Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Bitter Springs
Bitter Springs is a 28 miles back country road which connects I-15 to the North shore Road highway 167 located inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Echo Bay. The trail takes you by old mining roads and washes throughout the Muddy Mountains.
To reach the trail head, head North on the I-15 from Las Vegas. Exit the Valley of Fire offramp (exit 75), and turn right towards the state park, Valley of Fire. There is a lot of excellent camping in Valley of Fire.
Unless you have a need for fireworks or booze, proceed past the Moapa Indian Reservation store. After three miles the paved road bends left. The trail is the dirt road heading straight into the dessert towards the mountains.
Once you hit the Muddy Mountains, you will be greeted with large red rock out cropping. Keep on eye out on the right side of the tail for a small damn and water hole. Should you visit at the correct time, you will see tadpoles and frogs in the water.
As you proceed into and through the muddy mountains, there are numerous places to stop and picnic or camp. There is a small quarry that sits on the trail, so be sure to travel carefully if there are workers.
Once you are through the pass, the trail gradually follows the alluvial fan into a drainage. Once in the drainage section, the trails turns into pure sand. Be sure to check the weather when travelling this portion of the trail and keep an eye open for Big Horn sheep and wild horses.
Bitter Springs Trail Map
Wildrose Campground
Wildrose Campground is located at 4100 feet above sea level in the Paramint Mountains within Death Valley National Park. This semi-primative campground is located off of the migrant Canyon Road. This free campground is open all year and sites are available on a first come first server bases. The location of the campground allows access to wide open spaces, many points of interest in the Panamint Range and beautiful scenery
Featuring 23 sites, with tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets and campground offers great opportunities for vistas and quiet nights for those wanting to venture and camp away from the larger crowds.
Drinking water is available during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The higher elevation of this campground allows for this campground to remain open in the hotter summer months of this notorious hot area.
Fires are permitted in NPS provided pits only. Charcoal grills are prohibited. Gas burning stoves are permitted. Fires are typically prohibited between June 15 and September 15 or during periods of high fire danger.
Campground Summary
| Name | Wildrose |
| Location | Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.265848, -117.188184 |
| Sites | 23 |
| Elevation | 4100 feet |
| Amenities | Vault Toilets, Water, Firepits, Tables |
Wildrose Campground Map
References
Mahogany Flat Campground
Mahogany Flat Campground lies at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Parl. The campground provides access to hiking and backpacking, as well as mountaineering opportunities.
The campground is located near to Thorndike Campground along Emigrant Canyon Road. The privative camp sites are nestled among a Pinyon Pine and Juniper forest along the ridgeline of the Panamint Range.
The trail leading to Telescope Peak and down Tuber Canyon begins at this campground. This campground offers some of the best views in Death Valley, and lots of opportunity to hike, explore and enjoy the nature within the park.
The site is open from March to November and makes a good place to escape the summer heat of the valley below it. There are ten individual camping sites, each with a table and fireplace. Pit toilets are maintained on site.
Fires are allowed at NPS fire pits only. No firewood collecting is permitted; bring your own wood. Fires are prohibited June 15-September 15 and periods of high fire danger.
Campground Summary
| Name | Mahogany Flat Campground |
| Location | Panamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.22996, -117.068193 |
| Sites | 10 |
| Elevation | 8200 feet |
| Amenities | Tables, Fire Pits, Vault Toilets, NO Water |
Mahogany Flat Campground Map
References
Emigrant Campground
Emigrant Campground is a tent only campground located next to CA Route 190 near the boundary of Death Valley National Park, California. The campgrounds is located at about 2150 foot elevation and overlooks the cottonwood mountains, which are part of the Panamint Range.
Typical campground amenities with more services to the north-east at Stovepipe Wells Village. The elevation of the park at over 2000 feet offers some views and hints at the dynamic landscape below.
This small, little campground is not much more beyond a clearing by the side of CA 190 with 10 campsites outlined in rocks. The campground is literally just off of the highway, and those with children of pets should be on watch.
The campsites are primarily dirt with pavement at picnic area. Due to its proximity with the park boundary, this campground could serve as a staging campsite at the park boundary and allow access to further deeper exploration within the National Park.
Gas burning stoves are permitted. Fires and charcoal grills are prohibited.
Campground Summary
| Name | Emigrant Campground |
| Location | Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.496552556, -117.227519732 |
| Elevation | 2150 |
| Sites | 10 |
| Amenities | potable water, flushing toilets |
Emigrant Campground Map
References
Texas Springs Campground
Texas Springs Campground is another large campground, primarilyy for RV and trailer camping within Death Valley National Park. The campground a mile of the Furnace Creek Ranch Resort and the Furnace Creek hotel. The campground is located in the hills above Furnace Creek and offers great views, sunsets and star gazing opportunities.
The campground is quite popular and despite its size, it can fill up. There is little under growth, and the camp sites proximity to each other can leave one to feel exposed.
Close to a lot of amenities in Furnace Creek, such as a store, borax museum & gas station, this campground offers a central location to scout out and explore Death Valley. This campground is located about 87 feet below sea level which and one of the lowest campgrounds in the world.
This campground is seasonal and only open from October to April each year. The high desert heat which can measure over 125F, would make this an unbearable location to camp in the summer months. The campground is maintained and operated by the National Park Service.
Campground Summary
| Name | Texas Springs Campground |
| Location | Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.459830, -116.856782 |
| Elevation | -87 feet below sea level |
| Number of Sites | 92 Total 26 Tent Only |
| Amenities | Water, flush toilets, picnic tables, a dump station and fire pits. |