FREE Camping Near Death Valley Junction California

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  • Опубликовано: 20 дек 2024

Комментарии • 150

  • @001desertrat3
    @001desertrat3 3 года назад +6

    Just for Information : The "Desert Campsite" @11:45 was originally the "Valley Crest Mobile Home Park" owned and operated by the American Borate Company from 1976 to 1986 as housing for the employees working at the Billie Mine . If you continue down Hwy. 190 towards Furnace Creek and stop at the Kiosk and look to the South , you can see the buildings and large steel Headframe of the Billie Mine. American Borate Co. mined three Borate minerals : Colemanite , Ulexite , and Probertite ; but our Primary Mineral was Colemanite which was used in the manufacture of the Ablative Tiles on the Space Shuttles . Colemanite was very important to the Space Shuttles because of it's High Coefficient of Thermal Expansion ; when small amounts of Colemanite are added to any Glass or Ceramic material that material now has the ability to withstand sudden extreme temperature changes . Think of Corelle dishware , how you can take it out of the Freezer and put it right into a Hot Oven or Microwave and it doesn't shatter . It's also used in the manufacture of Owens-Cornings Pink house insulation , Pyrex Glassware , Eye Glasses , Automotive Headlamps , Paints , Medicines , and many other Products . --- I lived there in the Mobile Home Park while I worked at the Billie Mine --- I was a Union Certified Top Millwright , Senior Underground Mine Maintenance Mechanic , Certified Welder - Fabricator , Top Miner , Licensed Blaster , Heavy Equipment Operator , Firefighter , Search and Rescue Technician , and the ONLY Medical Doctor / Coroner working Underground . --- < Doc , Retired , Miner for over 50 years > .

  • @boogerboard52
    @boogerboard52 3 года назад +15

    That free camping spot was a mobile home park for the miners in Death valley in the 70's. I worked there in the 70's

    • @peacedove9513
      @peacedove9513 3 года назад +2

      What did they mine?

    • @gregdoyle4602
      @gregdoyle4602 3 года назад +3

      Borax, Ryan and Billy mines

    • @judym6648
      @judym6648 3 года назад +1

      Good info to share. My RV group is meeting there middle March.

    • @boogerboard52
      @boogerboard52 3 года назад

      I worked at the Billy & the Sigma mine 79 & 80 . Mining for colmanite. Did some partying where those pads are back in the day.

    • @gringoreno
      @gringoreno Год назад

      Did you remember oakies Ace hardware I did work electrical for Marta and tom Williams in the eights free for them I use to drive down from Reno when I could they had a post office . Cannot remember her name she lived in a air stream behind the building

  • @jeanne4771
    @jeanne4771 3 года назад +4

    I was there around 1990 and Marta was still dancing

  • @Lynne76
    @Lynne76 3 года назад +4

    I am from the UK and we don't have anything like this, I am really enjoying watching these videos, brilliant thank you 😊

    • @henrywardell4635
      @henrywardell4635 3 года назад +1

      We Love RVerTV.

    • @Lynne76
      @Lynne76 3 года назад +1

      @@henrywardell4635
      I am just watching them from the beginning and I am really enjoying them Thank you 😊

  • @jeromesmith1866
    @jeromesmith1866 3 года назад +2

    I lived in Death Valley for almost 3yrs. Stovepipe Wells is where I stayed. Didn't realize how much I missed that place. Thanks for the video.

  • @tglass0000
    @tglass0000 3 года назад +6

    There is an amazing documentary about Marta! She is a legendary spirit of the desert!

  • @michaela.chmieloski3196
    @michaela.chmieloski3196 3 года назад +2

    3:53 Remnants of the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad right-of-way and wye in evidence. The large slab above the mainline possibly belonged to the Pacific Coast Borax Company crusher and concentrating plant.

  • @antonyx4735
    @antonyx4735 3 года назад +7

    Death Valley, my favorite national park

  • @juliebradford2999
    @juliebradford2999 3 года назад +7

    Thanks for taking us on another adventure. Stay safe.

  • @gerryhartung736
    @gerryhartung736 3 года назад +6

    My wife, two kids and myself knew the couple that owned opera and motel. Mary the ballerina, painted walls of opera depicting king and court on walls. She would dance whenever people would visit. That was 69,70. Alas we moved away, and lost contact. The owners were from N. Y. City.

