The Campgrounds in Death Valley are among the best in America – here’s everything you need to know for your next camping trip here.
I still remember my first visit to Death Valley. Along a road trip with friends we said “might as well drive through to see what it’s all about”. It was Summer and the extreme desert temperatures were something us East-Coasters had never experienced – I’m very glad I did.
Death Valley is an otherworldly place that seems like something out of a Star Wars movie set (it is). The landscapes here seem endless with bold yellow, orange, and purple hues. And, remarkably, there is abundant life in the last place you might expect.
If you are like me, and wrote Death Valley off or moved it to a lower spot on your list due to it’s morbid name or extreme reputation, trust me when I say it’s totally worth the visit.
Love Death Valley? It's one of 117 threatened public lands destinations we're tracking. Get the free briefing.
Ready for the best campgrounds in Death Valley? Let’s get started!
About My Travels to Death Valley National Park
My brother Jim and I first visited Death Valley National Park back in 2013 along with some friends on a road trip from Atlanta to California. We stopped at the park for maybe an hour but I could tell immediately that my impressions of the park were totally off.
For the film, to capture the essence of the park we took two separate trips and spent a total of nearly 3 weeks in Death Valley.
The first trip was in the Winter and the second was in the Spring. We visited once with a 2WD car and once with a 4WD car (what a difference – more on that below).
Things to Know Before Going Camping in Death Valley National Park
Entrance Fees
Sunscreen
Use it. Lots of it. Especially this one which we never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, earth 🙂
Cell Service
Cell Service is pretty much non-existent in Death Valley so download your maps and plan accordingly.
Gas
Fuel up before you enter the park (even if you’re at like 3/4 of a tank) because the park is massive (we’re talking the largest in the contiguous 48 states). You do not want to run out of gas in the desert.
Death Valley Guide Book
This is the guide book we found most helpful for visiting the park & this one for day hikes.
The Best Map
We like this map best for Death Valley.
Water
Drink it. Lots of it. Don’t forget it in the car.
Food options are limited in Death Valley
So, plan accordingly. There is a general store at Stovepipe Wells that is fairly well stocked. Panamint Springs also has a store as does Furnace Creek. There are a couple of restaurants but keep in mind they are located hours apart from each other.
Best Time to Visit Death Valley
Death Valley National Park is in the winter and early spring when temperatures are manageable and visitation is down. During Summer Death Valley is often the hottest place on earth.
Where to Stay in Death Valley National Park
Here’s our favorite place to stay in Death Valley National Park!
Death Valley National Park Camping Map
Camping & Campgrounds in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is home to 12 campgrounds and over 700 campsites offering a wide variety of camping options from campgrounds with over 200 sites to remote backcountry wilderness.
Campgrounds in Death Valley: 12
Campsites in Death Valley: 700+
Death Valley Backcountry Campsites: 200+
Top 5 Campgrounds in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley Campgrounds at a Glance
Here is the quick version of all nine campgrounds. For the full park overview, see our Death Valley National Park hub.
| Campground | Sites | Season | Fee | Reservation | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset | 270 | Late fall to early spring | ~$14 | First-come | Valley floor |
| Stovepipe Wells | 190 | Late fall to early spring | ~$14 | First-come | Sea level |
| Furnace Creek | 136 (18 hookups) | Year round | ~$22, hookups ~$36 | Reservable Oct 15 to Apr 15 | Below sea level |
| Texas Springs | 92 | Late fall to early spring | ~$16 | First-come | Valley floor |
| Mesquite Spring | 30 | Year round | ~$14 | First-come | 1,800 ft |
| Wildrose | 23 | Year round | Free | First-come | 4,100 ft |
| Emigrant | 10 (tent only) | Year round | Free | First-come | 2,100 ft |
| Mahogany Flat | 10 | Late spring to fall | Free | First-come | 8,200 ft |
| Thorndike | 6 | Late spring to fall | Free | First-come | 7,400 ft |
Which one to pick: If you want to reserve ahead and stay near services, choose Furnace Creek, the only campground that takes reservations. For a quieter base in the cooler months, Texas Springs and Mesquite Spring are the better feel. If you are chasing summer temperatures that are even close to bearable, head for the high-elevation Panamint sites at Wildrose, Mahogany Flat, and Thorndike, which sit thousands of feet above the valley floor. Emigrant is tent-only and free, a solid budget pick.
