Panamint Springs Restaurant

Overview

About Panamint Springs Restaurant

Set inside the tiny Panamint Springs Resort on Highway 190, this rustic, family-run spot delivers exactly what you want after a long, dusty drive: unfussy plates, cold drinks, and big desert views. It’s one of the few food stops on the park’s west side, so it feels like an oasis when you’re crossing the Panamint Valley.

Why stop

Remote in-park dining with patio views over Panamint Valley
Hearty comfort food and a solid beer/wine selection
One-stop convenience next to gas and a general store

Heads up

Restrooms are outside the main building
Menu is limited compared to in-town options
Wi‑Fi can be slow or spotty

Map

Where it is

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RestaurantPanamint Springs Restaurant36.33941, -117.46811

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Panamint Springs Restaurant

Aim for a porch table at sunset for the best views and temps.
It’s very dark out here—arrive before nightfall if you can.
Top off fuel and grab supplies next door while you eat.
Portions are generous; burgers and fish & chips are reliable picks.
Plan on slow or spotty Wi‑Fi and download maps in advance.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner year‑round, typically opening around 7 AM and running through the evening. For comfort and views, target breakfast or a sunset dinner on the porch. Midday in warm months can be toasty. Weekdays are usually quieter than weekends; arriving before dark makes the place easier to find on this lightly lit stretch of road.

Logistics & Amenities

The restaurant sits within a compact outpost that also includes lodging, a campground/RV area, a gas station, and a general store. That makes it a convenient all-in-one stop for meals, fuel, and basics. Note: restrooms are outside the main building; Wi‑Fi exists but isn’t a strength this far from anywhere.

3 active Death Valley alerts

ClosurePark roads closed or hazardousPlan around multiple closed roads and use extra caution on damaged routes. - Paved roads: North Highway and Beatty Cut-off are closed due to flooding and debris from the October 22 storm.Official details
ClosureSaline Valley Lower Springs closed after wildfireLower Springs at Saline Valley Warm Springs remains closed after the September 15 wildfire; stay out because the fire left safety hazards, including potential hazardous chemicals.Official details

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A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Death Valley Tour Guide

Your drive to Panamint Springs Restaurant, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Death Valley National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Death Valley audio tour

Recorded for this place

Panamint Springs: A Remote Desert Outpost

Listen

“You're nearing the remote outpost of Panamint Springs. This place is pretty much the only all-in-one stop on this side of the park, with gas, a small general store, and a restaurant all in one spot.”

Plays as you drive up to Panamint Springs Restaurant in the Parkwolf Death Valley Tour Guide.

More about Panamint Springs Restaurant

What to ExpectThink casual and western-themed: a small dining room plus a porch where you can eat with a…

Think casual and western-themed: a small dining room plus a porch where you can eat with a front-row look at the valley and the Panamint Mountains. It’s not fancy and doesn’t try to be—the charm is in the remoteness and the relaxed vibe.

What to OrderThe kitchen leans into American comfort food.

The kitchen leans into American comfort food. Burgers and fish & chips get the most love, alongside steaks, ribs, salads, and fryer favorites (fried green beans have a fan club). Breakfast is available, and coffee is self-serve. The bar keeps a mix of craft beers and wines.

Setting & ViewsGrab a seat outside when weather allows.

Grab a seat outside when weather allows. The porch faces wide-open desert and towering ridgelines—sunsets can be gorgeous, and in cooler months it’s a blissful place to linger.

WildlifeFrom the porch, early and late in the day, you might spot desert birds, lizards, or even a…

From the porch, early and late in the day, you might spot desert birds, lizards, or even a coyote cruising the edge of the property. Keep a respectful distance and enjoy the show.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Death Valley

All Death Valley wildlife maps

71 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

101 sightingsDesert TortoiseMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

458 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

28 sightingsFeral BurroMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

30 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

62 sightingsKit FoxMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Death Valley. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.