Death Valley Visitors Guide - 11th Edition

Canyon is easy now that an official trail head, with picnic ramadas and a pit toilet, exists at the edge of the parking lot of the China Ranch Date Farm. Stop here to see a working farm in a desert oasis, stock up on local dates and a trail guide at the gift shop and head out to see if you can catch a glimpse of the elusive Wild and Scenic Amargosa River. In Shoshone Susan Sorrells, whose parents and grandparents stewarded this land before her, has created an ethereal refuge in the desert where both wildlife and humanity can find shelter, sustenance and thoughtful coexistence. In recent years Sorrells, in partnership with state and local conservation organizations, has created a small riparian habitat lake and cultivated a thriving population of Shoshone pupfish in the natural warm spring that is the lifeblood of the town. The pupfish are now the star attraction in a small natural area with a walking trail leading to a semi-shaded pond ideal for picnicking or an afternoon’s quiet contemplation. The recently remodeled Shoshone Inn offers 17 upscale rooms, as well as a vintage trailer called Dutch’s Retreat and a roomy cabin called the Black Rock. The Shoshone RV Park also offers tent camping and all guests in Shoshone have access to the town’s delightful warm springs swimming pool. The town of Shoshone keeps a naturalist on staff, maintains self- guided and well-marked bird watching trails and plans to offer off-road eco- tours in the 2018/2019 season. Meals can be had all day and evening at the Crowbar Café and saloon, offering traditional diner and Tex-Mex fare. In the heart of Tecopa, four local businesses carry on the tradition that first brought visitors here — seeking relief and rejuvenation by immersing themselves in the natural hot mineral spring water. The Tecopa Hot Springs Campground offers tent camping, RV spaces and two charming little cabins with comfortable beds and air conditioning. This is also the location of the Tecopa Trading Post, offering an eclectic mix of camping food essentials, artwork and souvenirs. The Tecopa Hot Springs Resort offers 16 motel rooms, four cabins with kitchenettes, tent camping and RV spaces. The Resort is home to the Tecopa Basin Artists Group Gallery, with a new art exhibit every 4 to 6 weeks. The Gallery often hosts art workshops and music events on an open air stage. Here you’ll find the Tecopa Bistro restaurant, which offers an excellent breakfast. Delight’s Hot Springs, one of the oldest hot springs resorts in Tecopa, offers six small adobe cottages, three studio rooms, private pools, an RV park and an on-site BBQ restaurant and brew pub. The Tecopa Palms RV Park offers RV spaces, private pools and a spacious and busy club house where guests meet for socializing and activities such as quilting, crafts, and a social hour in the evening. Death Valley Vistiors Guide • 11th Edition 7 %!' " " $ &% % % * )" # ! , " , , !! , % !" , $ , ((( % ' * !% $ ! &% !# + ! $$ ! # ! % * % ! # Tecopa and Shoshone Experiences Visitors to Villa Anita get a unique, immersive desert art experience. PHOTO COURTESY VILLA ANITA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6