Adventures in Shoshone, CA

Situated just south of Death Valley National Park in the Mojave Desert, the area now known as Shoshone, CA has been calling to travelers for hundreds of years. The desert oasis found here has drawn many to its predictable water source. From generations of Native Americans known as the Southern Paiute to the first European explorers, followed by early Mormons, then miners and railroad men, the location yielded a dependable respite from its foreboding yet beautiful desert surroundings. With Shoshone’s natural warm springs averaging 90 degrees, the pleasant water offered a cool retreat from the desert’s typically hot days and relaxing warmth during its cold nights.

Today’s traveler can enjoy the same benefits from the swimming pool at Shoshone RV Park. Twice daily the pool’s water completely turns over with the flow into and out of the pool from its natural spring water source. If that were not relaxation enough, one can then sit around a communal fire at the park and gaze at the stars like the settlers of the 1920 and 30’s reminiscing about the day’s adventures in the surrounding area.

Each day can be a new exploration with the variety of interesting scenery to investigate here. Just a five-minute walk from the park, one can view the delicate blue hue of the male Shoshone pupfish in small, warm water pools emanating from the outflow of Shoshone Springs. With their DNA traced to prehistoric, Ice Age ancestors, these pupfish are not found any place else in the world! Here too, one might achieve a glimpse of the endangered Amargosa vole. This small mouse-like rodent lives in bulrush marshes fed year round by the springs. Visit the Amargosa Conservancy in town-a museum where today’s traveler can learn more about these tiny creatures. Save some time for walking amid Shoshone’s 1000-acre private nature preserve along five bird trails attracting dragonflies, butterflies and over twenty varieties of birds during the year.

Visit the 105-year old town of Shoshone and walk through the Shoshone Museum to see artifacts and photographs of the people that started the town with Ralph J. “Dad” Fairbanks in 1910. Joined by Stella and Charlie Brown, the town prospered with the help of the traditionally friendly Native American Paiute’s, whose unusually abundant agricultural success here resulted in mutually beneficial trade with the new residents. Miners came drawn by resources provided by two billion years of geological events in the region. Then the town became a stop on the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad until the railroad shut down in 1940. Have a cup of coffee in the Crowbar Café and Saloon. Stroll through the Charlie Brown General Store and don’t miss its array of gift and souvenir items. Mail a postcard at the Post Office in business since 1915.

Make a day trip to a portion of nearby Death Valley National Park. Leave early to see the sun rise over the lowest point in North America at Badwater. Continue further north to find Natural Bridge-a rock formation where erosion created a span across canyon walls. Then follow a nine-mile route along Artist’s Drive to catch an afternoon view of Artist’s Palette where minerals in the rocks create a striking array of colors.

You will want to bring a camera on all of these outings. And beware of the heartstrings the desert may leave you with to draw you back to Shoshone over and over again.