On the last trip, we noted a bit of new signage on the road from SPW airport out to Cottonwood.   First, there were signs about no camping for the first 7 miles - and the road is about 7.8 miles to the big flat area before it drops down into the main wash.  In other words, no camping on most of the road now.

Also, we noticed that some of the new signs and other signs on the back side.   Including one just at the big flat area that was blank, but had signage on the hidden side.   The hidden sides referred to required backpacking permits, to be obtained at the SPW Ranger Station (which is never open at a reasonable hour for a desert hiker anyway).   It seems there are plans or contingencies afoot to require permits (for the Cottonwood / Marble loop?) and as long as they were redoing the signs, the got them ready to go.

Wonder if they're running into usage impact with Cottonwood. That used to be one of my favorite, easy places to duck out to for dispersed camping when I was getting into the Park at a late hour. Last couple of years when I hit Cottonwood Canyon it was a zoo. Not sure if that's still the case.

(2022-04-22, 08:51 AM)TacoLand Wrote: Wonder if they're running into usage impact with Cottonwood. That used to be one of my favorite, easy places to duck out to for dispersed camping when I was getting into the Park at a late hour. Last couple of years when I hit Cottonwood Canyon it was a zoo. Not sure if that's still the case.

It seems to me every time I head out there to start hiking from the big flat area, there's a few parties camped there. But there are also sweet areas for which you don't really need 4WD on either side of the "gates" just up the road a bit. This year there seemed to be a bunch of good sized rocks in the flat area - they seemed randomly placed but we wondered if they had been put there on purpose to limit access?

Back in March 2020, we parked there and hiked north toward Big Fall. When we came back, there were a bunch of parities there, but also we kept passing people camped all along the road - there are a few spots where one can camp nicely (not legally any more) after the big turn. It seemed really strange - till we got to SPW and learned that the park closed down all the official campgrounds due to covid, and there were notices taped to our doors at the motel telling us to get out in the morning.

I just noticed this on the NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/w...ermits.htm. Looks like permits are now mandatory for Cottonwood-Marble and other areas. On the plus side, there doesn't seem to be a cap (or maybe that's not a plus?), and you can submit most permit requests via email.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/u...s-map_.pdf

no camping first 8 miles of cottonwood canyon road according to their flyer

First 8 miles of Cottonwood Canyon Road has always been the case as that's the stretch of trail from the Stovepipe Wells airstrip out to the large flat / parking area before you drop into the Cottonwood Canyon approach. Looking at the permit listing though, it appears you can ONLY use the permit requests via email for _backpacking_ Cottonwood Canyon ... if you want to car camp in Cottonwood/Marble, Hole in the Wall, or Echo Canyon, they are now "requiring" you to first check in at the ranger station the day of. That's a big change for sure.

It's all a response to dramatically increased usage and vandalism in those "backcountry" areas which are easily accessible and plastered all over the internet. None of those places have been quiet or hidden for at least a decade, in my experience.

35mm photo from the 2nd night I ever spent in DVNP (first night was Chloride City). In many of my early trips to DVNP I always spent the first night at this exact spot and have a lot of fond memories of camping there with all of my favorite people. Last time I rolled through was 5 years ago and it was completely overrun from bottom to top of the canyon. So it goes.

Roadside camping along Cottonwood/Marble is now also limited to designated sites -

Regulations and Information

    Free permits are required for roadside camping along Echo Canyon Road, Hole in the Wall Road, Cottonwood Canyon Road, and Marble Canyon Road. Camping in these areas is only allowed in designated sites with a free permit.
    Free permits are required for overnight camping along the Cottonwood Canyon - Marble Canyon Loop.
    Permits are recomended--but not required--for roadside camping and backpacking on other parts of the park.
    Campfires are prohibited. Fire can only be made in established campgrounds with provided metal fire rings. Gathering wood is unlawful and burning of wood is not allowed in the backcountry. Campstoves and propane grills are allowed in all areas.
    Group size is limited to 12 people and no more than 4 vehicles. Larger groups must split up and camp at least 1/2 mile apart.

(2022-10-20, 12:37 AM)TacoLand Wrote: 35mm photo from the 2nd night I ever spent in DVNP (first night was Chloride City). In many of my early trips to DVNP I always spent the first night at this exact spot and have a lot of fond memories of camping there with all of my favorite people. Last time I rolled through was 5 years ago and it was completely overrun from bottom to top of the canyon. So it goes.

Beautiful photo, and nice Cruiser!! I love how vivid the colors are in these old film photos. I have some old photos somewhere of my parents driving their classic Toyota truck up Cottonwood Canyon in the late '80s, eventually I will see if I can re-find the scans.