Play a memorable round of golf

Not only is there a championship golf course in Death Valley, but it is also recognized by Golf Digest as one of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.”

This 18-hole, par-70 course was designed by the renowned golf course architect, Perry Dye. Four sets of tees enable players of all skill levels to participate. But with water features on 9 holes, even the most experienced players will find something to challenge them on this course.

Since the bottom of Death Valley boasts the lowest elevation in North America, The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley also has the distinction of being the lowest golf course in the US. It sits 214 feet below sea level. It’s also one of those clubs where you can boast you played the game and bought the T-shirt…in the well-stocked Pro Shop.

Enjoy trail riding through spectacular desert

Visit Furnace Creek Stables, where you can join their fantastic 1 or 2-hours guided horseback trail rides through Death Valley National Park. Choose from a ride into the desert at the base of the valley or a longer ride into the foothills of the ominously named Funeral Mountains.

On a clear day, you can see over 100 miles from the foothills. This is a perfect way to reenact the journey through Death Valley followed by pioneers and gold and silver prospectors. And if you prefer to be driven rather than ride, Furnace Creek Stables also offers evening hay wagon and carriage rides.

Hike through breathtaking scenery

There are few mapped trails through Death Valley National Park, but well-trodden paths thread through the valley. Recreational walkers can follow such informal trails into Mosaic Canyon (4 miles), Golden Canyon (3 miles) or visit the Harmony Borax Works historic site (0.4 miles).

For hiking April through October, you need to take care when you’re out under the sun. Take plenty of bottled water and apply sunscreen. Wear wide-brimmed hats, too. Even in winter, the dry air in Death Valley means you need to stay hydrated.

If you want more of a challenge, the steep 14-mile path up to Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range makes for a challenging all-day hike. At 11,043 feet above sea level, the peak is the highest point in Death Valley. However, be warned. Despite the pleasant temperatures below, these mountains get their fair share of snow in winter. So, for a hike into the mountains, you’ll need to carry layers in your backpack you can add as you ascend.

Smell the flowers

You might be shocked to discover that Death Valley is a great place to admire wildflowers. Between mid-February and mid-May, spring showers often paint the valley floor in a blaze of colors.

If you’re visiting Death Valley in spring, head for Jubilee Pass near The Inn at Death Valley. There you might find blazing star, desert gold, Encelia, evening primrose, mimulus, phacelia, poppies, verbena, and, of course, flowering cacti.

In late spring and early summer, you’ll see plenty of wildflowers at higher elevations as you hike into the Panamints. However, you’ll find different flower species at higher elevations when compared to the valley floor, such as the endemic Panamint daisies, paintbrush, lupine, Mojave wild rose, rabbitbrush, and mariposa lilies.

Learn how to relax

In all the classic B-Westerns, the heroes check into the hotel above a saloon to soak in a hot tin bath and wash off the trail dust. Although The Inn at Death Valley is a historic inn, you’ll find that things have changed a little over the years. Today, The Inn features a spa with a trained masseuse exclusively for the use of guests.

So, if you want to pamper yourself with a relaxing spa day, check into The Inn at Death Valley. Rather than an antique tin bath, expect to find brand new spa rooms with services such as aromatherapy, salt scrubs, hot stone massages, and reflexology. And if you want a swim to wake you up, The Inn at Death Valley boasts a spectacular spring-fed pool.

Explore a saloon from the Old West

If you dream of treading your cowboy boots into a saloon from the Old West, check out the recently added The Last Kind Words Saloon, located at The Ranch at Death Valley. This Western-themed restaurant and bar is an aesthetically pleasing tribute to one-horse-town saloons of a bygone age.

The menu follows the theme. You can look forward to a spicy chuckwagon chili, Dante’s chicken wings, Tomahawk bone-in ribeye, game of the day, tasty steaks, and wild Alaskan salmon. Vegetarians aren’t neglected, with delicious grilled flatbread, 1849 penne, and poblano macaroni and cheese. And, of course, the classic selection of whiskeys and beers you’d expect in any Wild West saloon…as well as some fine wines you might not!

