Camping opportunities near Death Valley National Park range from established campgrounds to primitive dispersed sites across California's eastern desert landscape. Furnace Creek Campground provides year-round access with full hookups for RVs and tent sites, while Stovepipe Wells offers a central location with basic amenities and proximity to the Mesquite Dunes. Several mixed-use campgrounds including Texas Springs and Emigrant accommodate both tents and recreational vehicles. The Alabama Hills Recreation Area west of Lone Pine offers free dispersed camping with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Road conditions and extreme temperatures significantly impact camping viability throughout the region. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 120°F in the valley, making higher-elevation sites like Wildrose Campground more suitable during warmer months. "This is tent only but I've slept in my small truck camper here and many sleep in vans or vehicles. Water is not potable year round, will be deemed not potable and/or shut off mid-May," noted one visitor about Emigrant Campground. Most developed campgrounds close during summer months, while those that remain open provide limited services. Cell service is nearly non-existent throughout the park, with spotty coverage reported only at Stovepipe Wells. Visitors should carry ample water supplies, as potable water is limited to major developed campgrounds.
Campers frequently mention the stark beauty and exceptional stargazing opportunities from Death Valley's developed campgrounds and surrounding public lands. The region's International Dark Sky designation delivers unparalleled night sky viewing. Many reviews highlight temperature considerations when planning trips. A camper at Stovepipe Wells described it as "basically camping in a dirt and asphalt parking lot with no shade," emphasizing the need for portable shelters. Wind exposure presents challenges at most valley-floor locations, with several reviewers recommending proper tent securing measures. Furnace Creek receives high marks for its amenities and central location, while those seeking solitude often prefer the more primitive conditions at dispersed sites along backcountry roads where visitors can experience complete silence and unobstructed desert vistas.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
"The place is nice and near the musquito dunes. There is a shop at waking distance and a gas station. This is inside death valley National Park.
Most of the campground is rvs.""It serves its purpose as a place to stay near the dunes. Nothing more. The Stovepipe Village is right next to the campground. There’s a general store, a motel and a saloon."
"summer. no one else ever showed up either. just a few cars drove by every now and then. we were exhausted so we just opened a couple windows to the car rather than set up our tent. toilets were within walking"
"Just to the left of the main road, this campground is a simple gravel lot with about ten unmarked spots around the perimeter. It was pretty full and we took the last open spot."
$30 - $60 / night
"Perfect base camp for exploring Death Valley National Park."
"Location is amazing. There’s a gas station and general store close by to pick up any supplies you’d need."
"Furnace Creek is adjacent to the Visitor Center and the Furnace Creek Inn. It’s within walking distance of both places. The Texas Spring Campground is on a hill above Furnace Creek. "
"Great scenery surrounding the campground. Modern toilet/sink facilities and potable water."
"We stopped here on our way home from Northern California to Arkansas, it was a bit of a random stop but we were tired of driving and found this place."
"This is a free small campground, close to charcoal kilns and west entrance."
"There’s a sign at the beginning of the trail that says something along the lines of “no camping within one mile of the road” (I forgot to add a photo, so please leave more info on this if you camp here"
$40 / night
"General store behind the campground with easy access to gas and bathrooms make this a nice spot. Popularity makes it a little crowded but still quiet"
"Not a bad stop for staying in the park, with easy access to supplies, if neeeded."
$15 - $75 / night
"There was a water spigot in between our site and the one next to us. There is a gas station across the road from the campground."
"It is easy access to Surprise Canyon, Middle Field, and some of the remaining mines in the area."
"It'll be close to other RVs and the campground itself isn't pretty, but it is surrounded by beautiful hills."
"I could hear every conversation around us. Not a great view, but it’s right next to a convenient store and close to the sand dunes."
GuideDump, trash, water, and bathhouses … all that’s missing is electric! A great deal for $18 a night. Camp host is diligent about checking for receipts - don’t forget to pay at the kiosk. Sites easily fit our 43 ft fifth wheel. Close together but not an issue for us with most of the campground wiiiide open in late March/early April
ScoutBeautiful, quiet campground. Great views of the Whitney Portal and Owens Valley. No water in early April. Sites are free of trash and pretty well maintained.
