A Desert Icon Blooms

Just beyond the Nevada-California border at Death Valley Junction, Highway 190 stretches west in a nearly pin-straight line. Flanked by low rocky slopes, scrub, and brush, the view unfolds, unchanging — until a bend at 30 miles in, when terra-cotta rooftops appear in the distance. Closer still, and palm groves appear, like a welcome mirage on a parched horizon. Welcome to The Oasis at Death Valley.

Surrounded by 3.4 million acres of protected desert, the resort is one of the few places to stay within the boundaries of Death Valley National Park — an outpost of comfort in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. And now, following a $200 million revitalization, this historic destination has been beautifully reimagined. From meticulously upgraded accommodations to vibrant new dining venues and expanded recreational offerings, The Oasis has truly entered an exciting new era — elevating the experience for first-time visitors and longtime guests alike.

As the largest national park in the lower 48 states, Death Valley is a landscape of extremes. Its salt flats, sand dunes, and volcanic rock formations evoke another planet entirely (NASA even tests Mars rovers here). When rain does come, it can spark a fleeting explosion of wildflowers before the desert returns to its otherworldly stillness.

The Oasis at Death Valley lies at the heart of this spectacle, and “Oasis” isn’t just a metaphor. The resort is a cradle of green in a stark landscape, built atop two natural mineral springs. This helps explain why the destination has long been a draw, from the borax mining boom of the late 1800s to 1927, when the 12-room Furnace Creek Inn first opened. As the property grew, so did its mystique, luring Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, and Carole Lombard, who came in search of solitude, sun, and cinematic scenery.

Today, the revitalized Oasis at Death Valley stands not just as a destination but as a vibrant gateway, magnetizing a diverse mix of visitors eager for everything from serene solitude to thrilling adventure, all set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Death Valley’s vast wilderness. Here’s a closer look at what’s new and what’s on the horizon.

Luxury RV Accommodations at Death Valley

Big news for road trippers: The Oasis at Death Valley is preparing to debut a brand-new luxury RV resort, the first of its kind within the park and the first luxury RV resort inside a national park. Set to break ground in late 2025 and welcome guests by mid-2026, the resort will offer 50 thoughtfully designed sites with full water, sewer, and electrical hookups.

Each site will feel like a private desert retreat, with shade structures, curated landscaping, and comfortable seating areas. Guests can expect upscale amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, pickleball courts, a dedicated dog park, shuffleboard, and a well-stocked camp store. Even more exceptional? RV visitors will enjoy access to all amenities at the resort, a rare offering in a region where most RV sites offer little more than a patch of gravel.

The Inn At Death Valley: Heritage Luxury With a Surreal Backdrop

The Four-Diamond, AAA-rated haven, Inn at Death Valley remains a desert icon, a nearly century-old hideaway where Mission-style architecture meets peak luxury.

Now, after a sweeping transformation, The Inn has been meticulously reimagined, elevating every aspect of the guest experience to unprecedented heights. Every corner—from its 66 guest rooms to the lobby and historic dining room—has been refreshed with care while preserving its storied heritage. Designers looked to the property’s original 1920s architectural drawings for guidance, restoring key details to honor its legacy.

Some of the most exciting additions are the 22 luxurious private casitas that offer guests even more seclusion, each outfitted with a living room, wet bar, and personal golf cart for exploring the grounds in style.

Just steps away, the hotel’s legendary palm-lined, spring-fed swimming pool retains its signature stonework and arches, while new cabanas, wellness spa, and pool bar enrich the experience. Thanks to the natural heating properties of the underground spring, the water here is always a toasty 87 degrees Fahrenheit, ever-refreshing and infused with natural minerals, an icon in its own right.

The Ranch at Death Valley: A Family-Friendly Gateway to Adventure

A few minutes up the road is The Ranch at Death Valley, The Inn’s family-friendly, adventure-focused counterpart. Channeling a refreshed midcentury vibe, its 275 guest rooms sit next to The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley, with easy access to the property’s pool, sports courts, and playground.

As part of the revitalization, The Ranch received a range of upgrades, including 80 cozy cottages with private patios, plus an Old West-style Town Square, Town Hall and check-in area, general store, restaurant, saloon, and new tavern.

Honoring its working ranch roots, the property showcases Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and features stables offering horseback and carriage rides. The Borax Museum, a local treasure in Town Square, also reopened after a major renovation. With phase two underway, visitors can anticipate a wraparound deck, outdoor grill, and beer garden with live music and dancing.