Gaze at the stars

Because Death Valley National Park is so far away from civilization, the park is designated a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park. From Furnace Creek, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the night sky that make Death Valley an excellent, year-round destination for keen astronomy enthusiasts.

In fact, The Ranch at Death Valley hosts regular Star Parties in conjunction with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society. Death Valley is close enough to LA and Vegas for city dwellers to come for a getaway weekend of stargazing but far enough away that the city light pollution does not interfere with the local night sky.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.

The post How to Spend A Weekend In Death Valley, CA first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

With a little planning, you can catch many of the park’s highlights while leaving yourself enough time to bask in the silence of the desert and pamper yourself at the resort.

So here you are, staying for a long weekend at The Oasis at Death Valley, a world-class resort surrounded by Death Valley National Park. A vast expanse that’s bigger than two states and the District of Columbia, Death Valley is the lower 48’s largest national park, and you’ll no doubt want to explore as much of its diverse and rugged desert terrain as possible. But you probably also hope to kick back and relax on the grounds of the resort’s two recently renovated hotels: the luxurious and historic Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley.

The reality is that it would take a lifetime to see all of Death Valley, a park that ranges in elevation from Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, to the snowcapped heights of 11,049-foot Telescope Peak in the Panamint Range. There are expansive salt flats and intimate, serpentine canyons, plus geological features from volcanic craters to sand dunes. And given the right conditions, Death Valley can put on spectacular displays of spring wildflowers.

That’s a lot of ground to cover. But with a little planning, you can catch many of the park’s highlights while leaving yourself enough time to bask in the serenity of the desert and pamper yourself at the resort. Here’s how:

Day One

Morning

Less than a 10-minute drive from the resort, Zabriskie Point might just transform even the most stubborn of night owls into a morning person. That’s because this overlook offers the definitive sunrise view in the park as the badlands below the point come aglow with the first light of day and the Panamint Range across the valley fires with pinks and reds.

Watch the display and then take a short drive on an unpaved road (suitable for standard vehicles) through the jagged badlands of nearby 20 Mule Team Canyon. From the end of the one-way road, it’s a quick hop back to the beautifully restored Inn Dining Room, where you’ll find historic Western art and a breakfast menu of regionally inspired specialties — from huevos rancheros to 49’er flapjacks served with Deglet Noor date butter.

Over at the national park’s Furnace Creek Visitor Center, you can learn about the region’s natural and human history and also catch a beautifully produced 20-minute film narrated by actor Donald Sutherland that illuminates Death Valley’s grandeur. For more history, stop at The Ranch to visit the Borax Museum. Housed in the valley’s oldest structure, which dates to 1883, the museum exhibits an impressive mineral collection and looks at the role that borax, a mineral used in ceramics and a host of cleaning supplies, played in Death Valley’s development. Behind the museum, you’ll also find historic mining equipment, wagons, and locomotives on display.

While you’re at The Ranch, pick up a cup of coffee and enjoy the park-like setting of its reimagined town square. Built in a Spanish Colonial Revival style with beautifully landscaped gardens, the square is lined by newly constructed buildings that house the resort’s general store, a Western-style restaurant, a brand new tavern, and The Last Kind Words Saloon.

Lunch

Hang out by The Inn’s landmark spring-fed pool, which maintains a steady temperature in the mid-80s, and enjoy the serene setting as you dine on sandwiches, crudité, and cheeseboards at the Inn Pool Café in a beautiful cabana with spectacular views.

Afternoon

Head south from the resort for the classic drive down Badwater Road. Take your pick of short hikes just off the road, including the easy 1-mile round trip to Natural Bridge, an eroded stone formation that spans a narrow canyon. For a slightly longer trek, explore the starkly beautiful terrain of Golden Canyon, where a 3-mile round trip leads to Red Cathedral, a spectacular ruddy-hued natural amphitheater tucked into a side canyon.

Most people make the drive to visit Badwater Basin for the novelty of visiting the continent’s lowest point. For perspective on how low Badwater actually is, look up on the towering cliffs opposite the parking lot for a small sign that marks sea level. And give yourself time at Badwater to walk out on the boardwalk that traverses the salt flats.

