If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, consider camping in Death Valley. Death Valley is a popular U.S. National Park located in the Mojave Desert of California.
It’s known for its extreme temperatures and barren landscapes. But despite its harsh conditions, Death Valley is a beautiful place to camp, with plenty of hiking, biking, and sightseeing opportunities. The coolest campgrounds in the summer months are Mesquite Spring, Emigrant, and Wildrose.
Keep in mind that many of these campgrounds are closed in the summer months because of the extremely high temperatures. Even overnight, it can be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are visiting during the summer, please be aware of the heat and take necessary safety precautions.
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Best Death Valley Campgrounds
Campgrounds open in the summer are all first-come, first-served, and there are no camp hosts. Here are 9 of the best campgrounds in Death Valley National Park.
1. Mahogany Flats Campground
One of the best primitive campgrounds in Death Valley National Park is the Mahogany Flats Campground. It is located in a beautiful forest at 8,200 feet above sea level with stunning views of Death Valley.
The Mahogany Flats Campground is close to the Telescope Peak Trailhead and has 9 total sites available.
There is no cell or internet coverage here and you will need to be self-contained. There is no potable water here.
This campground has a max RV length size of 25 feet. It is a good idea to bring a vehicle with high clearance and possibly 4×4 capabilities.
2. Thorndike Campground
Thorndike is another one of the primitive campgrounds in Death Valley National Park. It is highly recommended you have a 4×4 vehicle and a high-clearance vehicle.
The maximum length coming into this campground is 25 feet. There are six sites at this small first-come, first-serve campground.
The Thorndike Campground has some amenities available so you will need to plan on being completely self-sufficient. There is no cell coverage, potable water, or dump station.
3. Wildrose Campground
Wildrose Campground is a great place to go camping in Death Valley National Park. The campground has a lot of campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table.
The campground is located in a beautiful setting, with mountains all around. It’s the perfect place to go camping with your family or friends in the Panamint Mountains.
This campground has a max RV length size of 25 feet. There is potable water on site but no dump station. You can use your generators from 7 am to 7 pm.
There are 23 first-come, first-served campsites here. There is no cell phone coverage or internet connection at the Wildrose Campground.
4. Emigrant Campground
At Emigrant Campground, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and sightseeing.
The campground is open in the summer months, but there are no camp hosts. It’s a first-come, first-served campground with 10 sites available.
Emigrant Campground is next to the CA 190 with an elevation of 2100′ feet which makes it a bit cooler than other areas of the park.
You can expect to find beautiful views of the Cottonwood Mountains here. This campground only allows tents.
RVs are not allowed. There is a building with a bathroom about 250 feet outside the campground.
5. Furnace Creek Campground
The Furnace Creek Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Death Valley National Park. It’s open all year round, and it has a host of amenities, including restrooms, showers, and a general store.
The Furnace Creek Campground is one of the campgrounds closest to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. The campground is also close to several attractions, including the Furnace Creek Inn and Visitor Center, Dante’s View, and Badwater Basin.
There is cell phone reception at this park as you should be able to make calls or send texts, but your phone will not connect to the internet.
If you are bringing an RV, there is a dumpsite available but no laundry or firewood sales. This is also the only NPS campground in Death Valley National Park where you can make a reservation.
The dates open up 6 months ahead of time. Furnace Creek Campground can accommodate vehicles up to 100 feet. Not all campsites are this large so make sure to pay attention to each individual site’s length.
This is the only NPS campground that has RV sites with full hookups. There are 18 sites available with full hookups.
There are also tent and dry RV sites available. The nearby Furnace Creek Gas Station sells propane if you need to fill up your RV propane tanks.
6. Sunset Campground
Sunset Campground in Death Valley National Park offers a serene and picturesque camping experience.
This campground is located near the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, and it offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, biking, and sightseeing.
The Sunset Campground is open all year round. There is cell phone coverage here but no internet connectivity.
If you have forgotten something, there is a camp store open year-round however they do not sell ice or firewood.