    • @judym6648
      @judym6648 3 года назад +1

      Unfortunately Russ did not have all the great information to share with his viewers..

    • @001desertrat3
      @001desertrat3 3 года назад +1

      @Gerry Hartung -- The Ballerina's name is Marta Becket not ''Mary'' . [ Marta Becket (August 9, 1924 - January 30, 2017) born Martha Beckett, was an American actress, dancer, choreographer and painter. She performed for more than four decades at her own theater, the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley Junction, California -- ( from Wikipedia ) ] . I first met Marta in the Summer of 1969 when I first entered the Death Valley region . I would always stop and visit with Marta and her Husband whenever I was in the area and would watch her performances . I , along with many others , watched her last performance on February 12, 2012 . < Doc > .

  • @CommonSense-iu6wz
    @CommonSense-iu6wz 3 года назад +3

    Stayed at the Opera twice even met Marta Becket saw her perform have a signed print of hers too well actually two prints wish I could share the artwork here it's amazing

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  3 года назад +2

      wow. that is cool I bet she was a great entertainer

    • @CommonSense-iu6wz
      @CommonSense-iu6wz 3 года назад +1

      @@rvertv Amazing!!! Although she was already in her 80's when I saw her perform quite an experience I have such great stories about it ☺️ kind of spooky too

  • @brookeshaffer4377
    @brookeshaffer4377 3 года назад +13

    Oh the interesting history to be found in these out of the way desert communities if we just take time to stop and explore. They can truly be gifts😀Thanks for sharing Russ.Take care👍

  • @olliechristopher467
    @olliechristopher467 3 года назад +5

    I just started following your channel a week or so ago. Your narration and videography is amazing. The memories you bring are appreciated Sir.

    • @peacedove9513
      @peacedove9513 3 года назад

      Your gonna subscribe if you love the Desert

  • @ZahaA
    @ZahaA 3 года назад +4

    I visited Death Valley two years ago. One of my favorite places. Beautiful video Thank Russ 🚐

  • @robertjean659
    @robertjean659 3 года назад +7

    That camp ground was a great place to stay way out nowhere. Thanks for another great drive.

  • @robertspecht1911
    @robertspecht1911 3 года назад +3

    I have never been to Death Valley Junction from the south. Miss the community that way. Never knew there was a large motel and Opera house. Thank you Russ.

  • @larryclark5355
    @larryclark5355 3 года назад +6

    The aerial view of Death Valley Junction looked like an old airfield to one side. Halfway down the strip there was a concrete pad ,probably the office.

  • @lyndaphillips9064
    @lyndaphillips9064 3 года назад +5

    We stayed at The Pads when we visited last month. Easy camping.

  • @oldguyBMX
    @oldguyBMX 3 года назад +4

    I like how you said, the pictures the space shuttle send back! " maybe it is" 👍

  • @billrahn8723
    @billrahn8723 3 года назад +2

    Drove through the Amargosa in January 2021 was closed then too. Fabulous old motel. Stayed there a few years back.

  • @judym6648
    @judym6648 3 года назад +8

    Enjoy! Check out the RV free slabs before getting into the park!
    Downtown has totally been revamped. Us old timers do not care for it! We feel they took a lot of the old history away.

    • @YoSoyUu
      @YoSoyUu 3 года назад

      They did it in my city of St. Catharines too, long gone now sadly but what is left must be kept right

  • @ramontoro
    @ramontoro 3 года назад +6

    Hello Russ from your friends in Puerto Rico , Death Valley is in my wish list to visit, thanks for your videos

  • @christopherrasmussen8718
    @christopherrasmussen8718 3 года назад +2

    I was there 13 years ago. DV junction was busy. Went to the park, stayed at Furnace Creek. Was at the visitors center and an elderly German couple in a Class C RV wanted directions to skidoo and the ranger told them not to go. I had a near new Jeep and the ranger told them that's what they needed lol. I spent a few days out in the wilderness and had a good time.

  • @heathbobbihess8952
    @heathbobbihess8952 3 года назад +1

    Godbless you all today....

  • @hcrffi
    @hcrffi 3 года назад +3

    👍👍 I remember the days when it was Death Valley National Monument and had no entrance fees.