Try to time your return drive to the resort for late afternoon. That’s the best time of day to take a detour along 9-mile Artist’s Drive to see the most colorful spot in the entire park: Artist’s Palette. With red, pink, purple, and turquoise hues coloring the rock, this remarkable formation definitely lives up to its name.

The Inn Dining Room

Dinner and Evening

Savor an elegant dinner at The Inn Dining Room, where you’ll face tough decisions not only between such entrees as port-braised prime beef short ribs and grilled salmon in a yuzu soy reduction, but also about where you want to sit. While the Southwest-style dining room certainly has a relaxed and romantic elegance, a table out along the veranda on a perfect Death Valley night with beautiful views is positively unforgettable.

Day Two

Morning

Along with sunrise at Zabriskie Point, the other classic Death Valley morning experience is a walk in the billowing Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells. The morning light paints the sands with delicate golds and pinks and also accents the ripples etched into the slopes by the wind. It’s also fun to look for animal tracks pressed into the dunes by an assortment of Death Valley creatures including coyotes, desert kit foxes, and kangaroo rats.

On the way back to the resort for breakfast, take a detour for a walk along the boardwalk at the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail. Look into the spring-fed creek’s waters, where, especially during the spring mating season, you’ll see tiny Salt Creek pupfish, rare creatures that survive from the days when water covered Death Valley.

Afternoon

After lunch at The Wild Rose Tavern, the newest dining option at The Ranch at Death Valley, head north to see three classic Death Valley sites.

Reopened after a nine-year safety-related closure, the restored Keane Wonder Mine off the Beatty Cutoff preserves a major gold mining operation that dates to the early 1900s. In addition to seeing remnants from mining days, you can follow a trail that steeply climbs past the towers of the mostly intact aerial tramway.

Back on the main Death Valley road, drive up to Ubehebe Crater in the northern reaches of the park for your chance to walk along the rim of a 600-foot-deep volcano that erupted about 2,100 years ago.

Dinner and Evening

Before enjoying dinner at The Inn Dining Room or at The Ranch, savor every last minute of the day on a sunset or moonlight horseback ride along the valley floor with Furnace Creek Stables. For a nightcap, the lobby bar at The Inn is an elegant spot to toast another great Death Valley day.

Day Three

Morning

The panorama is positively heavenly from Dante’s View, an overlook about 40 minutes south of the resort. At 5,475 feet in the Black Mountains, Dante’s View is literally more than a mile above the salt flats and takes in a spectacular vista looking north across the full sweep of the valley. Hike along the network of trails to get different perspectives for photographs.

The morning is also an ideal time to test your game on The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley, the world’s lowest-elevation golf course at 214 feet below sea level. The challenging course earned a spot on Golf Digest’s list of America’s Toughest Courses. And not only are there birdies, but there are also birds: The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System designated the eco-friendly course as a certified natural sanctuary.

Afternoon

After lunch, you’ll have to decide just how ambitious you want to be. By this time in the trip, you’ve no doubt spent time behind the wheel. If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else and still get out to some of the park’s more rugged and remote destinations, Farabee’s Jeep Tours leads guided outings to such spots as Racetrack Playa.

Of course, you also have the option of indulging in a little rest and relaxation. For the ultimate in pampering, settle into a poolside cabana at The Inn and treat yourself to a desert hot stone massage in one of the spa’s two treatment rooms overlooking Xanadu Gardens.

Evening

Enjoy your final dinner at The Inn Dining Room, then find a spot away from any lights for stargazing and you’ll soon discover why Death Valley earned recognition as the country’s largest International Dark Park from DarkSky International. You won’t need any special optics (binoculars are fine) to bear witness to the brilliance of the Death Valley sky. But in winter and spring, park rangers and experts from local astronomy organizations conduct stargazing events with high-powered telescopes.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.

Written by: Matt Jaffe

Specializing in California, the Southwest, and Hawaii, Matt Jaffe is an award-winning former senior writer at Sunset magazine and contributes to a variety of publications, including Los Angeles, Arizona Highways, and Westways. His books include The Santa Monica Mountains: Range on the Edge and Oaxaca: The Spirit of Mexico.

