Death Valley Camping: Which Campground to Choose, Reservations, and Fees

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Death Valley

Death Valley has 9 campgrounds managed by the National Park Service, most of them open year-round. Reservations are required at the most popular sites (Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells) from October through April. Outside that period, several campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also camp in the backcountry for free, as long as you follow a few strict rules.

The park is open 365 days a year. In July, temperatures on the valley floor regularly climb above 118°F. Here more than anywhere else, choosing the right campground and season isn't just a matter of comfort.

Campgrounds in the park (12)

• Campground Emigrant Campground first come, first served · 10 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Texas Springs Campground first come, first served · 106 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Sunset Campground first come, first served · 230 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Stovepipe Wells Campground first come, first served · 190 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Wildrose Campground first come, first served · 23 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Furnace Creek Campground recreation.gov · 136 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Mesquite Spring Campground first come, first served · 40 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Thorndike Campground (Primitive) first come, first served · 6 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive) first come, first served · 9 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Eureka Dunes Campground (Primitive) first come, first served · 7 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Homestake Campground (Primitive) see NPS · 10 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Saline Valley Campground (Primitive) first come, first served · 15 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Death Valley?

Yes, and it's one of the best ways to explore the park. At 5,270 square miles, Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Camping on-site saves you daily drives from Las Vegas (about 174 miles) or Los Angeles (about 280 miles).

Free camping on the valley floor is prohibited. Outside the official campgrounds, backcountry camping is allowed under strict conditions. You must stay away from paved roads and natural water sources, and pick up a free permit at a visitor center before setting out.

Campgrounds in the Park

Death Valley is large enough that your campground choice can really shape your stay. Here are the 9 official sites, grouped by geographic area.

Furnace Creek Area (Central Valley)

Furnace Creek Campground is the park's main campground. Located below sea level, about 190 feet down, it offers tent and RV sites, some with electrical hookups. A visitor center, grocery store, gas station, and restaurants are just a short walk away. It's the only area in the valley with charging stations. Reservations are strongly recommended from October through April.

Sunset Campground, right nearby, caters to RVs and lightweight tents, with no hookups. It's more basic, but useful when Furnace Creek is full.

Texas Spring Campground closes in summer and reopens from October through May. It accommodates tents and small RVs, with a quieter atmosphere than Furnace Creek.

Stovepipe Wells Area (Central-Western Valley)

Stovepipe Wells Campground sits next to the village of the same name, with its gas station and saloon. The campground accommodates tents and RVs, and some sites have electrical hookups. It's the ideal starting point for Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, only a few miles away.

Northern Park

Mesquite Spring Campground is the park's most remote site, in the northern section. Open year-round, it accommodates tents and RVs in a much quieter setting than the valley floor. In winter and spring, it's one of our favorite spots.

High-Elevation Campgrounds (Panamint Range)

On the slopes of the Panamint Range, west of the park, three campgrounds offer a valuable refuge in summer. Temperatures there are 18°F to 27°F lower than in the valley.

Wildrose Campground, at about 4,300 feet, is accessible by a regular car, free, and open year-round. The facilities are basic, but the setting is remarkably quiet.

Thorndike and Mahogany Flat, between 7,900 and 8,500 feet, are accessible only by high-clearance 4WD vehicles on a rocky road. In return, you camp beneath high-elevation pines with views that more than make up for the difficult drive. They're free, too.

Emigrant Campground, at the bottom of the park's eastern slope, is free, tent-only, and limited to one night. It's handy for a quick stop near the entrance.

RV vs. Tent: Which Site Should You Choose?

You can manage Death Valley in an RV with a little preparation. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells offer sites with electrical hookups and enough clearance for large vehicles. An RV with built-in air conditioning is a real advantage in the shoulder seasons, when nights stay warm without becoming cool.

The high-elevation campgrounds (Thorndike, Mahogany Flat) are off-limits to RVs. The rocky road requires substantial ground clearance and a compact vehicle. Some rental companies prohibit driving on unpaved roads under their contracts, regardless of the vehicle. Check your contract before taking these roads. For model-specific restrictions and dump stations in the park, the Death Valley RV camping guide has all the details.

For tent campers, the high-elevation sites are by far the most comfortable from June through August. Sleeping at 6,600 feet while the valley bakes at 122°F radically changes the experience.

Camping Nearby: Options Outside the Park

When the park is full (March and April weekends fill up fast), you still have a few alternatives nearby. Panamint Springs Resort, just outside the west entrance, offers tent and RV sites. Near Beatty, Nevada, to the east, several private campgrounds take overflow guests. For nearby lodges, hotels, and private campgrounds, the Death Valley lodging guide lists all the options.

Dispersed Camping and Backcountry Camping

Backcountry camping is allowed across nearly the entire park. These rules are non-negotiable:

• Pick up a free permit at a visitor center or from a ranger before setting out.
• Camp away from paved roads and heavily visited areas, including campgrounds and visitor centers.
• Keep the required distance from all natural water sources. The permit form gives the exact distances.
• Ground fires are not allowed in the valley. Gas stoves are permitted.
• Follow Leave No Trace principles completely. Pack out all trash and, in areas without toilets, your human waste as well. WAG bags are available at the visitor center.

For multi-day backcountry routes, see the Death Valley hiking guide.

How and When to Reserve a Death Valley Campsite

Reservations are made through recreation.gov, up to six months in advance. Take this booking window seriously. Furnace Creek in March and April sells out within hours of reservations opening.

For sites that don't accept reservations (summer sites and first-come, first-served campgrounds), arrive early in the morning. Campers must leave by 11 a.m., and newly available sites are assigned right away.

Our recommendation is simple: choose spring (March through May) and fall (October through November) for most campgrounds. Save summer for the high-elevation sites. The month-by-month climate calendar explains the best window for your travel style.

Fees: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost in Death Valley?

The park offers a wide range of options, from free sites to campgrounds with services:

• Paid campgrounds (Furnace Creek, Sunset, Texas Spring, Stovepipe Wells, Mesquite Spring): $14 to $36 per night, depending on the site type and whether it has electrical hookups.
• Free campgrounds (Emigrant, Wildrose, Thorndike, Mahogany Flat): no fee and no services.

The park entrance fee applies in every case: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person arriving on foot or by bicycle. The park-specific annual pass costs $55. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80), valid at all U.S. national parks for 12 months, pays for itself after visiting two parks in a year. The Fees and Passes page explains entrance fees and pass options.

Camping Safety and Best Practices

Death Valley is where poor logistics can have the most serious consequences. The points below are requirements, not suggestions.

Water. Carry at least 4 liters per person per day outside the valley, and more in summer. Refill points are scarce: the Furnace Creek visitor center, Stovepipe Wells Village, and Panamint Springs. Check that they're available before heading into the backcountry.

Food. Death Valley doesn't require bear-resistant food containers because there are no bears in the park. Coyotes and desert foxes, however, are opportunistic and perfectly comfortable around campsites. Store food in your vehicle or in the metal lockers available at campsites.

Heat. Never leave a child or pet in a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes. Pavement can exceed 176°F in July. Check your tire pressure before driving in extreme heat. In the backcountry, tell someone your route and expected return date.

High-elevation nights. Even in August, temperatures at Mahogany Flat can drop below 50°F. A suitable sleeping bag is essential, even in summer.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

For lodge or hotel accommodations in the park, see the Death Valley hotels and lodges guide. For an overview of trip logistics, the Death Valley guide links to every section about the park.

Frequently Asked Questions