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On a visit to the hottest desert in California, I stayed in a cottage at The Ranch at Death Valley. It’s located right in the national park and I had fun staying here.
So, you can imagine how nice it was to rest after a long, hot day! Who wouldn’t want to relax at a beautiful, lush oasis in the midst of the desert?
I’ll share what to know when staying, what to expect and see, and tips.
Getting to the Ranch at Death Valley
Traveling from Los Angeles, it takes about 4 hours. Taking the CA-14 North to the US-395 North, you can go the I-190 to Death Valley Junction.
The ranch is located on the west side of the national park. It’s in Furnace Creek, which is the hottest place on Earth!
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, this oasis in the desert was welcoming. The delightful western ranch theme made me smile.
For lodging, they have a hotel, inn, campground, and cottages.
Checking In
You’ll want to park outside the Town Hall building. I saw some perfectly detailed vintage cars on my visit!
After entering the building, there were only a couple people waiting in line. Within minutes, the line grew with tired travelers.
A couple ahead 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 checking in, the lady explained where to park and get to the lodging.
The Cozy Cottage
The parking lot was a little bit of a walk from the cottage. So, it was good to have rolling luggage, as I stayed farthest away.
Beautiful big flower bushes lined the pathways. They were so pretty, I wanted to pick one.
When I made it to the cottage, there was a porch. Entering inside, I found it cute and cozy.
The dark wood and decor gave it that Western feel. It felt like a tiny home, with everything needed for a long stay.
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, I decided to walk around. Near the cottages, there was a post office, an ice cream parlor, and quaint stores.
If you make your 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.
The General Store has 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.
The Last Kind Words Saloon
I relaxed in the cottage before dinner. The oasis has a couple of places to eat.
But they were all packed in the evening. Luckily, I got on the waiting list at The Last Kind Words Saloon and got called within a few minutes.
I loved the old Western decor, which made dining here fun. I ordered the tasty salmon dish and can still savor it now. Ummm…
After dinner, I walked around more and viewed the bright stars against a clear, dark sky. The desert was very quiet and peaceful.
When I 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, I ate breakfast at the Ranch 1849 Restaurant. For one price, they had a wide variety of food at a buffet.
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, I checked out of the cottage and explored the desert more.
Travel Notes
Book ahead of time if you need lodging in or around Death Valley. When I stayed, the park was busy with visitors.
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.
I 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!
Overall
I enjoyed my stay at The Ranch at Death Valley. After exploring the national park, it was a relaxing time.
And I’d certainly love to stay in a cottage again and enjoy more of the amenities. So, it’s worth it for a restful stay in the desert.
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