Death Valley - charging?

[CGriding]

Has any one done a trip to Death Valley recently? An older thread recommended destination chargers at the Ranch in Furnace Creek but those aren’t showing up in the Rivian app. It does show up on plug share and Tesla apps so o was wondering if anyone has actually used these recently.

Any other tips for Death Valley appreciated. We’d be coming from the sf Bay Area

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[Singletracker]

I‘ve been to DV a number of times. I usually go in late February - beat the heat. On those trips I had my trusty FJ with an RTT. I really enjoyed exploring, heading up into the canyons and camping remotely. Since getting my R1T, DV has become a bit of a logistical challenge. I come down 395 from the north and the closest DCFC‘s, when coming down 395 are in Lone PIne (Tesla) or Olancha (Rivian). Both of these are 100-120 miles or so from Furnace Creek Figuring a round trip of about 230 +/- miles from those chargers, doesn’t leave much juice for exploring. I’ll also add that there is a significant amount of very steep climbing as you head towards DV, traversing over a couple of mountain ranges. And, if you do much off roading, this could have a serious affect on total range. If you make it into DV, the only other option is a RAN charger in Shoshone, out the southeast end of the Valley. It’s not too far away and there are some good camping locations down towards that south end of the Valley. I don’t know about the current availability of those marginal chargers in Furnace Creek, or what real use they would be.

So, if you have an RTT on your rig, it’s a great place to visit. I may give it a go this next year with my R1T. It does seem a little sketchy, however. They really need a DCFC in Furnace Creek.

 

[BillArnett]

The Inn at Death Valley (nee Furnace Creek Inn) has a couple of Tesla level 2 chargers. But the Plugshare comments aren't very encouraging.

 

[IdaX]

The Inn at Death Valley (nee Furnace Creek Inn) has a couple of Tesla level 2 chargers. But the Plugshare comments aren't very encouraging.

They're okay, if you can get one nearest the ice cream store. They get progressively lower wattage the further that you get south. Connectivity can be a problem to start the charging, too.

 

[Birdowin]

There are 6 free level 2 chargers at Furnace Creek. When we were there 4 of the 6 were out of order. There was a line of teslas waiting on the weekend for the 2 working chargers. We went in with a full charge so we were able to wait until after the weekend. We were staying at the nearby campground so I was able to plug in before bed and walk back to the campground. Let it go all night since there was no overtime charges. Prior to going we called Furnace creek Inn to ask about the chargers and they were clueless as to the status of the chargers. No one else seemed to know either. I think they were charge point but not certain.

 

[BigSkies]

I did a trip through Death Valley last Christmas.

We came in through the east side, so we charged heavily at the RAN in Shoshone, and used the RAN in Inyokern on the way out.

You could also look at the RAN in Olancha, as that's geographically closer to the entrance, although slightly out of the way. This was part of my backup plan if range was feeling tight.

I didn't try the destination chargers in Furnace Creek, as I didn't feel I needed them.

Our itinerary included Badwater Basin, Artist's Palette, Zabriskie Point, and a short stop in Furnace Creek.

I forget the details, but I want to say we charged to ~95% before entering the park, and got to Ridgecrest with ~20% remaining (large battery, 21" tires, quad). You can absolutely get through the park on a single charge. But you could also get in trouble if you're trying to do too much.

 

[CGriding]

Thanks for the info. Planning to do a multi day trip and fingers crossed I can ise the destination chargers over night.

 

[Singletracker]

I will be very interested to hear how things turned out on your trip and what sort of exploring you do. I tend to get off road a lot, so that can really negatively impact efficiency. It was mentioned that the Furnace Creek might be Charge Point. Or, are they Teslas. To charge at the destination charger, I’m assuming one would need a special adaptor, if they are Teslas.

 

[jfoonly]

I'll add my recent experience. Charged to 99% at Shoshone, up 190, down Badwater, back to RAN at 13% of my max pack, or 121 kwh used. Some short side trips, biggest was Echo Canyon used 19.8 kwh up the 11 miles, 6.1 regen down of which 3.6 kwh went into the battery.