The Ranch is also the center of activity at The Oasis. Rent 4×4 vehicles, road bikes, or e-bikes to explore the national park, or relax with tennis or pickleball on freshly resurfaced courts. For an easy unwind, grab a floatie and enjoy the refurbished spring-fed pool.

As part of its ongoing renaissance, The Oasis at Death Valley is expanding its appeal to groups, retreats, and corporate travelers with a striking new conference center on The Ranch’s grounds.

Slated for completion by the end of 2026, this facility will offer flexible event space — whether for executive retreats, weddings, wellness weekends, or sit-down dinner. The goal? To offer a premier destination for events for groups seeking something beyond the ordinary.

The meeting space is being designed with big glass walls, offering views of the mountains and the desert. It won’t be the typical conference room found at any big hotel.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Death Valley National Park—and paired with luxury accommodations, wellness offerings, outdoor adventures, and newly revitalized grounds—this distinctive new center promises truly memorable gatherings.

At 214 feet below sea level, the resort’s 18-hole, par-70 Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley holds a rare distinction: It’s the lowest-elevation golf course on Earth. It’s also one of the most challenging, earning a spot on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.” (Coyotes sometimes frolic along the sidelines — a convenient excuse for wayward shots.)

Thoughtful updates have enhanced the course’s sustainability and desert character. More than 15 acres of turf have been replaced with native and drought-tolerant plantings — a striking visual shift that conserves water while deepening the connection to the surrounding landscape. Still, thanks to a closed-loop irrigation system that recycles mineral spring water, the fairways remain soft and lush underfoot.

With eight distinct venues across The Inn and The Ranch, dining at The Oasis is as diverse as the landscape itself — from elegant chef-driven dinners to laid-back, family-friendly fare. And following the revitalization, the experience has never been more inviting.

At The Inn at Death Valley, the complete interior redesign brought new life to the lobby, bar, and the signature Inn Dining Room — now a sophisticated space where white linens, Western artwork, and panoramic views set the stage for standout dishes like Furnace Creek Filet Mignon or Vegetarian Pumpkin Enchiladas. A shaded terrace lets guests sip cocktails while overlooking the desert salt flats and Panamint Mountains.

Over at The Ranch, a newly constructed Town Square has reimagined the heart of the property, bringing a fresh look and lively energy in a Mission California architectural style that nods to its sister property, The Inn. The square includes dining options —including The Last Kind Words Saloon, The Ranch’s signature venue for food and entertainment. Inside, it channels the Old West with mounted taxidermy and a hearty menu of bison burgers, steaks, and ribs.

Families also flock to the 1950s-style Ice Cream Parlor for floats, sundaes, and burgers (including what many consider the best cheeseburger on the property). For a quicker bite, the 1849 Restaurant at The Ranch offers buffet-style meals, while the Wild Rose Tavern, next to the golf course, serves pub fare —think burgers, wraps, and beers on tap.

Tucked into The Inn grounds is the serene Wellness Sanctuary spa. Here, guests can recharge from the extremes of the desert environment, with treatments that pay tribute to the local landscape — desert-inspired salt scrubs, reflexology, hot stone massage, and aromatherapy, among others. Signature skin care options combine botanical ingredients from North American cacti with marine plankton extracts chosen for their hydrating properties. Beyond massage and skin care, the Wellness Sanctuary also hosts a rotating program of wellness activities, such as yoga, personal training, and sound baths.

The Oasis isn’t just a stunning destination, it’s a vibrant hub for unforgettable experiences all year round. This past May kicked off with a rejuvenating Wellness Weekend that invited guests to unwind and soak up Death Valley’s awe-inspiring beauty. Summer stargazing nights led by a Caltech scientist brought celestial wonder, and this fall will debut more events to celebrate the region’s local artists, chefs, and vintners.

But that’s just the beginning. Plans are underway for a lively country music festival in 2026 and a Star Wars-themed event on May 4 honoring Death Valley’s iconic role as the fictional desert planet Tatooine in the legendary 1977 film. A whiskey-tasting weekend could also be part of the lineup, in keeping with the Western theme and highlighting the area’s strong selection of local and regional distilleries.

Though these events are still in the early stages, they mark an exciting new chapter for The Oasis at Death Valley. The only thing standing between travelers and this freshly polished desert jewel is a reservation.

For more travel experiences available from Xanterra Travel Collection® and its affiliated properties, visit Xanterra.com/stories.

Written by Kirsten Rodinhizer