LegendThis is a huge flat gravelly site just outside of Death Valley that could easily accommodate 100 large RVs, 100 small RVs, and 100 tents. There are many concrete pads or you can park on the flat gravelly landscape. There are scattered fire rings, but no available wood, and no services. Amazing stars! A great place to stop before seeing Death Valley.
LegendWe hit Death Valley during a heatwave, so the cooler temperatures at 5,000 ft were a blessing. Sites are free, first come first serve, but latecomers frequently fill in between designated campsites. Unfortunately Thornapple Road is closed which means you have to go back down Emigrant Canyon to leave. Emigrant. Canyon Road has a length restriction of 25 ft, due to sharp turns and steep grade. No T-Mobile coverage. A single vault toilet, but plenty of trash cans.
LegendNear the Mount Whitney portal, and also near the turnoff to death valley. Full hookups well run campground. The Wi-Fi is weak but good enough for text and email. Was greeted by very helpful staff. Nice store for camping necessities. Quiet. Big park.
GuideA lot of spaces to fit large rvs. No generators permitted. If it’s hot there is no way to stay cool if you need a generator. Rest rooms ok.
GuideI'm a remote worker and I was hoping to camp here for a few days but I could not get a T-Mobile signal. Only at the beginning of going up the road. Did I get signal.
GuideGreat spot just off highway 190. Old, abandoned RV park with cement pads. Sites are huge. Very clean.
LegendAfter following a dirt road for 2 mi and another mile on the salt Flats, you arrive in Ballarat a mining ghost town with a couple of Adobe ruins and a campground, with no services on private land, requesting a $2 donation per night per vehicle for camping. Bring your own everything, although there is a small convenience and gift store, that sells wood, soft drinks, bottled water and a few sundries. This is how those B movie horror films start out. Seriously though, nothing really sketchy. A nice group of campers who had off-roaded in over the Paramint Mountains we're hanging out on the porch of the trading post, just like in the olden days.
Death Valley camping experiences vary widely across 3.4 million acres of diverse terrain, from gravel parking lot-style campgrounds to secluded backcountry sites at higher elevations. The national park's campgrounds span elevation ranges from 196 feet below sea level to over 4,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between locations. Camping availability changes dramatically by season with most established campgrounds operating only from late fall through spring.
Explore charcoal kilns: Visit the Wildrose Kilns accessible via dirt roads from Wildrose Campground. "Close to the kilns. Was a good spot to stage to explore this part of the park," notes one camper. The historic beehive-shaped structures provide cultural and historical context to the region.
Day trip to Lone Pine: Take a scenic drive west to Alabama Hills Recreation Area for dramatically different landscapes. "Easily one of my favorite places! The views here are like nothing else, perfect place without reception, fresh mountain air away from everything and yet close to a cute little town for chili cheese nachos or tackle," shares a visitor. The area sits beneath Mt. Whitney with unique rock formations and photography opportunities.
Visit Darwin Falls: This year-round waterfall offers a surprising contrast to Death Valley's arid landscape. "The area is BLM and land in trust of Friends of the Inyo... It is easy access to Surprise Canyon, Middle Field, and some of the remaining mines in the area," explains a camper at Panamint Springs. The one-mile hike to the falls requires crossing several small streams.
Higher elevation camping: Texas Springs Campground sits above the valley floor providing better views and more moderate temperatures. "This campground has some gorgeous views as you are elevated off of the valley floor. Nice bathrooms and the sites are pretty big," reports one visitor. The upper loop accommodates both tents and RVs.
Availability during peak season: Sunset Campground functions as the overflow option when other sites fill up. "We stayed here on a Friday in late March only because Furnace Creek and Texas Springs were both full by 5 PM. It is just a big gravel lot with sites defined by paint stripes on the ground," mentions a camper who still found it "a beautiful spot to watch the sunset and the mountains all around."
Seasonal pool access: At Stovepipe Wells Village RV Park, guests can escape the heat. "We stayed recently when it was 116 during the day, but since the sites had electric, we gave it a shot... The pool across the street was actually cold at night, even though the air temp was 90, so that was great," notes one summer visitor.