    • @rickdees251
      @rickdees251 3 года назад +1

      Me to! I also remember I slept in my car in the park one Saturday night.I drove out there alone from LA to see The Valley over one week end. There was a parking area in the monument where you paid for a spot I forget how much but it was an odd number under the $10 I left in the box for the spot I used. I slept with the doors locked and my windows cracked a bit. In the morning I found the ranger had collected the money and put my change through the drivers window and found it when I woke up. He didn't bother to wake me. I had spent the night before, Friday night shooting pool in a small bar with two tables, in Death Valley Jct. It was a memorable night, if you catch my drift!

  • @peacedove9513
    @peacedove9513 3 года назад +5

    Are we going to Scotty's Castle ???

  • @evelynlammel5680
    @evelynlammel5680 3 года назад +1

    It has been 60yrs since I went to Scotty's Castle. I am going to enjoy the adventure with you. Thanks for letting me ride shotgun from my recliner. Happy Trails / Be Safe

  • @VanLifeRocks
    @VanLifeRocks 3 года назад +15

    PERFECT timing Russ 👍🏼 I’m heading there in a couple weeks 👍🏼 the free camping sites is going to work out great I think 👍🏼 - Ray

  • @dennisfarquharson8114
    @dennisfarquharson8114 3 года назад +4

    Russ the ballerina girl she bought the opera house she was quite an artist there wasn’t a lot of people going there so she painted Audience I was there a few years ago kind of a little store coffee shop there there was a few people stayed at the motel kind of an interesting story about the opera house

  • @xstanadu
    @xstanadu 3 года назад +2

    Wonderful ! Thank you for sharing your journey with us ~ enjoying it all and makes me wanna take a road trip !!!!!!!!

  • @janblake9468
    @janblake9468 3 года назад +2

    "The Pads" was a mine workers camp.

  • @OffRampAdventures
    @OffRampAdventures 3 года назад +5

    You picked the perfect time of year weather-wise to camp near Death Valley! Awesome terrain!

  • @msdebagain1
    @msdebagain1 3 года назад +2

    what wonderful views from your drone!

  • @knife-wieldingspidergod5059
    @knife-wieldingspidergod5059 3 года назад

    I watched Martha danced in her Opera house in the early 90's. There used to be a tour bus that brought tourists from Furnace Creek to DVJ to to watch her Evening performances. She was a one woman ballet company in the small Opera house. DVJ was a windy, dark, and lonely place back then.

  • @stephbrandenburg9957
    @stephbrandenburg9957 3 года назад +6

    So fascinating that Opera house must have been all the rage way back when.

  • @earlbsizemore5158
    @earlbsizemore5158 3 года назад

    I lived there when I was about 10.. went to school in Death Valley... furnace Creek two rooms school.....in the 60 s

  • @HorrorRocks87
    @HorrorRocks87 3 года назад +1

    very pretty mountains and landscapes

  • @jaysonschor
    @jaysonschor 3 года назад +2

    DVJ is on a reservation not quite into DVNP. There's huge history with the amargosa hotel and especially the opera house. I was lucky enough to meet the current caretakers. You would be in awe if you saw the inside of the opera house. Look it up you won't be disappointed. There's also history across the street.

  • @dennisfarquharson8114
    @dennisfarquharson8114 3 года назад +3

    It was like company camp town for a minute they had their own sewer treatment plant and water I did some research on remind borax

  • @66tboyd
    @66tboyd 3 года назад +1

    Always enjoy seeing your road trip videos.

  • @garry1214
    @garry1214 3 года назад

    We were there in July 2019, turned there onto State Line Road and went to Pahrump. We were coming from Furnace Creek. thanks for taking us along.

  • @snephtar
    @snephtar 3 года назад

    Great voice. Easy to listen to. Excellent video. Appreciate the maps and detailed descriptions.

  • @rexruggless9671
    @rexruggless9671 3 года назад

    the slabs were for trailers that miners lived in that worked the ryan mine

  • @adeand4310
    @adeand4310 3 года назад +2

    You know where id like to go next,

  • @TheDionysius57
    @TheDionysius57 3 года назад +3

    Wonderful travel vlog as usual...take care!

