attractions

Dumont Sand Dunes

The Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area, also referred to as an Open Area, is an exciting and remote area for off-highway vehicle recreation. Bordered by steep volcanic hills and the slow running Amargosa River, the region is easily recognized from a distance by its distinctive sand dunes. The elevation here varies from 700 feet, at the river, to 1200 feet at the top of Competition Hill, the tallest of the dunes.

The historic Tonapah and Tidewater Railroad, to the east, was in operation between 1905 and 1940. The vegetation here consists of creosote scrub, some annual grasses, and wildflowers in the spring. The low elevation in the area makes for warm to extremely hot conditions in spring and summer. Early spring wildflower displays in this vicinity can be quite impressive.

Tecopa Hot Springs

The Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools is located about an hour and a half southwest of Las Vegas in the California desert near Shoshone, CA. The campground has over 200 sites – over half of which have electrical hook ups. Long a favorite wintering spot for snowbirds, Tecopa is a popular destination at any time of the year. Rock hounds will enjoy looking for amethysts, opals and petrified wood in the nearby area.

The springs themselves feed into two pool houses that are open for extended hours throughout the year. The waters at Tecopa are famous world wide for their restorative powers.

There is a small convenience and gift store also located on the site. Restaurants and other services are available in nearby Shoshone.

Scotty’s Castle

Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty’s Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring ’20s and Depression ’30s. It was and is an engineer’s dream home, a wealthy matron’s vacation home and a man-of-mystery’s hideout and getaway.

Walter Scott, Death Valley Scotty, convinced everyone that he had built the castle with money from his rich secret mines in the area. Albert Mussey Johnson actually built the house as a vacation getaway for himself and his wife Bessie. Scotty was the mystery, the cowboy, and the entertainer, but he was also a friend. Albert was the brains and the money. Two men as different as night and day, from different worlds and with different visions – who shared a dream.

Scotty’s Castle the fantasy house and Scotty’s Castle the story are available every day. Take a living history tour and step back into 1939.

Rhyolite

Her birth was brought about by

Shorty Harris

and E. L. Cross, who were prospecting in the area in 1904. They found quartz all over a hill, and as Shorty describes it “… the quartz was just full of free gold… it was the original bullfrog rock… this banner is a crackerjack” declared Shorty! “The district is going to be the banner camp of Nevada. I say so once and I’ll say it again.” At that time there was only one other person in the whole area: Old Man Beatty who lived in a ranch with his family five miles away. Soon the rush was on and several camps were set up including Bullfrog, the Amargosa and a settlement between them called Jumpertown. A townsite was laid out nearby and given the name Rhyolite from the silica-rich volcanic rock in the area.

There were over 2000 claims covering everything in a 30 mile area from the Bullfrog district. The most promising was the Montgomery Shoshone mine, which prompted everyone to move to the Rhyolite townsite. The town immediately boomed with buildings springing up everywhere. One building was 3 stories tall and cost $90,000 to build. A stock exchange and Board of Trade were formed. The red light district drew women from as far away as San Francisco. There were hotels, stores, a school for 250 children, an ice plant, two electric plants, foundries and machine shops and even a miner’s union hospital.

The town citizens had an active social life including baseball games, dances, basket socials, whist parties, tennis, a symphony, Sunday school picnics, basketball games, Saturday night variety shows at the opera house and pool tournaments. In 1906 Countess Morajeski opened the Alaska Glacier Ice Cream Parlor to the delight of the local citizenry. That same year an enterprising miner, Tom T. Kelly, built a Bottle House out of 50,000 beer and liquor bottles.

In April 1907 electricity came to Rhyolite, and by August of that year a mill had been constructed to handle 300 tons of ore a day at the Montgomery Shoshone mine. It consisted of a crusher, 3 giant rollers, over a dozen cyanide tanks and a reduction furnace. The Montgomery Shoshone mine had become nationally known because Bob Montgomery once boasted he could take $10,000 a day in ore from the mine. It was later owned by Charles Schwab, who purchased it in 1906 for a reported 2 to 6 million dollars.

