I'm one of the volunteers who help put on this wonderful event in Death Valley each year. The 66th annual Death Valley '49ers Encampment will be held November 11-15 (with pre-Encampment activities, including evening music, hikes, and 4x4 tours) November 8-10. I got involved after my husband and I "accidentally" camped at Death Valley while this event was going on, and we had a great time.
If you enjoy historical programs, Chautauqua performances, films, gold panning, parades, wagon trains, poker or golf tournaments, and great western music in the evening this is a great time to visit Death Valley. The cost is only $25/family and the music on one night alone is worth it. Richard Elloyan will be this year's master of ceremonies and has been a featured performer at the Elko cowboy poetry gathering and the Colorado cowboy gathering. Returning this year is the Wild West Trio. This group earned the Will Rogers Award in 2011 from the Academy of Western Artists for Best Western Music Group of the Year.
It all takes place at the Furnace Creek Ranch. The Furnace Creek campground is probably reserved out at this point, but there will be plenty of room at the first come, first serve Sunset Campground, just across the street. Texas Springs Campground is also FCFS, but doesn't allow generators.
The event is very family friendly. Not a drinking, rowdy crowd at all. The '49ers are a nonprofit group that supports park projects, a scholarship fund, and other initiatives that preserve and promote Death Valley.
If you enjoy historical programs, Chautauqua performances, films, gold panning, parades, wagon trains, poker or golf tournaments, and great western music in the evening this is a great time to visit Death Valley. The cost is only $25/family and the music on one night alone is worth it. Richard Elloyan will be this year's master of ceremonies and has been a featured performer at the Elko cowboy poetry gathering and the Colorado cowboy gathering. Returning this year is the Wild West Trio. This group earned the Will Rogers Award in 2011 from the Academy of Western Artists for Best Western Music Group of the Year.
It all takes place at the Furnace Creek Ranch. The Furnace Creek campground is probably reserved out at this point, but there will be plenty of room at the first come, first serve Sunset Campground, just across the street. Texas Springs Campground is also FCFS, but doesn't allow generators.
The event is very family friendly. Not a drinking, rowdy crowd at all. The '49ers are a nonprofit group that supports park projects, a scholarship fund, and other initiatives that preserve and promote Death Valley.