2026 reality check: Death Valley charges $30 per vehicle for seven days and has no park-wide reservation system, though Furnace Creek campground does take site reservations on Recreation.gov for the cool season. Fees listed here are approximate and the park adjusts them periodically, so confirm on the NPS fees page. The headline risk is summer heat. From May through September the valley floor regularly tops 115 to 120 degrees, which is genuinely dangerous, so the valley-floor campgrounds close in the hottest months and you should camp at the high Panamint sites instead. The roads to Mahogany Flat and Thorndike are rough and usually need high clearance, sometimes four-wheel drive.
1. Sunset Campground Death Valley
- 270 sites
- Late Fall-Early Spring
- Price: Standard $14
- First-come, First-Serve
- RVs Allowed
Located in Furnace Creek, Sunset Campground doesn’t offer much to see but has plenty of space at affordable rates. This “campground” is a gravel lot separated by chalk lines. Sunset Campground is a pretty lousy spot for tent campers but perfect for trailers or RVs.
The campground is centrally located near Artist’s Palette, Golden Throne, Zabriskie Point, a convenience store, and more.
Photo of Sunset Campground
One thing to note is the campground is at sea level and temps can (and do) soar. Furnace Creek has the record for hottest recorded air temperature on the planet so if you need cool air to sleep this might not be the place for you in warmer months.
2. Stovepipe Wells Campground Death Valley
- 190 sites
- Late Fall-Early Spring
- Standard $14
- First-come, First-Serve
- RVs Allowed
Stovepipe Wells is the first stop for many park visitors. The campground here is a pretty basic featuring some fairly stripped down Death Valley campsites rocky, dirt plot with little to no privacy. Most sites feature a fire pit and picnic table.
What the campground lacks in natural amenities, the surrounding area more than compensates for. Restrooms are maintained well-enough, above average for a national park.
Photo of Stovepipe Wells Campground
The campground is located near popular spots like Mesquite Flat Dunes, Devil’s Cornfield, and the most popular convenience store in Death Valley.
3. Furnace Creek Campground Death Valley
- 136 sites / 18 hookups
- Year Round
- Standard $22 / Hookups $36
- Reservations Oct 15 – Apr15
- RVs Allowed
- Book Reservations: here
Furnace Creek Campground has some of Death Valley’s best campsites offers large sites, desert scenery, and is well-maintained. Most sites feature a fire pit and picnic table. What more do you need? Restrooms are maintained well-enough and have running water.
The location of the campground is tough to beat near Artist’s Palette, Golden Throne, Zabriskie Point and more.
Photo of Furnace Creek Campground
One thing to note is the campground is at sea level and temps can (and do) soar. Furnace Creek has the record for hottest recorded air temperature on the planet so if you need cool air to sleep this might not be the place for you in warmer months. Site also features 18 hookups.
4. Texas Springs Campground Death Valley
- 92 sites
- Late Fall-Early Spring
- Standard $16
- First-come, First-Serve
Texas Springs Campground features dirt plots, close quarters, and sweeping views. All the basics are here including fire pit, picnic table, and restrooms (hello, flush toilets). This campground is located across the street from Furnace Creek campground.
Texas Springs is located in the Furnace Creek section of the park near Golden Throne, Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and more.
5. Mesquite Spring Campground Death Valley
- 30 sites
- Year Round
- Standard $14
- First-come, First-serve
If you go to the parks for a more secluded experience (like us) Mesquite Spring is probably more your pace. The campground is located off Scotty’s Castle Road.
Mesquite Spring is a basic campground with far fewer sites than the bigger, more popular campgrounds like Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek. Each site at Mesquite Spring features a fire pit & picnic table.