  • @lindahoudek9855
    @lindahoudek9855 3 года назад

    Can't beat free camping that close to a major park. Great desert views, exploring small towns keep it up. Thanks Russ. Can't wait until next video.

  • @Meant2BeRVing
    @Meant2BeRVing 3 года назад +1

    Thanks for letting us know about this campsite. I now have it pinned on my map. We will be visiting Death Valley in the next week or two.

  • @geraldhenrickson7472
    @geraldhenrickson7472 3 года назад +3

    I never knew Death Valley Junction is over 2000 feet higher in elevation than furnace creek. i thought the entire area was below sea level. I never stop learning.

    • @rickdees251
      @rickdees251 3 года назад +1

      Death Valley Jct is outside the park. From every road entrance it's down hill into the valley.

  • @thefatcatadventures3707
    @thefatcatadventures3707 3 года назад +1

    You drove right by the Shoshone marijuana farm and didn't say a word! Lol. On another note, Marta from the opera house died a few years ago. The hotel has been mostly unused since. There's still a few staff that feed and water the wild horses.

  • @MySORRELL
    @MySORRELL 3 года назад +2

    THANKS

  • @cathybutler4532
    @cathybutler4532 3 года назад

    I stayed in that free campsite near Death Valley about a month ago. It was perfect! Even had parking pads. Looked like at one time they had bathrooms there. Was a nice place to camp out. Probably wouldn't be able to find a spot there in the spring or summer.

  • @FreedomIsntFree2023
    @FreedomIsntFree2023 3 года назад

    Thanks for the preview....we're headed there in 2 weeks!!!

  • @gerryhartung736
    @gerryhartung736 3 года назад +1

    Marla, my bad. Marla and husband owned old opera and motor lodge. My wife, from Fr. Was also a ballet student. We spent a lot of time there, while the women talked of dance.

  • @glamperjan
    @glamperjan 3 года назад +1

    Love this series on Death Valley!

  • @hannahsummer259
    @hannahsummer259 3 года назад +1

    Thanks. Russ. Very. Nice. And. Another. Fine. Job. Take. Care. Be. Safe. From. Oregon

  • @sharonsinatra3034
    @sharonsinatra3034 3 года назад

    Longstreet Inn & Casino has a great RV park full hookups great restaurant, small convenience store, laundry, showers, propane
    nice place to walk your dogs too,
    Even a petting zoo. 👍

  • @garymann5998
    @garymann5998 3 года назад

    Interesting video, I like it when you put the maps up showing where you are traveling, stay safe

  • @ronr479
    @ronr479 3 года назад +1

    Hey there Russ! I've been watching your channel for a while, you are doing a great job of show a lot of interesting places. Your commentaries are fantastic, but, one thing I wish you could do is to read the various "storyboards" in their intirety. It's great that you show them in your videos, and that you give a "brief" summary of what they say, but it is very difficult reading the information on them. I think the complete verbalization of the storyboards" would be beneficial to you viewers! Just a thought. 🤔 Keep up the great work... Helping out people that aren't able to travel about!!! Stay safe and healthy 🌝

  • @seriousearthling
    @seriousearthling 3 года назад +2

    My window to the real world when trapped in a CA old ppl home world. We can survive - if given the chance.

  • @BobtheTraveler-WD8NVN
    @BobtheTraveler-WD8NVN 3 года назад +3

    Hreat Video, Russ !! I was there two years ago !!

  • @rebeccasteckelberg9758
    @rebeccasteckelberg9758 3 года назад +4

    Died 2017 Marta Becket at 97 years old movie of her

  • @libmathis1007
    @libmathis1007 3 года назад

    Great video..been waiting on this one..thanks for letting me travel with you......

  • @gregprince2523
    @gregprince2523 3 года назад

    Excellent Russ!! have fun stay safe

  • @Mikheno
    @Mikheno 3 года назад

    Can't count the times I've been through DVJ, Shoshone, Tecopa, Amargosa Valley, Beatty, etc. Love that whole area and Death Valley Nat'l Park of course.

  • @MrBoondocker247
    @MrBoondocker247 3 года назад +5

    That free campground you were just at looks a lot like a world war II desert warfare training center. Similar to camp Dunlop AKA Slab City. What got me thinking that was the manhole covers in the paved road

    • @gregdoyle4602
      @gregdoyle4602 3 года назад +4

      It was housing/trailer sites for the local miners.

