What is the matter with the encampment that I should skip Death Valley? Of course there will be plenty of people and cars but isn't it a vast place? My point is that once I fly miles to get to the west coast I think the encampment should not stop me from visiting that place. My next visit to the USA may be in years and probably to different places. Moreover it could be interesting even for a tourist. and the timig is also godd - autumn. We don't mind given these circumstances if we sleep about 2-hour journey from the entrance to the park, we do not even need a Hilton, just a bed and a shower and a roof over our heads.
As for Joshua if we have some time, we will go there too.
What's so interesting about Palm Springs? It's a holiday resort as far as I know.