The financial panic of 1907 took its toll on Rhyolite and was seen as the beginning of the end for the town. In the next few years mines started closing and banks failed. Newspapers went out of business, and by 1910 the production at the mill had slowed to $246,661 and there were only 611 residents in the town. On March 14, 1911 the directors voted to close down the Montgomery Shoshone mine and mill. In 1916 the light and power were finally turned off in the town.

Pahrump Valley Winery

The locals figured someone was either crazy or brilliant, creating a winery here in the Mojave Desert. Their verdict: brilliant. But you can decide for yourself. First, sip the award-winning wines in the tasting room and take a guided tour.

All the award winning wines are available for purchase in the gift shop. They will personalize the wine label with your personal message. A great gift idea! Stroll along the walking paths and stop for a picnic, or just take in the stunning scenery and fresh air. Celebrate your special occasion in our rose garden gazebo with the Spring Mountains as your backdrop. Finally, dine in the upscale restaurant Symphony’s, offering fine food beautifully served in an atmosphere of quiet elegance at reasonable prices. Stay for the Grape Stomp, concerts, and dancing under the stars. Stay long enough in this warm, serene, elegant world, and the answer will linger long after you have forgotten the question. Brilliant!

Mesquite Sand Dunes

These dunes are the best known and easiest to visit in the national park. Located in central Death Valley near Stovepipe Wells, access is from Hwy. 190 or from the unpaved Sand Dunes Road. Although the highest dune rises only about 100 feet, the dunes actually cover a vast area. This dune field includes three types of dunes: crescent, linear, and star shaped. Polygon- cracked clay of an ancient lakebed forms the floor. Mesquite trees have created large hummocks that provide stable habitats for wildlife.

Lake View Executive Golf Course

Lake View Executive Golf Course has been voted the best “Executive or Midsize Course in Nevada”. With lush fairways, fast greens, five par 4’s and thirteen par 3’s it’s a great challenge. This is a super course for those who like to walk and enjoy nature. The mountain views are spectacular and the course is very playable for all golfers. Pahrump Golf has never been better.

Great golf and terrific service – a proven winning combination found at Lake View Executive Golf Course since our opening in 1979. The layout offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. It is one of Nevada’s most accessible courses.

Public golfers can discover why club members are already so comfortable here. Our casual atmosphere clubhouse and pro shop invites you to put down your golf clubs and enjoy a pre game refreshment or an after game consolation refreshment.

Mountain Falls Golf Club

Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of picturesque mountain ranges, wide open spaces and the lush rolling hills of one of Southern Nevada’s hidden treasures – Mountain Falls Golf Club.

Course yardages range from 5,415 to 7,082 yards, making this golf course attractive to any and all skill levels. The superior course conditioning and consistent playing surfaces provide for a great golfing experience with exceptional year round play.

After your round be sure to stop by the well-appointed Grill Room and enjoy one of our delicious menu items.

Both the Mountain Falls Golf Club and the Grill Room are open to the public so share the good times with all your friends. Please visit our website for additional course and Grill Room details and to schedule your tee time online.

China Date Ranch

When traveling through the Death Valley area consider visiting beautiful China Ranch, near Tecopa California. China Ranch is a family owned and operated small farm, a lush piece of greenery amidst the forbidding Mojave Desert near Southern Death Valley. Imagine towering cottonwoods and willows by a wandering stream, date palms and abundant wildlife, all hidden away in some of the most spectacular scenery the desert has to offer.

The Ranch is also rich in history. The Old Spanish Trail is within walking distance, as is the historic Tonopah & Tidewater railroad bed. Hike to nearby abandoned mines if you wish, or just relax and browse through their store.

They offer several varieties of California dates as well as their own hybrids. Try some delicious date nut bread, muffins or cookies, or take home one of their unique hand-crafted gifts.

If you are interested in learning more about the wildlife, plants or history of the area, try one of their interpretive guided nature walks. Learn about the geology, botany, birds, and early man in the area. The Old Spanish Trail comes alive again and much more. Visiting China Ranch can be a wonderful one day adventure or highlight of any trip to Death Valley.