Stovepipe Wells Location
Stovepipe Wells is near the northern part of Death Valley, next to the Mesquite Sand Dunes and close to Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Rhyolite ghost town and The Racetrack. It's just west of the intersection of CA Hwy 190 (which goes south toward Furnace Creek or west toward Panamint Springs) and Hwy 374 which goes east toward Beatty, Nevada.
In early 2011, Ortega Family Enterprises took over as concessioners at Stovepipe Wells. They're a well-respected group who also operate the Muir Woods Trading Company and Bandelier National Monument and we expect many positive changes which will only make Stovepipe Wells better.
What's at Stovepipe Wells
- Motel-style rooms
- Tent camping and RV park
- National Park Service campground next door
- Store
- Gift shop
- Gasoline filling station open 24 hours if you use a credit card
- Restaurant and saloon
- Swimming pool
- Airport about a half mile away, private planes only
Pros at Stovepipe Wells
- Rooms are clean, the place is quiet - and rates for their patio and standard rooms are lower than at Furnace Creek Ranch
- Stovepipe Wells is pet-friendly, although you'll still have to follow the National Park rules
- Night sky viewing area, gentle lighting to keep it unspoiled. The office can tell you when you can see the International Space Station and loan you a pair of binoculars
Cons at Stovepipe Wells
- Stovepipe Wells is a 40-minute drive from Furnace Creek, which is where you have to go for ranger programs and jeep rentals
- Internet access can be fussy at best - and the only place it works is in a common room, which can be busy and offers little privacy
- Only Deluxe rooms have televisions
- None of their rooms have telephones, an inconvenience made worse by poor cellphone service in the area