The post 3 Perfect Days: The Oasis at Death Valley first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

As much as they add to our lives, our devices and the internet can also be all-consuming. No surprise, then, that taking a break from the digital world is becoming an increasingly popular trend. With so much to see and do, The Oasis at Death Valley and the surrounding 3.4 million acres of Death Valley National Park offer the perfect antidote to digital overload. Yes, The Oasis at Death Valley has Wi-Fi and cell service — but using it may be the last thing on your mind as you enjoy a vacation in real life.

Here are the top 10 things to do during a stay at The Oasis at Death Valley that don’t require staring at a screen.

Take a Hike

With miles of surreal landscapes to explore, Death Valley National Park has hikes ranging from low impact to extreme. Stop by the National Park Service visitor center next to the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley for information or to sign up for one of several ranger-led hikes. February to May is a prime time to explore, when wildflowers paint the desert gorgeous colors, especially around Jubilee Pass and in the Panamint Mountains. Always be aware of the weather conditions in Death Valley and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, maps, and other provisions any time of year.

Stargaze

Instead of looking down at your phone, look up at the one of the darkest skies in North America. Death Valley National Park is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, and astronomy programs take place throughout the season in partnership with area astronomy clubs. Peer through telescopes or enjoy the celestial sights any time of year with just your naked eyes.

Go for a Drive

Many of Death Valley’s most scenic spots are accessible via passenger vehicle. Artist’s Drive, Dante’s View, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are just a few notable destinations you can reach by paved road. Bring your phone, but just for the camera. There’s no cell service out here, and you’ll spend a day off the grid taking in some of the world’s most striking sights.

Get a Massage

Relax your mind and body with an indulgent massage amid the date palms or poolside at the AAA Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley. It’s the perfect way to get offline and decompress.

Play a Round

Trade your screen for a green at The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley, the world’s lowest-elevation golf course at 214 feet below sea level. Spring water is used to irrigate the surprisingly lush 18-hole, par-70 course that has open grassy fairways, 40-foot-tall palm trees, and water features on as many as nine holes. Because of the increased air density, golfers find they have to use a longer club or add a little more oomph to their swings.

Saddle Up

Furnace Creek Stables offers one- or two-hour trail rides mid-October through mid-May. And for a truly unique way to explore the desert, take advantage of the moonlight rides during the Full Moon. Guides detail the history and features of the area as guests ride through foothills and the desert valley. A 45-minute evening wagon ride tours The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley and its famous date palm grove.

Go 4x4ing

Go offline by going off-road with Farabee Jeep Rentals. Sign up for one of several guided tours or rent your own Jeep for the day.

Get Active

Tennis courts, bocce ball, shuffleboard, volleyball, swimming, a putting green, and a playground —The Oasis at Death Valley has plenty of outdoor activities for the entire family. The natural spring-fed pool stays at 84 degrees year-round and doesn’t require chemicals as the water is constantly circulating.

Dine In

With its white linen, beamed ceilings, stone fireplaces, and panoramic views, The Inn Dining Room delights and surprises its guests with its fine-dining menu and wine selections given the resort’s remoteness. The menu changes with the availability of provisions to ensure the freshest cuts, but almost always offers steak and seafood options. While seeking to source sustainable ingredients in this harsh environment is challenging, there is a surprising number of ingredients from the region and the wine list includes some of the best California labels.

Do Nothing at All

With stunning landscapes that change with the sun, delightful winter weather, a literal oasis in the desert, and plenty of patios for lounging, The Oasis at Death Valley is the perfect place for guilt-free relaxation. Relax and watch clouds and shadows play across the Panamint Mountains from your patio, explore the date grove and gurgling spring, or walk the property and admire its 1920s styling that dates to the resort’s 1927 opening. After taking in the quiet beauty of Death Valley, any habit to reflexively check your phone will simply melt away.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.

Written by: Steve Larese

Steve Larese is a travel journalist and photographer based in New Mexico. He specializes in writing about and photographing America’s national parks. See more at stevelarese.com.

The post Digital Detox at The Oasis at Death Valley first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

The park attracts photography buffs from around the world drawn by its celestial beauty. But capturing it can be a challenge. Here are some tips that will help you take home out-of-this-world photographs.