Flush toilets are a plush feature here. Mesquite Spring Campground is located near Ubehebe Crater, Scotty’s Castle, on the northern side of the park. It makes for a god base camp if you’re trying to make it to Eureka Dunes or the Racetrack Playa.
Photo of Mesquite Spring Campground
6. Wildrose Campground Death Valley
- 23 sites
- Year Round
- FREE
- First-come, First-Serve
If you’re taking a multi-day camping trip to Death Valley then Wildrose Campground deserves consideration. It’s location on a Western end of the park off Charcoal Kilns Road makes it a bit out of the way for most visitors, maybe that’s why it’s free?
As compared to most camp sites in the park, Wildrose sites feature vegetation and considerably more distance between neighbors along with fire pits & picnic tables.
Photo of Wildrose Campground
Down the road from Wildrose Campground are the charcoal kilns, and the trailhead to Bennett & Telescope Peaks which offer some of the best views of the entire park. Depending on the time of year snow can be found on the trail.
7. Emigrant Campground Death Valley
- 10 sites (tent only)
- Year Round
- FREE
- First-come, First-serve
It’s easy to mistake Emigrant Campground as a rest stop from the road as it doesn’t look like much but the price is right. This free campground sits about 100ft off a main road and has no shade or natural barriers of any kind.
Each site comes with picnic table, fire pit, and very little distance from the next site over.
Photo of Emigrant Campground
The campground technically doesn’t have it’s own bathroom but an actual rest stop with bathrooms is a two-minute walk away. It’s location adjacent to beginning of Emigrant Canyon road puts it in between Panamint Springs, Wildrose, and Stovepipe Wells.
8. Mahogany Flat Campground Death Valley
- 10 sites
- Late Spring – Fall
- FREE
- First-come, First-Serve
Mahogany Flat Campground is a bit of an anomaly in Death Valley National Park. Whereas most campgrounds are located close to sea level, this campground sits at an elevation of 8200ft making it a much cooler spot.
From Badwater Basin to this campground one must climb a mile and a half in elevation. Situated amongst a grove of conifers camp sites are quite lovely coming with the standard fire pit & picnic table. Toilets are of the pit variety.
Photo of Mahogany Flat Campground
This campground is located at the trailhead for Rogers Peak near the Charcoal Kilns and offers some wide views of Death Valley.
NOTE: You will most likely need a high clearance vehicle to access this campground as the road can be quite rough.
9. Thorndike Campground Death Valley
- 6 sites
- Late Spring – Fall
- FREE
- First-come, First-serve
Thorndike Campground is very similar to its nearby neighbor, Mahogany Flat Campground, in that it is off the same road, sits at high elevation (7400ft), and is situated amongst a conifer grove.
Thorndike is much cooler than most Death Valley campgrounds so come prepared. Sites come with fire pit, picnic table, and some even a grill. Toilets are of the pit variety.
Photo of Thorndike Campground
NOTE: you will most likely need a high clearance vehicle to access this campground as the road can be quite rough
- Sunset Campground
- Stovepipe Wells Campground
- Furnace Creek Campground
- Texas Springs Campground
- Mesquite Spring Campground
- Wildrose Campground
- Emigrant Campground
- Mahogany Flat Campground
- Thorndike Campground
Getting to Death Valley Campsites – Directions & Location
There are a few popular ways to get to Death Valley.
Closest Airport: LAS – McCarran International Airport (distance – 106 miles from the Death Valley Junction Entrance)
The fastest way to get to Death Valley National Park is by plane, flying into Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport. Flights into Las Vegas are usually inexpensive due to the amount of major airlines that fly into the city from all over the world.
Alternatively you *could* fly into Los Angeles (LAX) and drive east (3.5 hours).
Driving From Las Vegas to Death Valley
If you are driving from Las Vegas to Death Valley, getting to the park is a breeze. Just jump on highway 160 and take it to Pahrump. From there simply follow the signs the rest of the way.