  • @warmfluffysocks1404
    @warmfluffysocks1404 3 года назад

    Nice informational tidbits on that area. 👍👍👍

  • @kimberlyshalaby1134
    @kimberlyshalaby1134 3 года назад

    🙋‍♀️I started Ballet @ 3 years old. I loved it! I'd like to hear more about the ballerina's life.

  • @boondocksteveo1586
    @boondocksteveo1586 3 года назад

    Nice video russ, thank you for the ride along it's been a few years since I've been there but it looks the same very nice.

  • @patriciakirschman5952
    @patriciakirschman5952 3 года назад +2

    My sister lives in Furnace Creek. She took us to that hotel. Said it's reported to be haunted.

  • @shibui99
    @shibui99 3 года назад +2

    Happy March 2021 Russ, I have a question for you. I know you told us in one of your videos what brand of drone you use; however, I can't find it....could you help me? My rv'ing adult son's b-day is next week & I would like to get him the type you have since you take such excellent views of surrounding areas that you visit! Thank you, shibui99

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  3 года назад

      DJI Mavic pro 2

    • @shibui99
      @shibui99 3 года назад

      THANK YOU!!!!

  • @annettehambler-pruden6682
    @annettehambler-pruden6682 3 года назад +1

    IS SCOTTY'S CASTLE STILL OPEN? WE FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING WHEN WE TOOK A TOUR THROUGH IT A FEW YEARS AGO. SOME REAL HISTORY THERE TOO

    • @GSGS-1950
      @GSGS-1950 3 года назад +2

      It was damaged in a flood a few years ago and I believe it has not yet been fully restored and reopened.

    • @judym6648
      @judym6648 3 года назад +1

      Scottys Castle had a years worth of rain within 5 hours in 2015..Rain also fell on the Grapevine Canyon walls and also caused a flash flood. Unlikely to open until at least 2022.

  • @patbeling4086
    @patbeling4086 3 года назад +1

    Love your videos!

  • @jesscarey7666
    @jesscarey7666 3 года назад +3

    Howdy Russ!

  • @paulwood7798
    @paulwood7798 3 года назад

    The Supposed Mars pictures Russ were taken in Greenland . There was a great vid on here where these people matched up quite a few of them and photoshopped the sky to look like the Mars pictures sky. The vid was removed but not before thousands had downloaded it.

  • @soapcakes
    @soapcakes 3 года назад +1

    Thanks for the tip.

  • @davidboultinghouse3332
    @davidboultinghouse3332 3 года назад

    👍I have not been to Death Valley since I was a kid

  • @BlueSky-ff4oy
    @BlueSky-ff4oy 2 года назад

    Great video. Thanks.

  • @Barley150
    @Barley150 3 года назад +1

    Do you remember how you got there from Sacramento? Bakersfield and Baker, or what?

  • @rickmitchell7835
    @rickmitchell7835 3 года назад

    Be sure to drop by the dispensary!

  • @thomascampbell1267
    @thomascampbell1267 3 года назад +1

    great video Thanks

  • @stephenbrown3763
    @stephenbrown3763 3 года назад

    Hey Russ!!! Very "Nice" views!! Be Safe!!!

  • @robinscarborough8272
    @robinscarborough8272 3 года назад +2

    Hello Russ from Lebanon Missouri

  • @AmericanWanderers
    @AmericanWanderers 3 года назад +1

    For a few minutes you had me thinking you found a new boondocking spot near DVNP, but that one is called the Pads for obvious reasons. No one seems to know what it was but the two theorys are an old RV or Mobile home park, and the other is an abandoned industrial site of some sort. That one was supposedly from a local resident.
    Not exactly a secret but not all that well known either.
    I saw another vlogger who camped inside the park in some canyons off 178 I think. Off road camping is allow inside the park in certain areas.
    You are the third or fourth vlogger that I've seen walking around that Amargosa hotel.