Use a Tripod

To photograph the night sky you need to use a long shutter speed, meaning your camera or phone sensor will be exposed to faint starlight for a long time in order to record the stars. A tripod will keep your sensor still while it records light. You don’t need a large or expensive tripod, just one that can support the weight of your camera and withstand whatever breeze there may be. Even small tabletop tripods will work. If your tripod is jittery at all, fill a bag with rocks and hang it from the tripod, and don’t fully extend it to keep its center of gravity lower to the ground. Using a cell phone? Adapters with a ¼-20 thread are available to clamp your phone to any standard tripod. Finally, glow-in-the-dark tape is useful for marking tripod legs and lens caps that might get bumped or dropped.

Choose Your Lens

A wide-angle lens of at least 28mm (full-frame; 14mm for APS-C cameras) is a good choice for capturing the expanse of the Milky Way, and anything in the 15mm to 24mm range is ideal. Most cell phone lenses are equivalent to 28mm. Longer lenses such as a 70-200mm are good for revealing astronomical objects such as nebulae and star clusters, but they magnify the blurring caused by the rotation of the earth and any camera shake.

Manage Your Settings

For cameras that allow manual control, begin by setting your ISO (light sensitivity) to 800, open your lens aperture (f-stop) to as wide as it can go (the smaller the number the larger the aperture), and set your shutter speed to 20 seconds (hence the tripod). If the shot looks too dark, increase your ISO to 1600, then 3200. You can also slow down your shutter speed, but keep in mind that anything longer than 30 seconds will start to show blurring due to the earth’s rotation, especially with longer lenses such as 50mm and above. Higher ISOs also invite digital noise and potential “hot pixels,” which are discolored by pushing the sensitivity too high. Lenses that allow apertures of 1.8 or 2.8 are preferable to those that start at 4 or 5.6 as your shutter speed can be longer and ISO can be lower, but those lenses also tend to be more expensive. Play around with these three settings (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) until you get a satisfactory exposure.

Use a remote control if you have one and/or set your drive mode to 2- or 10-second self-timer mode, and use the mirror-up setting if your camera has one. This way the slight jiggle of depressing the shutter button will have time to settle down so you get sharper images.

For cell phones, try apps such as Camera FV-5 (Android), Open Camera or DSLR HD Camera that give you some control of the camera settings including ISO and shutter speed.

Check Your Focus

Autofocus lenses often will not be able to focus on the sky, so you’ll need to switch to manual focus. Typically, turning the lens until it stops at the infinity setting will render stars in focus, but some lenses can actually be out of focus when turned all the way. Take a shot, then magnify the image to make sure that your stars are pinpoints and not fuzzy dots. Most cameras allow magnified live view, so you can zoom in and nail your focus before taking the image. Use a red-filtered flashlight so you can see what you’re doing without ruining your natural night vision with white light.

Location, Location, Location

Including a bit of landscape will add depth to your photos and make your Milky Way shots less generic. Plan where you want to shoot before hand, and know how to get there and back safely in the dark. Without any artificial lighting, the landscape will mostly appear as silhouettes, but that will still add an interesting dimension to your photos. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, and Rhyolite Ghost Town all make for interesting foregrounds.

Try Light Painting

If you’d like to add some detail to the landscapes, try light painting with a flashlight or off-camera flash. Using the self-timer or remote, trip the shutter and sweep the flashlight slowly and steadily across the landscape during the long exposure to reveal some detail. You won’t appear in the photo if you walk in front of the camera as long as you don’t stand still. If you’d like a person in the photo, have that individual stay completely still for the exposure while you move the light over them. Off-camera flashes can be fired with the test button. Aim at different features and pop the flash as many times as you can during the long exposure. Make sure there are no other people around, especially when using a flash, so you don’t ruin their shots or night vision. And always be careful when walking in the desert, especially at night.

Plan for the Moon and for Meteor Showers

Know what the moon will be doing during your visit. If you want a completely dark sky for Milky Way shots, plan your trip as close to the new moon as possible. If you’d like to take ghostly landscape shots, a gibbous to full moon will act as a huge flashlight for light painting. Sky Map, LightTrac and moon phase apps are helpful for planning your trip. Don’t have a choice when you visit? Use an app to plan when a bright moon will set or rise at night. If you’d like to photograph the moon, the two days before it’s completely full allow you to shoot it while the landscape still has some sunlight. On the night of the full moon, the sun will have already set by the time it rises.