The drive from Las Vegas to Death Valley is about 2 hours or so depending on where you’re first stop in the park is.
Traffic from Las Vegas to Death Valley isn’t too bad so long as you time your departure from the city right.
On the return trip from Death Valley to Las Vegas you could take an alternate route through Amargosa Valley or Beatty if you’re near Stovepipe Wells.
Driving Tips You Should Know in Death Valley When Camping
1. Be prepared for long drives
Don’t come into the park without a full tank of gas. Map out stops beforehand and calculate the mileage so that you don’t run out of gas inside the park. Death Valley is not a place you want to be stranded.
2. Bring emergency water & food just in case
Flat tires are common in Death Valley National Park and cell service is spotty at best. While most of the roads are traveled fairly regularly, some are not. This means it could be hours or even days before the next visitor drives down the road.
3. DO NOT Drive off of the roads
Much damage has been done to the park in the past few years by people driving off road. It takes an extremely long time for sensitive parts of the desert floor to return to a natural state once damaged. If you see someone doing this take down their license plate and report it to a ranger station.
4. Don’t speed
With wide open roads that stretch for miles and miles the tempation to speed may be great. Resist the urge. You never know when a coyote, hiker, or burro might decide to cross the road. Many of the roads have unexpected dips & sharp turns as well. Enjoy the scenery and take it easy!
5. Driving down dirt roads takes longer.
When calculating your drive times around the park make sure to give yourself a cushion when traversing dirt roads. Google maps doesn’t always do the best job of this and drive times can easily take twice
Nearby Attractions – Death Valley Campsites
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Zion National Park
- Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
- Grand Canyon Nationa Park
Summary | Leave us a Comment!
That’s a wrap folks! Hopefully you feel like you’ve got a good handle on your next trip to Death Valley National Park. Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Hope to see you on the trails sometime soon!
Helpful Related Articles
Death Valley National Park Guide: Death Valley National Park Complete Guide
Facts About Death Valley: 15 Fascinating Facts About Death Valley National Park
Death Valley by Season: Spring | Summer | Winter
Death Valley Camping: 9 Best Campgrounds in Death Valley
Eureka Dunes: Visiting Eureka Dunes in Death Valley
National Parks Near Las Vegas: 6 Best National Parks Near Las Vegas
Joshua Tree Guide: Joshua Tree National Park Complete Guide
Best Hikes Joshua Tree: 15 Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
Things to Do Joshua Tree: 25 Things to Do at Joshua Tree National Park
Things to Do Sequoia: 15 Things to Do at Sequoia National Park
Redwood National Park Guide: Redwood National Park Complete Guide
Things to Do Redwood National Park: 15 Things to Do in Redwood National Park
Things to Do Pinnacles National Park: 10 Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park
Redwoods Near San Francisco: 15 BEST Places to See Redwoods Near San Francisco
Los Angeles National Parks: 7 National Parks Near Los Angeles
San Francisco National Parks: 8 BEST National Parks Near San Francisco
San Diego National Parks: 6 National Parks Near San Diego
Yosemite Facts: 10 Shocking Yosemite National Park Facts
Sequoia Facts: 10 GIANT Sequoia Tree & National Park Facts
West Coast Parks: 20 BEST West Coast National Parks Ranked by Experts
death valley camping, camping in death valley, camping death valley, camping at death valley, campsites in death valley, death valley camp sites, death valley campground, death valley camping, camping in death valley, camping death valley, camping at death valley, campsites in death valley, death valley camp sites, death valley campground, death valley camping, camping in death valley, camping death valley, camping at death valley, campsites in death valley, death valley camp sites, death valley campground,
What to Bring to Death Valley
Gear we recommend for Death Valley. Affiliate links support our work at no cost to you.
More Than Just Parks may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we would actually use.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we actually use.
More Than Just Parks Film Watch our film of Death Valley We spent weeks in Death Valley, one of our favorite public lands destinations, capturing it the way it deserves. Take a few minutes and see it for yourself.
