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Shoshone, California, is a small town of about 20 people located near Death Valley National Park. To the north is Death Valley Junction and to the south is Baker.
Introduction to Shoshone
Shoshone was originally a stop on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad. It was founded in 1910 as a mining town, but it’s better known today as the southern gateway to Death Valley National Park. The town provides the last services before the Furnace Creek area of the park. If you’re passing through and need gas, just know you’ll pay a much higher price there. If you’re looking for something to eat, there’s the Crowbar Cafe and Saloon. You can also use the town as a base for visiting Death Valley National Park by staying at the Shoshone Inn or the campground.
Shoshone Museum
There isn’t much to do in town, but the small Shoshone Museum doubles as a gift shop and visitor center. Admission is free but a small donation is suggested (as of August 2024). It’s open daily from 9am to 3pm. We arrived just as the museum was closing, but the attendant on duty let us walk around for a few minutes.
Outside, you can see a rusted antique car as well as antique gas pumps. There’s old mining equipment displayed in the yard next to the building.
Inside the museum, you’ll find photos and artifacts about the history of the town. Mammoth bones discovered in the area are also on display.
