on our way to the ranch.
We took the I-190 to Death Valley Junction. The ranch is located on the west side of the national park.
Staying at The Ranch at Death Valley
The front desk at The Ranch is open all day, every day. You’ll check in at the Town Hall.
After driving around all day in the heat, we found this oasis in the desert welcoming. The delightful western ranch theme made me smile.
For lodging, they have a hotel, inn, campground, and cottages. We only stayed in a cottage, but I’m curious about the van camping at their campground.
Checking In
When we arrived, we parked outside the Town Hall building. Then some perfectly detailed vintage cars pulled up next to us.
After checking them out, we entered the building. When we first came in, there were only a couple people waiting in line.
Within minutes, the line grew with tired travelers like us. The couple ahead of us had a difficult time checking in because they didn’t have their IDs.
So, I recommend always carrying your ID when traveling! This is a must.
After we finally got checked in, the lady gave us a map. She showed us where to park and find our lodging.
The Cozy Cottage
We parked in the cottage parking lot and walked to our little place. It was a little bit of a walk, as our cottage was the farthest away.
Beautiful big flower bushes lined the pathways. They were so pretty, I wanted to pick one.
When we made it to the cottage, we stepped onto the porch. As we entered, we found it cute and cozy.
The dark wood and decor gave it that Western feel. It had everything we needed to stay in this tiny home for a long time.
There was a living room, bathroom, spacious bedroom, refrigerator, and a huge closet. It was nice to sit outside on the porch to unwind after a long day.
Dining and Shopping
After relaxing, we decided to walk around. Near the cottages, we found a post office, an ice cream parlor, and quaint stores.
As we made our way around the Town Hall, that’s where the hub of everything is located.
Staying at the oasis was a refreshing contrast to the desert backdrop. The palm trees and water fountains give it that feel.
In the General Store, we found souvenirs and snacks. They actually have a lot of food, so if you’re camping and low on groceries, this is a good option.
I was so tempted to buy a national parks traveler’s guide, but I didn’t. But I knew it’d just collect dust because my method is to stop at the visitor centers and collect maps and guides.
Around this area, there are restaurants. And there was a little museum and a golf course a short walk away. We didn’t check out the museum, and next time I will.
The Last Kind Words Saloon
We had gone back to the cottage to relax again before dinner. The oasis has a couple of places to eat.
But they were all packed when we decided to eat in the evening. So, we got on a waiting list at The Last Kind Words Saloon.
They called us within a few minutes, even though they gave us a longer wait time. When we walked in, it was filled to the brim.
We enjoyed the saloon’s old Western decor, which made dining here fun. I ordered the tasty salmon dish and can still savor it now. Ummm…
After dinner, we walked around more and viewed the bright stars against a clear, dark sky. The desert was very quiet and peaceful.
When we returned to the cottage, I could hear the guy next door snoring through the walls! But after exploring the desert and dealing with bad allergies all day, I knocked out.
The Ranch 1849 Restaurant
In the morning, we ate breakfast at the Ranch 1849 Restaurant. For one price, they had a wide variety of food at a buffet.
We got our food and sat down. The food was pretty tasty, especially the orange juice. I had to go back for another glass.
Speaking of juice, a man entered the restaurant from the side exit door. He did not go through the front door, and he did not pay.
He had a bag full of plastic sports bottles. With his cap pulled down low, he filled up at the soda and juice machines and just left.
Maybe he didn’t see the general store where you can buy snacks and juice. Hmmm…
Maybe he had eaten there and felt like he could return for more. Well, when you travel, you see people do some interesting things.
After that, we checked out of our cottages and drove around the desert more.
Travel Notes
When we stayed, the national park was bustling with people. Book ahead of time if you need lodging in or around Death Valley.
You’ll want to make sure you have a spot somewhere, or you’ll be driving around looking for one.
While waiting in line to check in, many people walked in. Some people did not have reservations and got turned away.
Death Valley has limited lodging inside the park, so keep that in mind. Many hotels are outside the area, and you might have to drive a bit to get to them.
We visited during the popular spring season. People like to visit Death Valley at this time of year because of the wildflowers in bloom.
Although summertime has fewer visitors, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s way too hot!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed my stay at The Ranch at Death Valley. After exploring the national park, we had a relaxing time.
And I’d certainly love to stay in a cottage again or do van camping. Wherever you stay, I hope you enjoy your visit to Death Valley.
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- You’ll want to see the places we explored in Death Valley National Park.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is another hot place to visit, and we like to stay at a Western-themed resort.
- Do you like exploring mysterious places in the desert? We went hiking to the Yaquitepec on Ghost Mountain.
- Slab City is a desert community like no other, where we saw upcycled art exhibits.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: November 30, 2024
