Death Valley Hotels and Lodges: Where to Stay
Death Valley offers something unusual among America's national parks: four lodging options within its boundaries, with a wide range of prices and comfort levels. If you're visiting without a tent, the choice quickly comes down to this. Stay in Furnace Creek if you want to be close to the main sights. Stay in Beatty, Nevada, if budget comes first. This gateway town is 45 minutes east, and its motels cost two to three times less than the park lodges.
Park lodges and gateway towns (12)
- Lodge The Inn at Death Valley Furnace Creek · year-round Directions ↗
- Lodge The Ranch at Death Valley Furnace Creek · year-round Directions ↗
- Lodge Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel Stovepipe Wells · year-round Directions ↗
- Gateway town Beatty entrance Daylight Pass (Hwy 374) · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Death Valley Junction entrance Furnace Creek (Hwy 190 west) · hotels, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Pahrump entrance Death Valley Junction / Furnace Creek (Hwy 160 + Hwy 190) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Shoshone entrance Jubilee Pass / Salsberry Pass (Hwy 178) · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Baker entrance Shoshone / Jubilee Pass (Hwy 127 north then Hwy 178) · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Ridgecrest entrance Trona-Wildrose Road (southwest of the park) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Lone Pine entrance Towne Pass (Hwy 136 + Hwy 190 east) · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Stovepipe Wells entrance in the park (Hwy 190) · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
- Gateway town Furnace Creek entrance in the park (NPS visitor center) · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO ⚠ Lodge & Gateway town data is undergoing editorial review.
Stay in the Park or Outside It?
Our page on Where to Stay in Death Valley explores this trade-off in detail. The short version is simple: staying at a park lodge eliminates the morning drive in heat that can climb above 118°F, but rates run significantly higher than those in the gateway towns. That often becomes the deciding factor.
Lodging in Death Valley: Park Lodges
The four in-park properties cover a broad range, from a historic resort to a roadside motel. They fill up early, especially from mid-February through mid-April and in October and November, so book several weeks ahead.
The Inn at Death Valley
The Inn opened in 1927 on a hillside above Furnace Creek. It's the park's historic address, with 66 adobe rooms and suites, lush gardens irrigated by a natural spring, a pool fed by that same spring, a fine-dining restaurant, and a spa. The contrast with the surrounding desert is striking. Rates run from $350 to $600 a night, depending on the season.
The Inn closes every summer, from June through early September, because of the extreme temperatures. If you're visiting in spring or fall, this is the base we recommend for anyone who wants to experience Death Valley fully.
The Ranch at Death Valley
A few hundred yards below the Inn, The Ranch caters to families on a more moderate budget. On a large, tree-filled property, you'll find 224 rooms arranged around four pools, several casual restaurants, and a golf course below sea level. Rates run from $180 to $350 a night.
The Ranch stays open year-round, including summer. In July and August, it's the only lodging option available at Furnace Creek. It's a great fit for families with kids or groups looking to reconnect after a long day out in the field.
Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
About 19 miles west of Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is a simple, functional property with 83 rooms, facing the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. There's a pool, restaurant and saloon, and gas station on-site. That last amenity matters in a park this large. Rates run around $150 to $250 a night.
It's the right choice if your itinerary centers on the dunes, Mosaic Canyon, or the park's northwest areas.
Panamint Springs Resort
At the western end of the park, Panamint Springs is an independent resort reached via CA-190, near the park boundary on the Panamint Valley side. It offers basic rooms, bungalows, a bar and restaurant open year-round, and a genuine end-of-the-road atmosphere that some guests really appreciate. Rates run from $100 to $200 a night.
It's an ideal base if you're arriving from Owens Valley or want to explore Panamint Valley and the park's western areas, away from the concentration of visitors around Furnace Creek.
Where to Stay Around Death Valley: Gateway Towns
Beatty, Nevada
Beatty is about 45 minutes from Furnace Creek via US-95 and CA-374, on the park's eastern side. This former mining town has about a dozen motels and a few casinos at rates considerably lower than the park lodges. It's also the natural gateway town for visitors arriving from Las Vegas, 2.5 hours to the southeast.
Lone Pine, California
An hour and a half west via CA-136 and CA-190, Lone Pine sits at the foot of Mount Whitney and offers about 20 hotels and motels at every price point. It appeals to travelers combining Death Valley and the Sierra Nevada on the same trip. The atmosphere feels more authentic than Beatty, and a few good restaurants help offset the distance.
Ridgecrest, California
An hour and 45 minutes southwest via CA-178, Ridgecrest is the region's most complete service town, with major hotel chains, supermarkets, and gas stations. It isn't the most appealing gateway, but if you're coming from Los Angeles via the eastern route, it's a reliable logistical stop before entering the park.
How Many Nights Should You Plan for Death Valley?
Two nights let you cover the essential sights: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Artists Drive, and Dantes View. With three nights, you can add hikes and explore outlying areas without rushing. One night is technically possible if you arrive early in the morning, but you'll leave feeling as though you've only glimpsed something much larger.
The Death Valley itinerary guide offers detailed plans based on the time you have.
When to Book and What Budget to Plan For
Peak season runs from mid-February through mid-April, when desert spring arrives and wildflower blooms are possible, and from October through mid-November. During these periods, The Inn and The Ranch sell out several weeks ahead, so book as soon as the calendar opens.
Summer, from June through mid-September, is a paradoxical low season. Lodge rates drop, but temperatures in the valley can climb above 118°F. The Inn closes entirely. If you're visiting in summer, choose The Ranch or Stovepipe Wells, head out before 9 a.m., and get back into the shade before noon. Never leave a pet or child in a parked car.
For seasonal pricing and periods to avoid, see our page on When to Visit Death Valley.
Our Picks for Different Travelers
Comfort and immersion: The Inn at Death Valley, except in summer. The park's historic address is 10 minutes from the main sights and has a natural pool and a quality restaurant.
Best value in the park: The Ranch at Death Valley. It's convenient, well equipped, open year-round, and significantly less expensive than the Inn.
Tight budget, quick access: Beatty, Nevada. The motels are affordable, and you can enter the park in less than an hour.
Sierra Nevada and Death Valley road trip: Lone Pine, California. A good base with a pretty setting and decent dining options.
Exploring the western park: Panamint Springs Resort. It's isolated but ideally located for the western areas, far from the crowds around Furnace Creek.
For a camping or RV trip, find all the options in our Camping and RV Camping in Death Valley guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should you stay to visit Death Valley?
Staying in the park is the most convenient option. The Inn at Death Valley and The Ranch at Death Valley are in Furnace Creek, at the heart of the main sights. For a tighter budget, Beatty, Nevada, is the closest gateway town, 45 minutes east.
Can you stay overnight in Death Valley?
Yes, you can absolutely stay overnight in Death Valley. The park has four lodging options within its boundaries: The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel, and Panamint Springs Resort, with a wide range of prices and comfort levels.
What is the best town to stay in for visiting Death Valley?
The best gateway town depends on your itinerary. On the east side, Beatty, Nevada, is the closest, 45 minutes from Furnace Creek. On the west side, Lone Pine, an hour and a half away, works well if you're combining the trip with the Sierra Nevada. For more services, Ridgecrest, an hour and 45 minutes southwest, is a solid alternative.
How much does a Death Valley trip cost?
The cost of a Death Valley trip varies widely depending on your lodging. Park lodges range from about $100 a night at Panamint Springs to more than $500 a night at The Inn during peak season. Motels in gateway towns such as Beatty and Lone Pine often run from $80 to $150. Our Death Valley guide points you to all the practical resources you need to plan your trip.