Large and small meteor showers occur throughout the year. Find out from which constellation meteor showers will appear to originate, and point your camera there for a radiant effect.

Go By Car

When staying at the AAA Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley or the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley, a short walk will lead to dark, open skies. If you’d like to venture farther out by car, plan exactly where you’re going and let someone know. The landscape can look completely different at night, and something that seems easy to reach during the day can be far more difficult in the dark. One wayward rock can render your vehicle inoperable. Always take a real compass and map in addition to any GPS devices you’re using, and take water and other emergency items. If your vehicle can’t make the trip, you can rent a jeep from Farabee Jeep Rentals & Tours across the street from The Inn.

Participate in Special Events

Death Valley National Park offers astronomy programs in conjunction with local astronomy clubs. Stargazing parties take place throughout the year, and these are great opportunities to learn more about astronomy and astrophotography from experts. The next star party will be Jan. 27-28, 2017. Check the Calendar of Events on the Activities tab of the website for other events and the new and full moon phases.

Finally, don’t forget to stop fiddling with your camera for a moment to let yourself be star struck by Death Valley’s pristine night sky. It’s worth the stay alone at one of the most spectacular places on earth.

For travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.

Written by: Steve Larese

Steve Larese is a travel journalist and photographer based in New Mexico. He specializes in writing about and photographing America’s national parks. See more at stevelarese.com.

The post How to Photograph Death Valley’s Night Sky Like a Pro first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

Less than a five-hour drive from Los Angeles, there’s a place where anyone can look up and see the universe the way everyone could 100 years ago.

One of the rarest and greatest natural attractions in the United States is total darkness. And one of the best places to experience this phenomenon is in Death Valley National Park. Because its skies are affected by only the smallest amounts of light pollution from distant cities, it is classified Gold Tier by DarkSky International (previously International Dark-Sky Association), the highest level of designation for star-filled skies. Astronomical objects visible there are available only in some of the darkest locations around the globe.

So it’s no wonder that Death Valley is center stage for the growing trend of night-sky tourism, drawing visitors from all over the world for clear views of the heavenly bodies.

The Oasis at Death Valley is ideally positioned in the park to serve as a base for stargazing. With clear nights the norm, lack of settled land, and the exterior lights of the resort dim by design, breathtaking western sunsets give way to expansive skies and endless stars. It’s perfect for travelers in search of astronomical sights — constellations, planets, deep-sky objects, celestial events like lunar eclipses and meteor showers, and even galaxies like the increasingly hard-to-spot Milky Way.

During the winter and spring months, 3.4-million-acre Death Valley National Park hosts stargazing events, but the beautiful dark skies are an attraction for astronomy enthusiasts year-round.

Guests at The Oasis at Death Valley, which includes the historic Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley, can enjoy an unparalleled stargazing experience with the following options:

• Ranger-led programs, hosted by Death Valley National Park, complete with high-powered telescopes. Stargazers can view the moon’s surface, distant stars, and deep-sky objects at various park locations including the Mesquite Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, and the Visitors Center.
• Monthly moonlight horseback rides provided by Furnace Creek Stables, offered either five days prior to the full moon or one day after, from October to mid-May.

Whether you’re a professional astronomer using a high-powered telescope or just a casual stargazing fan, there are few better places to enjoy the spectacular dark-sky displays than in Death Valley.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit xanterra.com/stories.

The post Starry, Starry Night first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

Over 100 miles from Last Vegas and the rest of civilization, The Oasis at Death Valley offers a retreat from the sometimes frenetic pace of modern life into a timeless desert landscape of enveloping silence and inspiring beauty. So while it may sound counterintuitive, Death Valley, known as the hottest spot on Earth, is the perfect place to chill out.

Two Distinct Hotel Experiences

The Oasis at Death Valley is a full-service resort, offering a serene home base for exploring Death Valley National Park’s rugged terrain. With a recent $200 million renaissance, the resort comprises two distinct hotel experiences – the historic four diamond Inn at Death Valley and the family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley.