Prepare for wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report desert wildlife sightings. "Sleeping off the ground or in a tent is a must as we catch lots of sidewinders and scorpions every year in the campsite," warns a visitor to Panamint Springs. Other campers mention coyotes and kangaroo mice.
Limited seasonal water access: At Emigrant Campground, water availability varies. "Water is not potable year round, will be deemed not potable and/or shut off mid-May per convo with NPS employee. Fill at Stovepipe, Panamint, or elsewhere in summer," advises one regular visitor.
Wind exposure: High winds present challenges throughout the park. "Take care of your stuff. I've saved multiple tents here that weren't properly secured while their owners were out for the day," reports an Emigrant Campground visitor. Some campers report experiencing sudden dust storms that forced them to relocate to their vehicles.
Book ahead for cooler sites: Higher elevation campgrounds provide more moderate temperatures for family camping. "The campsite is at 2000 feet so cooler than bottom and way less crowded," notes a visitor to Emigrant Campground who found it ideal for biking on side roads with children.
Pool day pass options: Furnace Creek Campground offers recreational facilities nearby. "Here's the best deal, for 10$ per person you get a pool and shower pass for all day! The pool is awesome, spring fed warm water. The showers have massive pressure with hot water," shares one camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening wildlife sightings can engage children. "One memorable thing about this campground was hearing burros during the night. It wasn't loud, but we could hear them off in the distance. Something I have never experienced while camping!" reports a visitor to Wildrose Campground.
Reserve hookups in advance: RV spots with utilities are limited and concentrated at specific campgrounds. "The Stovepipe Wells Village RV park is a different (and privately owned) RV campground nearly adjacent to the NPS-run Stovepipe Wells Campground. Open year-round, this is one of the priciest places to stay in Death Valley charging $40 a night for a parking lot drive in site with hookups."
Electrical reliability varies: Some campers report issues with electrical hookups. "The first two sites we tried had bad electrical setups. The breakers wouldn't lock in place, and kept flipping back to the tripped/open state," notes an RVer at Stovepipe Wells Village RV Park.
Fuel up outside the park: Gas prices within Death Valley exceed those in surrounding areas. "Gas here was almost 2$ cheaper than in Furnace Creek (about 25 miles away)," reports a visitor comparing Stovepipe Wells to other park locations. Fill up in gateway communities like Beatty where prices can be "a whole dollar cheaper per gal."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Death Valley National Park?
Furnace Creek Campground — Death Valley National Park is widely considered the premier campground in the park. Located just a quarter mile from the visitor center, it offers the perfect base camp for exploring Death Valley. Some sites feature shade trees and the campground provides easy access to park services. For those seeking a more centrally located option, Stovepipe Wells Campground — Death Valley National Park offers convenience to attractions like Mesquite Dunes and has nearby amenities including a shop and gas station. This first-come, first-served campground tends to have availability even during busy periods. For those seeking solitude, the park also offers backcountry camping options with stunning views and fewer crowds.
Can I camp in an RV at Death Valley National Park?
Death Valley National Park accommodates RVs at several campgrounds. Sunset Campground — Death Valley National Park offers a large, flat parking-lot style area that works well for RVs of all sizes, though it lacks hookups. For those wanting full hookups, Stovepipe Wells Village RV Park — Death Valley National Park provides RV-specific amenities. Many campers note that Stovepipe Wells area is dominated by RVs and provides good access to park attractions. Just outside the park, Space Station RV Park serves as a convenient base camp for exploring Death Valley. When planning an RV trip, be aware that summer temperatures can be extreme, making proper cooling systems essential.
When is the best time for camping in Death Valley National Park?
The ideal time for camping in Death Valley National Park is from late fall through early spring (November to March) when temperatures are moderate and comfortable. Winter camping at Texas Springs Campground — Death Valley National Park offers pleasant daytime temperatures for exploring. For a unique experience, February and March occasionally bring spectacular wildflower blooms. Avoid summer camping (May through September) when temperatures regularly exceed 110°F (43°C), creating potentially dangerous conditions. If visiting during shoulder seasons, Wildrose Campground — Death Valley National Park at higher elevation offers cooler temperatures than valley floor locations. Always check weather forecasts before your trip and bring appropriate gear for temperature fluctuations.
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