Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the crossroads of town, this classic serves up Jaeger shots, a few American beers on
tap, a country-western-heavy jukebox, and locals to mingle with. Every last bit of wall
and ceiling space is covered with signed dollar bills. Look for billiards, darts, slot ma-
chines and decent pub grub. Downside: main bar is smoky.
Shoshone
Just a blip on the desert map, Shoshone (population 30) is 55 miles from Furnace Creek
via Death Valley Junction, though most folks follow the 20-mile-longer, but more scenic,
Hwy 178 through Badwater Basin instead. It has a gas station, store, lodging and free pub-
lic wi-fi access.
Look for a rusted old Chevy parked outside the
Shoshone Museum
(admission by dona-
tion; 9am-3pm)
, which houses quirky and well-meaning exhibits as well the local
visit-
shoshone-inn
; Hwy 127; d $94-102, cabins $113; )
has updated cabins and a dozen basic
rooms set around a pine-shaded courtyard, all with satellite TV, that were getting a spru-
cing up during our visit. Some have a refrigerator and microwave. Bonus: small, warm-
springs pool.
Shoshone RV Park
(
760-852-4569; RV site with full hookup $25)
is just north
of town.
shoshone-crowbar-cafe-saloon
; Hwy 127; mains $6-25; 8am-9:30pm)
, a 1920 road house next
to the visitors center. It continues to charm with Mexican dishes with cactus salsa and all-
American burgers, sandwiches, steaks and 'rattlesnake' chili (sorry, no actual rattlesnake in
it).
Tecopa
Some 8 miles south of Shoshone, the old mining town of Tecopa (population 150) was
named after a peace-making Paiute chief and is home to some wonderfully soothing, hot
natural mineral springs.
