Campgrounds at Death Valley National Park range from developed, to primitive, to private, in addition to backcountry camping. Some are open year-round and some are seasonal, closed during summer due to the extreme temperatures in the triple digits.
Furnace Creek Campground RV sites, Death Valley National Park / Rebecca Latson
Of the developed (aka front-country) campgrounds, there are seven to choose from, with the Furnace Creek Campground perhaps the most in demand thanks to the nearby swimming pool. But if swimming isn't high on your list of priorities, there are campgrounds that place you close to Scotty's Castle, campgrounds that might feel like small towns due to their hundreds of sites, and campgrounds somewhat off the beaten path.
Here's a short rundown on each campground. Note: you'll need your park entrance pass for accessing any of these sites, regardless of whether they are fee or free.
Developed (Front-Country) Campgrounds
All of these campgrounds are reached via paved roads. Water, toilets, and trash removal are provided. Note: updated fees for five of the seven developed campgrounds went into affect May 1, 2024. What you may currently see on the park's website for Furnace Creek, Mesquite, Texas Spring, Sunset, and Stovepipe Wells campgrounds are the old fees.
Furnace Creek Campground offers 136 sites (45 tent only), eight of which are ADA accessible. Eighteen sites have electric hookups (30/50 amp). This is the only campground within the park that accepts reservations, which may be made 6 months in advance for camping dates between October 15 and April 15 via recreation.gov; the remainder of the year the campground is first-come-first-serve. A standard tent/RV site is $30 per night, full hookup tent/RV sites are $44 (half price with a Lifetime Pass) plus a $14 utility fee (not discounted). There are five group sites: three sites for 9-15 people and four vehicles for $40 per night (no discounts) and two sites for 9 - 40 people for $60 per night (no discount). The 136 sites are located 196 feet below sea level, providing some bragging rights for camping at the lowest spot in the Northern Hemisphere. Traveler's Note: Although you may notice what appear to be Electric vehicle (EV) hookups, EV charging is not supported at this campground. Plugging your EV into these pedestals could permanently damage your vehicle and the campground's electrical system. You could be liable for any damage done to the system. There are EV charging stations at the Oasis Ranch and Inn.
Texas Spring Campground offers 92 sites (22 tent only) at sea level. The park's website for this campground does not specifically indicate ADA acccessible sites, but there are paved roadways with access to two comfort stations. Open seasonally beginning at noon on October 15, these sites are first-come, first-served. No generators are allowed. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate. Sites go for $20 per night.
Sunset Campground offers 230 sites at 196 feet below sea level. The park's website for this campground does not specifically indicate ADA accessible sites, but there is wheelchair access and ADA parking to one (1) comfort station located on the west side of the campground at the end of “D” roadway. Open seasonally beginning at noon on October 15, these sites are first-come, first-served and rarely fills up. Car and tent camping is permitted however there are no firegrates or picnic tables. Campfires are not allowed in Sunset except at a few designated public areas within the campground. Sites go for $18 per night.
The Stovepipe Wells Campground at Death Valley National Park can get very busy / NPS file
Stovepipe Wells Campground offers 190 sites (28 tent only) and sits at sea level. While all sites are ADA friendly, no site is strictly ADA. The dirt and gravel road is flat and the restroom has an ADA stall. Open seasonally at noon on October 15, these sites are first-come, first-served. This campground is adjacent to the Stovepipe Wells General Store, ranger station, and a privately-operated RV park. Sites go for $18 per night and this campground can be crowded during the high (winter) season.
Emigrant Campground offers 10 tent sites year-round. These sites are first-come, first-served and you can find the campground nine miles south of Stovepipe Wells Village along Highway 190. A building with flush toilets is 270 feet down a dirt trail just outside of the campground. Nightly cost: Free.
Wildrose campsites, Death Valley National Park / NPS file
Wildrose Campground is another site for those hoping to flee the heat, thanks to its 4,100-foot (1,250 m) elevation. First-come, first-served sites, there's no charge for staying in one of the 23 sites located 30 miles south of Stovepipe Wells Village on the Trona-Wildrose Road, and you'll have access to picnic tables, running water, fire pits, and pit toilets. This campground is prone to high winds.
Mesquite Spring campsite, Death Valley National Park / NPS - K. Moses
Mesquite Spring Campground offers 40 sites and is open year-round. There are no ADA accessible sites, but there are paved roadways within the campground and ADA access to one (1) comfort station in the center of the campground. For those who want to try to rise above the heat, that's possible at this campground located at an elevation of 1,800 feet. There's running water, toilets, and for RVers, a dump station. Nightly cost: $20.
Primitive Campgrounds
There are five primitive campgrounds within the park. These campgrounds are accessible by high clearance 4 x 4 vehicles only. You'll need to bring your own water and pack out your trash.
Thorndike Campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 ft (2,256 m), offers 6 sites, is first-come, first-served, and is typically open mid-April through December, weather permitting. Nightly cost: free.
Mahogany Flat campsite, Death Valley National Park / NPS file
Mahogany Flat Campground sits at an elevation of 8,200 ft (2,499 m), offers 9 sites, is first-come, first-served, and is open in both summer and fall. Usually it's closed in winter due to snow and ice. Nightly cost: free.
Eureka Dunes campsite, Death Valley National Park / NPS file
Eureka Dunes Campground is a remote site at an elevation of 2,88 ft (878 m) and is located at the base of Eureka Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in California. Open year-round, these 7 sites are first-come, first-served. Summer camping is not recommended due to the extreme high temperatures. Nightly cost: free.
Homestake campsite, Death Valley National Park / NPS file
Homestake Campground is an extremely remote primitive campground located at an elevation of 3,785 ft (~1,154 m). The 10 sites are accessible only by high-clearance vehicles with all-terrain tires and should be only be attempted by experienced 4-wheel drivers. If you are up to the job, these free nightly sites are first-come, first-served and open year-round (weather permitting).
Saline Valley Campground offers 15 sites as well as a clothing-optional hot spring area in which to soak your cares away at the end of the day. First-come, first-served, these free nightly sites are located approximately 35 miles from the nearest paved road sit at an elevation of 1,375 ft (419 m). You do have to navigate either North Pass at 7,300 ft (2,225 m) or South Pass at 5,997 ft (1,828 m), and this campground may be inaccessible due to winter conditions.
Private Campgrounds Within The Park
There are three privately-owned campgrounds within the park that accept reservations:
OHYÜ RV Park (Stovepipe Wells RV Park) offers 14 full hookup (30/50 amp) RV sites next to the General Store. The maximum length for RVs is 27 - 40 feet with a maximum stay of 14 days at a cost of $40 to $80 per night.
The Oasis at Death Valley Fiddlers' Campground offers 35 sites at a nightly rate of $29 (Sunday - Thursday) and $34 (Friday - Saturday). The sites do not have picnic tables, but there are community fire pits and picnic areas in two central locations of the campground. All sites are back-in only with no pull-through options. Traveler's Note: When reserving a spot at this campground operated by Xanterra, the price ranges from $51 - $56 and not the price indicated on the campground's initial webpage.
Panamint Springs Resort offers small and large tent cabins ($55 - $75 per night). There are 22 tent sites ($15 per night), 26 RV dry sites (no hookups) for a cost of $30 per night, and 6 full hookup (30/50 amp) RV sites ($60 per night). All sites have fire pits and most sites have picnic tables. Of the dry RV sites, only 9 may be reserved in advance. Pets are allowed for an extra $5 per night. Showers are included with the site fee for all campsites and tent cabins.
