UTTransplant
Well-known member
A few days ago I received an announcement from the Death Valley 49ers that Sunset Campground, the big gravel parking lot with room for hundreds of units, will not be opening on time this year. Due to an HR reading from executive NPS staff, their seasonal hiring plans were thrown out and must be restarted. At this point, Sunset will be open on noon Friday, November 3 until noon on Monday, November 13th because the park has a MOA with the 49ers for their encampment. Texas Spring and Mesquite campgrounds won't open at all until the hiring situation is resolved. The NPS campgrounds at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe are open because they are considered required for safety and health issues. I don't know about the concessionaire campgrounds at either location, but I assume they are open. This really is a big deal. This is in addition to the headaches resulting from the concessionaire tearing down and rebuilding pretty much all of the Furnace Creek area. Much of that area (now know as The Oasis at Death Valley) is closed. Before anyone heads to DVNP his season, be sure to check the park's website for updated information.