There are no RV restrictions in this campground. There is a dump station and potable water available.
Sunset Campground is open seasonally starting on October 24. It is first-come, first-served but it doesn’t fill up very often because there are 230 sites available.
So if you’re looking for an amazing outdoor adventure, consider camping at the Sunset Campground in Death Valley National Park!
7. Stovepipe Wells Campground
The Stovepipe Wells Campground is a great place to camp if you’re looking for many nearby amenities.
It is right next to the Stovepipe Wells General Store and the ranger station. There are 190 sites here.
The Stovepipe Wells Campground is open all seasonally starting October 15th and has a host of amenities, including firewood and ice sales, a dump station, and a general store.
The Stovepipe Wells Campground can accommodate vehicles up to 50 feet. Not all campsites are this large, so make sure to pay attention to each individual site’s length.
This campground fills up pretty quickly, so make sure to reserve your spot ahead of time!
8. Texas Springs Campground
The Texas Springs Campground is a beautiful campground located in Death Valley National Park.
It’s one of the oldest campgrounds in the park, and it has a rich history dating back to the 1920s. This campground is located in a picturesque valley near the Amargosa River and has 92 sites, 26 being tent-only.
It’s a great place to camp if you’re looking for peace and quiet, and it offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking.
The Texas Springs Campground is open all year round, and it accommodates both RVs and tents.
There are no hookups available, so make sure your RV batteries are charged, but there is a dump station on site.
This campground is open seasonally, starting on October 15. This is a first-come, first-served campground. Generators are not allowed at Texas Springs Campground.
9. Mesquite Spring Campground
If you are wanting to spend time in the northern part of Death Valley, the Mesquite Spring Campground is a convenient and beautiful place to camp.
It is about 2 miles from Scotty’s Castle Road and sits at 1,800 feet. This makes it cooler in the summer months compared to other sections of the park. There are no RV hook-ups here, but each site does have a fire grate and picnic table.
There is a dump station and potable water. There are 40 campsites here, and staff is available seasonally to help with any questions.
This is a beautiful campground to pull out your camp chairs and enjoy the natural beauty in Death Valley National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth camping in Death Valley?
Yes, it is definitely worth camping in Death Valley. The scenery is breathtaking and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.
Not to mention, the campgrounds are affordable and offer a wide variety of amenities. Staying at one of the Death Valley campgrounds is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Death Valley.
Is it safe to camp in Death Valley?
Generally, it is safe to camp in Death Valley as long as you take the necessary precautions.
Make sure to bring plenty of water, be aware of weather conditions, and follow all park regulations.
It is also important to let someone know where you will be camping and when you are planning on returning from your camping trip.
Do the Death Valley campgrounds fill up?
The more popular Death Valley campgrounds do fill up, especially if you are going in an RV and are looking for full hookups.
Those RV campsites fill up 6 months in advance. However, there are lots of great campsites that are first-come, first-serve that do not fill up.
If you are willing to be flexible with the campground that you stay at, you should be able to find a camping site.
Is there free camping in Death Valley?
There are lots of great free camping sites in Death Valley National Park. Boondocking in Death Valley is allowed as long as you stay one mile away from any paved road and one mile from any day-use dirt road.
Racetrack Road is a great place to head near a dry lake bed, but 4×4 rigs are required. Upper Wildrose Road is a great area in the higher elevations near lots of trailheads and charcoal kilns.
The Pleasant Canyon Road is also a great place for free camping with great views of the Butte Valley.
Final Thoughts
Death Valley National Park is a beautiful place to camp, with plenty of different campgrounds to choose from.
No matter what type of camping you prefer, or which part of the park you would like to stay in, there is a campground that will be perfect for you.
Keep an eye on the weather and always be prepared with enough water and sun protection. Check out these any of these Death Valley campgrounds on your next trip!
This post was written by guest writer, Candice Steele. Candice Steele is a published travel writer who loves traveling in the United States in an RV with her family. You can most commonly find her hiking in the national parks, climbing lighthouses, and playing at the beach.
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