There are now 8 or 10 Tesla destination chargers at the Ranch but it wasn't worth dealing with that awful app, especially with no T-Mobile service. Perhaps one could plug in, then walk to the lobby and beg for WiFi to start the charge. Don't know if it would timeout though. Without a charge there, it just meant skipping a trip up to the cooler Paramint mtns. I was beat from the heat anyways and not up for anymore hiking even 20F cooler.

Here's a couple pix, plus I've 2 in the Random thread. Sunrise from Zabriskie and Manly Beacon:

 

[Time2Roll]

Has anyone stopped in Trona to use the CCS at TIS Gasoline and General store?
This is about 100 miles west of Furnace Creek.

I have seen this over the last couple years driving by with my gas truck and small 5th wheel.

Like to get the R1S out there early next year.

Furnace Creek campground does have some sites with 50 amp connection. First come first served through Oct 14 then reservations.

 

[Singletracker]

Here's a couple pix, plus I've 2 in the Random thread. Sunrise from Zabriskie and Manly Beacon:

You sure that’s the sun rising? The last time I was in DV I was remote camping above the south western part of the Valley. As it started to get dark, I saw the glow from what I thought was the moon peaking over the mountains to the east. As time went by, I kept waiting for the moon to make its appearance. It never did. Turns out the glow was from all the lights in Las Vegas.

 

[hayduke]

Has anyone stopped in Trona to use the CCS at TIS Gasoline and General store?
This is about 100 miles west of Furnace Creek

yup i’ve used it. they were reliable and fairly priced. there’s a general store and you can read about the closed power plant while you wait.

surprised no one mentioned the blink chargers at stovepipe wells. i’ve never used them because last i checked it was a minimum $20 fee. also theres rv sites at stovepipe wells. i camped there once a few years ago and got basically to 100% overnight so i was able to do plenty of exploring. that campsite also comes with access to the pool and there’s a bar / restaurant too.

 

[SLVRon]

Once the roads open up again, one idea is to stay in Beatty and run in and out of the park as needed each day. I've done that in the past. The furthest point in the park I'd want to get to from Beatty is Racetrack Playa, which is about 100 miles each way.

 

[Sempervirens]

We just did 3 days in DV. Happy to answer any questions.

G1 Quad Large Pack on 22"

Day zero - San Jose to Barstow, Lost Hills top up, Tesla destination charger. Rolled in at 1% which may have been playing with fire. My fault for going 80 all day.

Day one - Barstow to Shoshone to Furnace Creek to Shoshone (this required conserve) we left Shoshone at 70% and did Dantes and Badwater/Artists exiting via Ashford Junction. This worked but we landed at 3% and the wife wasn't thrilled with the stress. Waypoints in Shoshone is free here.

Day two - Furnace Creek to Ubehebe to Wildrose kiln to furnace creek. We used the janky Tesla Destination charger to 100%. note these are randomly broken and heavily trafficked, I don't mind waiting but when 130kw takes 14 hrs this can be challenging.

Day three - Furnace creek to Bakersfield with an unnecessary charge in Olancha. We left at 95% and felt comfortable all the way to Father Crowley's and beyond.

We continued on to Sequoia.

Other notes.
Shoshone is an odd place. Population 20. I highly recommend a stop at China Ranch Date Farm and the nearby DV Brewing/Kit Fox Pizza. Good people.

Stovepipe Wells has 2 L2 chargers behind the general store. Both are free, which is bizarre given Furnace is $0.62.

Furnace creek has 8 Tesla Destination chargers-
It is a true disservice to all EV drivers that there is no TSC or RAN at furnace creek. It's not due to lack of capacity. SCE + Xanaterra have built out 1MW here which is actually impressive.

Destination charging is a must, but there should be a 10-20 unit DCFC here. It's imperative as not to strand people. It would also encourage more EV access.

Is EV in DV a cakewalk in 2026, NO. But with some planning it works. Had we NOT stayed at furnace creek or too many evs been hogging limited chargers, Id have been less enthusiastic about my feelings one this.

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