1000Pks wrote:

tonyo wrote:Does anyone have an idea of the chances of getting a campsite at either Mahogany Flat or Emigrant campground in Death Valley late Friday night on Labor Day weekend? Hate to drive all that way and get shut out... Any other options for camping in the area that don't include the valley floor or backpacking in? Appreciate any help!

In the other NPs they do double duty to look for errant campers. We tried sleeping in the car once, and a ranger came by at midnight or 1 a.m. to rouse me out. He was nice, just saying, "You can't camp here." Luckily, we found a spot outside the park and just tossed out our bags. On BLM land, primitive camping anywhere in the desert is allowed. If there are no spots at a legal site, just be prepared to drive to plan b. Have little idea about DV on Labor Day, but I'd say you may have little problem. Of course there can be a large enviro group of 40 people hogging up every spot, go check their websites for scheduled trips as a heads up.

mrchad9 wrote:
Where is backcountry camping allowed?
More than two miles away from any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area.
Camp only in previously disturbed areas and park your vehicle close to the roadway to minimize impact.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm

1000Pks wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:

1000Pks wrote:

tonyo wrote:Does anyone have an idea of the chances of getting a campsite at either Mahogany Flat or Emigrant campground in Death Valley late Friday night on Labor Day weekend? Hate to drive all that way and get shut out... Any other options for camping in the area that don't include the valley floor or backpacking in? Appreciate any help!

In the other NPs they do double duty to look for errant campers. We tried sleeping in the car once, and a ranger came by at midnight or 1 a.m. to rouse me out. He was nice, just saying, "You can't camp here." Luckily, we found a spot outside the park and just tossed out our bags. On BLM land, primitive camping anywhere in the desert is allowed. If there are no spots at a legal site, just be prepared to drive to plan b. Have little idea about DV on Labor Day, but I'd say you may have little problem. Of course there can be a large enviro group of 40 people hogging up every spot, go check their websites for scheduled trips as a heads up.

I thought in Death Valley you can dispersed camp pretty much anywhere, except for the main valley floor?

EDIT:
Seems you can camp nearly anywhere- if not on a paved road.

Where is backcountry camping allowed?
More than two miles away from any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area.
Camp only in previously disturbed areas and park your vehicle close to the roadway to minimize impact.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm

In another park, the ranger explained to me that other people are paying and it's not then fair to them. They say to camp in designated sites only, mostly, and I for one wouldn't like to see thousands of campers going behind trees and to the bushes, and digging cat holes everywhere.

If there are no regular campsites, then I guess it's cool.

1000Pks wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:

1000Pks wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:

1000Pks wrote:

tonyo wrote:Does anyone have an idea of the chances of getting a campsite at either Mahogany Flat or Emigrant campground in Death Valley late Friday night on Labor Day weekend? Hate to drive all that way and get shut out... Any other options for camping in the area that don't include the valley floor or backpacking in? Appreciate any help!

In the other NPs they do double duty to look for errant campers. We tried sleeping in the car once, and a ranger came by at midnight or 1 a.m. to rouse me out. He was nice, just saying, "You can't camp here." Luckily, we found a spot outside the park and just tossed out our bags. On BLM land, primitive camping anywhere in the desert is allowed. If there are no spots at a legal site, just be prepared to drive to plan b. Have little idea about DV on Labor Day, but I'd say you may have little problem. Of course there can be a large enviro group of 40 people hogging up every spot, go check their websites for scheduled trips as a heads up.

I thought in Death Valley you can dispersed camp pretty much anywhere, except for the main valley floor?

EDIT:
Seems you can camp nearly anywhere- if not on a paved road.

Where is backcountry camping allowed?
More than two miles away from any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area.
Camp only in previously disturbed areas and park your vehicle close to the roadway to minimize impact.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm

In another park, the ranger explained to me that other people are paying and it's not then fair to them. They say to camp in designated sites only, mostly, and I for one wouldn't like to see thousands of campers going behind trees and to the bushes, and digging cat holes everywhere.

If there are no regular campsites, then I guess it's cool.

I ALWAYS dispearsed camp these days. No matter to me if there are campground spots or not. I'm not a big fan of camping amongst RVs and other groups of people. Plus many campgrounds these days are $18-$21. Not worth it when you can settle into a place of your own and enjoy the quiet around you.

If the rangers think it isn't fair, well, so what?

Dummy.

They can cite you.

I'd get a map and look for desolate side roads out of the park. I once kept notes on where I could do this, but now I lodge and help out the local economy. I'd get a room in Ridgecrest, it's cheap there, if a bit noisy at night due to rowdies on the streets.

mrchad9 wrote:'Tard

Dispearsed camping is ALLOWED.

Read the posts you quoted.

Day Hiker wrote:http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.26560&lon=-117.19036&site=vef&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

Should be pretty decent at night above 4000 feet (Wildrose, etc.), unless you're planning to sleep in a down bag.

tonyo wrote:Thanks for all the advice! I think we'll head up to Mahogany and take our chances; if it's full we'll look for dispersed camping. Can you park at the Telescope Peak trail head (not the charcoal kilns) if you don't camp at Mahogany?