Date: June 22, 2026

The Death Valley ‘49ers Annual Encampment is Scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2026 at Stovepipe Wells.

The Board of Directors of the Death Valley ‘49ers is pleased to announce that the dates for the 2026 Encampment have been finalized, and that the event will be held at Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park, California, from October 29 through November 1st, 2026.
The 2026 Encampment is also planned in conjunction with the Stovepipe Wells 100-year anniversary, and will be a celebration of our shared appreciation for the park and all of its natural wonders.

As part of this celebration, the Death Valley ‘49ers are preparing a schedule that will include live music, guest speakers (on the park and its geology and history), a veterans’ tribute, open-mic opportunities for budding musicians and poets, stargazing, vendors, and a short, non-denominational worship service on Sunday morning.

Our scheduled musicians are from the International Western Music Association (IWMA), and include Scott Tonelson (Scott T), Greg Khoughaz, Earnie Neagle and Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott. Featured speakers include Geologist Brandon Griffiths, Authors Deb Fox, Ted Faye, Stan Paher and Robin Filchum; as well as a presentation by Mark Hall-Patton and Ted Faye. Cowboy Poet Tony Argento will serve as MC.
Visitors can try their hand at gold panning, play cornhole or explore some of the natural wonders that abound in Death Valley National Park. Several of these wonders, including Mosaic Canyon and the sand dunes, lie within a few minutes’ drive of Stovepipe Wells and are easily accessible. There is something for everyone, and the event is designed to be family friendly.

Stovepipe Wells has rooms available for rent, and the Stovepipe Wells Campground (managed by Death Valley National Park), sits just across the highway. Other hotel options include the Oasis at Death Valley in Furnace Creek and the Panamint Springs Resort. The closest towns to Stovepipe Wells are Lone Pine CA, Ridgecrest CA, Shoshone CA, Beatty NV, and Pahrump NV, all of which range from about one hour to one and a half hours away from Stovepipe Wells.

A yearly membership to the Death Valley ‘49ers will include all Encampment activities. Membership fees are $100.00 for a Single and $125 Family (2 adults + children under 18 years).

The Death Valley ’49ers is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to expand public awareness of Death Valley. It also supports a scholarship fund for high school students in the Death Valley area. The organization has no headquarters office, equipment, vehicles, paid staff or employees, and has been holding Encampments in Death Valley since 1949. The 2026 Death Valley ‘49ers Encampment is funded in part by a grant from Inyo County.

For more information about the Death Valley ‘49ers, or the 2026 Encampment, please see the website at: https://www.deathvalley49ers.org.