Sand Spring is located in the extreme northern end of Death Valley, located at an elevation of about 3,500 feet, and surrounded on three sides by higher mountains. The spring has always served as a watering hole for human and animal inhabitants. The spring was noted by explorer John C. Fremont, who camped there April 28, 1844, and proclaimed it "a very poor camping place." During the 1920's, Sand Spring served as a site of a water supply, gas station and store. The short lived "Skookum rush" was taking place in the nearby mountains. Today, the site contains a stone foundation from the store/gas station period, and the polluted well. This portion of Death Valley National Park is open cattle range, usually the visitor will share the site with one or two members of the bovine community, who usually snort their displeasure regarding your company. They are about the only company you'll usually have, as this end of Death Valley is far north of that populated by throngs of winter tourists. Submitted by David A. Wright, Great Basin Research.