Death Valley: Plan for Three Years of Construction Around Furnace Creek
Water and sewer system upgrades at Furnace Creek and Cow Creek could cause brief water outages and temporarily reduce parking over three years.
By Jocelyn Pion,
If you're planning a visit to Death Valley, add water and sewer construction to your list of things to check before you go. According to Sierra Wave, work began on October 21, 2026, at Furnace Creek. Cow Creek is also affected, according to KSNV and Sierra Wave. Both outlets report that construction is expected to last three years.
Two potential disruptions matter most for planning your visit. Sierra Wave reports brief, localized water outages. The outlet also mentions a temporary reduction in available parking spaces. Keep some flexibility in your itinerary if you plan to visit the affected areas.
The expected construction period gives you a general time frame for planning your trip. It doesn't provide a detailed schedule of disruptions, though. The monitoring brief lists no dates for potential water outages or parking restrictions. We recommend checking conditions close to your visit, even if you've already planned your stops.
According to Sierra Wave, the park will post service changes and closures on its website, nps.gov/deva. Before heading to Furnace Creek or Cow Creek, check the park's alerts before your visit. That way, you can adjust your plans based on the available information instead of relying solely on the construction start date.
For help working these checks into your trip planning, we also recommend the Death Valley National Park guide. Keep a separate reminder in your itinerary to check this practical detail. Potential water and parking disruptions warrant another check before you arrive.