    • @AmericanWanderers
      @AmericanWanderers 3 года назад

      BTW do no confuse this with Slab City down by the Salton Sea

    • @dennisfarquharson8114
      @dennisfarquharson8114 3 года назад

      It was a mineing town of mobile homes and were mining borax that’s what I could find out about it it had its own sewer and water system I am propanePlum to all the houses as far as I could tell from what I read about it was the main big slab was an office and small store

    • @AmericanWanderers
      @AmericanWanderers 3 года назад

      I don't think I'd like living in your average mobile home during DV summer. @@dennisfarquharson8114

    • @001desertrat6
      @001desertrat6 2 года назад

      @@dennisfarquharson8114 -- That's American Borate Company's Valley Crest Mobile Home Park , for employees working at the Billie Mine ( large steel Headframe along Dante's View road ) . The big slab by the entryway was the Park's Community Building , Laundromat , Pay Phone , Swimming Pool , and two Tennis Courts . --- I lived there in the Mobile Home Park from 1979 to mid - 1986 while I worked at the Billie Mine --- I was a Union Certified Top Millwright , Senior Underground Mine Maintenance Mechanic , Certified Welder - Fabricator , Top Miner , Licensed Blaster , Heavy Equipment Operator , Firefighter , Search and Rescue Technician , and the ONLY Medical Doctor / Coroner working Underground . --- < Doc , Retired , Miner for over 50 years > .

  • @henrywardell4635
    @henrywardell4635 3 года назад

    We Love RVerTV - Grand Videos - Grand Music - Grand Journey - United States America. Great Video ; Great Views. Russ Too Cool 4 School. Happy Trails - United States America - Russ - RVerTV Fans. Viya Con Dios Amigos - RVerTV Best TV On RUclips.

  • @davidbrothers2765
    @davidbrothers2765 3 года назад

    Hey they make those bus type rvs near me in Elkhart, indiana

  • @SoonerGirlTravels
    @SoonerGirlTravels 3 года назад

    Nice adventure.

  • @petepeterson4540
    @petepeterson4540 3 года назад +12

    sorry cpac took priority I was late

  • @TerraFirmaX
    @TerraFirmaX 3 года назад

    Awesome trek

  • @thomaspepper2201
    @thomaspepper2201 3 года назад

    ""Hwy 190 name ""is the lowest elevation there 190 below sea level. You just passed the Tribal Pot Grow and Store at the intersection on your right. Forgot that, all run with gen sets.

  • @Cutlass_Rudd
    @Cutlass_Rudd 3 года назад

    The death valley name came from the 49'ers wagon train crew, many of them died and a few hung on and got rescued. On their way out one of them said "so long death valley" and the name stuck. If interested look up the video "Man Sneaks In & Survives A WEEK Inside Area 51: His Story Is UNBELIEVABLE! Area 51 Documentary".

  • @keithkratzke1202
    @keithkratzke1202 3 года назад +1

    Are you hooked up to wi-fi or satellite?

  • @rjr-yp9uj
    @rjr-yp9uj 3 года назад +4

    I see where a swimming pool was once.

  • @MaryB-ps8lg
    @MaryB-ps8lg 3 года назад

    Hi Russ. Great video as usual. Have you ever been to Slab City? I had some friends from Ohio who van camped across the country and stopped there for awhile. They said it was an interesting place.

  • @peacedove9513
    @peacedove9513 3 года назад

    Russ,PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ITS A FULL MOON TAKE A RIDE WITH A DESERT MOON..then play dessert Moon bye Dennis Deyong

  • @marianfrances4959
    @marianfrances4959 3 года назад +1

    Wild! 👍😉🇨🇦

  • @guyorvis6599
    @guyorvis6599 3 года назад +1

    Is there cell service out there?

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  3 года назад +1

      not much when you get into the Valley

  • @calvinlokinferhobbs2249
    @calvinlokinferhobbs2249 3 года назад

    Great video myFriend! Is there cell service in the dispersed camping area?

  • @jeanne4771
    @jeanne4771 3 года назад +1

    Oh wow she did pass. Did it say when she died?

    • @judym6648
      @judym6648 3 года назад +1

      She died 2017 at 97yrs old.

  • @roxstorm2227
    @roxstorm2227 3 года назад

    Where's the outhouse?

  • @dennisfarquharson8114
    @dennisfarquharson8114 3 года назад +1

    They call a campsite the pads stayed there for about a week