Travel deal: Winter visitors will find 30% off rooms at Death Valley

There are two places for visitors to stay inside Death Valley National Park: the fancy inn or the laid-back ranch with cabins and rooms that are good for families. Both are cutting room prices 30% for those who come to visit the desert park midweek between October and December.

The deal: Prospector Rates, as the promotion is called, applies to the Ranch at Furnace Creek and the AAA four-diamond Inn at Furnace Creek, which has luxury rooms with a swimming pool and a terrace perfect for watching sunsets. The inn opened in 1927 with just 12 guestrooms. It now has 66 rooms and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

When: Discount room rates apply on selected dates Oct. 15 through Dec. 21 at the ranch and Oct. 20 through Dec. 20 at the inn, based on availability.

Tested: I found availability at the ranch Oct. 20-22 for a standard room with two queen beds for $105 a night instead of $169 a night. I also found a room with a king-sized bed available at the inn Nov. 19-21 for $294 a night instead of $419 a night. Prices don’t include tax.

Info: Furnace Creek Resort, (800) 236-7916