An elegant hideaway since 1927, the historic Inn at Death Valley has been a AAA-rated four-diamond resort for more than 37 years and still pampers every guest. Nestled against the hillside, it offers exclusive and private accommodations overlooking the valley and the Panamint Mountains. The hotel boasts natural springs throughout the property, lush palm trees, and beautiful bougainvillea. Recently renovated, The Inn offers new casitas, a spring-fed pool, and classic California-desert style.

Located along Highway 190 near the National Park Service Visitor Center, The Ranch at Death Valley is the energetic center of activity in Death Valley. The Ranch features a classic town square with towering date palms, mission California architecture, and spacious lawns along an 18-hole golf course – the lowest elevation course in the world. It also offers a natural spring-fed pool, rooms with exterior entrances, and new cozy cottages. Additionally, there are convenient to-go food options to enhance your stay as you embark on adventures in Death Valley National Park.

Rejuvenating Spring-fed Pools

Considering Death Valley is the driest spot in North America, new guests are always delighted to discover that both The Inn and The Ranch feature large, inviting swimming pools. Nearby natural hot springs deliver a steady flow of soothing 87-degree water, helping you escape and reclaim your senses in rejuvenating waters.

Taking a dip in these pools is truly a sublime experience. In the summer, it provides a refreshing respite, while in the winter nights, it offers an invigorating contrast of brisk air temperatures against the warm water – a treat for both the body and the spirit. Marvel at the clear desert sky adorned by innumerable stars as you enjoy the therapeutic waters.

To enhance your experience, the pool bar offers a variety of delightful options, including cocktails, beer, smoothies, and light fare, eliminating the need to leave the pool area. For those aiming to live a purer, more natural lifestyle, the pool water undergoes frequent replenishment from the spring and does not require chlorine or other chemical treatments.

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more active? Adjacent to the pool at The Inn, we offer a newly expanded fitness center that is one-third larger than before. It’s the perfect place to kickstart your cardio or strength training while enjoying stunning views of the pool.

Pamper Yourself

Whether you choose to engage in fitness activities within the resort premises or embark on invigorating hikes through the rugged and vibrant canyons of Death Valley National Park, you can rejuvenate your weary muscles at The Inn’s wellness center. The Wellness Sanctuary at Death Valley boasts two treatment rooms and a serene relaxation area with a picturesque waterfall overlooking the gardens. Our skilled therapists are dedicated to alleviating any discomfort and promoting overall relaxation with an extensive range of treatments, including Swedish and hot stone massages. Experience the indulgence that sets us apart from other national park locations!

A Unique Golfing Experience

If you’re looking for a unique experience on the greens, look no further The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley. Located 214 feet below sea level, this 18-hole course is unlike any other golfing experience in the world. Expertly designed, it offers a challenging and dynamic play that will test even the most seasoned golfer. A knowledgeable PGA Golf Pro is on site to provide lessons and invaluable tips to help you make the most of your game. Framed by palm and tamarisk trees, with a stunning mountain backdrop and endless sunshine, it’s a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Natural Beauty

There is something undeniably alluring about the beauty of nature, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the awe-inspiring Death Valley National Park. From towering sand dunes to deep canyons and vast salt flats, there is never a dull moment when exploring the park. But perhaps one of the greatest delights of Death Valley is the sense of peacefulness and tranquility that can be found within this breathtaking wilderness. Whether lounging on a sun-soaked rock or taking a leisurely stroll amidst the park’s stunning flora and fauna, the serenity of Death Valley is truly unmatched. So if you’re looking for a place to unwind and bask in the wonders of the natural world, look no further than this stunning national park.

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The post How to Beat the Winter Blahs at a Desert Oasis first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.

If anyone appreciates the lack of light pollution in the park it’s John Heller, a member of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society. Heller, alongside other members of the LVAS, graciously host an event called “Tonight’s Sky” a star viewing party at The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley every winter to spread their love and knowledge of the stars and planets with others. Join us January 27-28 at 8 p.m. for the next event and book your room .

When did you develop a passion for astronomy?

I became interested in astronomy before I was a teenager, during the Apollo space program. I wanted to learn more about the moon and the proposed landing locations. I had a wall-sized moon map in my bedroom. When my parents gave me my first telescope for Christmas, the moon wasn’t up that night, so I managed to find Saturn using a finder map from a little Golden Book. When I viewed Saturn through that 4 1/2″ Tasco telescope, I was absolutely awed.

What makes Furnace Creek Resort a great place to stargaze?

First and foremost, it is dark. It is far away from any significant urban “light domes”, and both Xanterra and the National Park Service have made deliberate efforts to reduce light pollution around Furnace Creek. Other great attributes are the moderate weather eight months of the year and the great venues for setting up telescopes. The most recent location at the golf course has worked out very well.

Can you describe what occurs at a typical Star Party at Furnace Creek, hosted by The Las Vegas Astronomical Society?

I think “facilitated” by the LVAS might be a better way of putting it. Xanterra and the NPS have hosted the events by providing the venues and advertising them. It’s also important to note that many of the participants are not LVAS. During our last star party, we had many participants from California, Along with others from Arizona and Utah. We even had one amateur astronomer who brought an 18” telescope all the way from Seattle to take advantage of the weather and dark skies.

To better answer your questions, we typically hold two-day events over Friday and Saturday near a new moon in October and February. Astronomers bringing telescopes are asked to sign up on the LVAS website so that we have an idea of the number of participants for logistics purposes. Astronomers are allowed to set up on Friday afternoon and scopes are allowed to be kept setup until Sunday morning. On the evening of the event, we begin observing at dusk and there is usually a steady stream of the public coming through until after 9:00. We typically have a couple of hundred people show up to look through the scopes. Astronomers are allowed to observe through the night. Early each evening, one of the astronomers provides a half-hour “night sky tour” to talk about the night sky and to point out constellations and interesting visible objects. On Saturday, we also set up solar observing scopes by the Furnace Creek general store. We usually have a good selection of white light and hydrogen-alpha scopes to allow viewing of both sunspots and solar prominences.

If someone wanted to get involved with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, what steps should they take?

That’s simple, they simply show up at a monthly meeting or an event. The LVAS hold its meetings the first Thursday of each month at the Cheyenne Campus of the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. They can find out about our events by checking the LVAS website at www.lvastronomy.com. If they want to become members, they can join through the website or at one of the meetings.

What is the best stargazing experience you have had at Death Valley?

Dealing with the public has a lot of “bests”. Hearing the “oohs” and “wows” when people look through the eyepiece is always satisfying. For a lot of people, it is their first time looking through a telescope – especially with all of the foreign visitors that come to Death Valley. I like thinking that I am giving them a unique experience when they climb the ladder to view through my 25” reflector. At one October event, I was out until dawn in shorts. The winter Milky Way can be an amazing sight in Death Valley. What impresses me, as an astronomer, about Death Valley is how good the seeing can be below sea level. I don’t know if it’s from being in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains or some other phenomena of the location, but there are times when the transparency and seeing are as good as many of our higher altitude dark sky sites.

Other than Death Valley National Park, what other places do you enjoy visiting to take in the night sky?

I’ve enjoyed many southwest observing sites over the 15 years that I’ve lived in Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon, at 7000 feet on the South Rim and 8000 feet on the North Rim can be absolutely sublime for summer observing. Grand Canyon National Park hosts a star party each June that LVAS supported for a number of years. Great Basin National Park started doing annual star parties about six years ago, and we went there for the first few years. For a number of years, we went to the Grandview Campground, near the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest east of Bishop, CA. Perhaps the darkest skies I have ever seen were from Belmont, NV and tiny old mining town about an hour northeast of Tonopah, NV. There is no commercial power to the town and the nearest lights come from the Round Mountain gold mine. At 7800 feet the summer Milky Way is so bright that you can see shadows from it. But all of those high-altitude observing sites are way too cold from October to May. Closer to home, we now have an observatory on Mt. Potosi through an arrangement with the Boy Scouts and we can get reasonably dark skies near Echo Bay and Temple Bar marinas out by Lake Meade.

Make your reservation.

The post Let the pros guide you at our Furnace Creek Star Party! first appeared on The Oasis at Death Valley.