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. There is only one NPS campground in the park that is reservable. All other NPS campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
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.
Furnace Creek Campground is open year-round and offers 136 sites (45 tent-only), eight of which are ADA accessible. Eighteen sites have electric hookups (30/50 amp). Season dates for when reservations are required through recreation.gov: January 1 - April 15, 2026 and October 15 - December 31, 2026. During the hottest part of the year, which runs between these two reservation-only seasons, the campground reduces sites to 41 first-come, first-served. A standard tent/RV site is $30 per night, full hookup tent/RV sites are $44 ($30 plus a $14 utility fee). Senior/Access passholders receive a discount on the full hookup sites (but not on the utility fee). There are five group sites: three sites for 9-15 people and four vehicles for $40 per night (no discount) and two sites for 9 - 40 people for $60 per night (no discount). According to recreation.gov, the maximum RV length is 100 feet, so this campground is certainly big rig-friendly. Drinking water, dump station, camp store, trash collection, and flush toilets are available year-round.
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 is open seasonally, mid-late October through April 15th and offers 106 sites (26 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. Sites are first-come, first-served at $20 per night (Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount). The site fee is paid at pay stations at the front of the campground and in the upper loop. No generators are allowed. Maximum RV/trailer length: 35 feet/25 feet. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate. Drinking water, dump station, trash collection, and flush toilets are available seasonally.
Sunset Campground is open seasonally, mid-late October through mid April and 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. Sites go for $18 per night and are first-come, first-served and rarely fill up. Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount. 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. Maximum RV/trailer length: 60 feet/50 feet. There is a camp store open year-round. Drinking water, dump station, trash collection, and flush toilets are available seasonally.
Stovepipe Wells Campground offers 190 sites (28 tent-only) and sits at sea level. While all sites are ADA friendly, no site is strictly designated ADA. The dirt and gravel road is flat and the restroom has an ADA stall. Open seasonally between late fall through April 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. Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount. There are no RV length restrictions for this campground. Drinking water, dump station, and flush toilets are available seasonally; camp store and trash collection are available year-round.
Emigrant Campground, the water system, and restrooms have been closed since late August 2025 due to flood damage. The damage to the 5-mile-long water pipe and associated water system is substantial and there is no estimated repair date.
When open, this 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. Drinking water, trash collection, and flush toilets are available year-round.
Wildrose Campground is another site for those hoping to flee the heat, thanks to its 4,100-foot (1,250 m) elevation. Open year-round, the 23 sites are first-come, first-served and there's no charge. This campground is located 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) south of Stovepipe Wells Village on the Trona-Wildrose Road, and you'll have access to picnic tables, fire pits, and pit toilets. This campground is prone to high winds. Maximum RV/trailer length 25 feet/10 feet.
Traveler's Note: There is no water available at Wildrose Campground. The closest source of water is approximately 30 miles north at Stovepipe Wells.
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. RVs and trailers are permitted but no size limitation is noted. Nightly cost: $20 (Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount).
Traveler's Note: According to the NPS webpage for camping, this campground is closed due to previous flooding events that occurred in 2024. Other sites indicate the campground as being open.
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 feet (2,256 meters) above sea level and offers six sites, is first-come, first-served, and is typically open mid-April through December, weather permitting. RVs and trailers are not permitted. Nightly cost: free.
Mahogany Flat Campground sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet (2,499 meters) above sea level and offers nine sites, all first-come, first-served. Open in both summer and fall, it's usually closed in winter due to snow and ice. RV/trailer maximum length 25 feet/12 feet. Nightly cost: free.
Eureka Dunes Campground is a remote site at an elevation of 2,88 feet (878 meters) above sea level and is located at the base of Eureka Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in California. Open year-round, these seven sites are first-come, first-served. Summer camping is not recommended due to the extreme high temperatures. RVs and trailers are permitted but no size limitations are noted. Nightly cost: free.
Homestake Campground is an extremely remote primitive campground located at an elevation of 3,785 feet (~1,154 meters) above sea level. 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). RVs/trailers are not permitted.
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 (56.3 kilometers) from the nearest paved road sit at an elevation of 1,375 feet (419 meters) above sea level. You do have to navigate either North Pass at 7,300 feet (2,225 meters) or South Pass at 5,997 feet (1,828 meters), 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 per night. Senior/Access passholders receive a 50 percent discount.
The Oasis at Death Valley Fiddlers' Campground is operated by Xanterra and adjacent to the Ranch at Death Valley. This campground offers 35 sites at a nightly rate anywhere from $29 to $34, depending upon the time of year. No more than one tent is allowed at each site and all sites are back-in only. These sites are basically long parking spaces side-by-side. The maximum length for RVs is 50 feet and there are no hookups. A single tent may also be set up at these sites. Pads are not needed beneath jacks or stabilizers. Tow cars or other vehicles may be parked in the adjacent Ranch or golf course parking lot. Shower facilities are located at the Ranch's pool.
Traveler's Note: If your dates are flexible, you can see the prices for every day of the month by choosing "Flexible Dates" when making your reservation.
Panamint Springs Resort offers small and large tent cabins ($65 - $85 per night). Pets are allowed in the tent cabins for an additional $5 per pet per night. There are 22 tent sites ($15 per night), 26 RV dry sites (no hookups) for a cost of $30 per night, and six full hookup (30/50 amp) RV sites ($60 per night). There is a group site that will accommodate up to 30 people and 7 tents for $55 per night. All sites have fire pits and most sites have picnic tables. Of the dry RV sites, only nine may be reserved in advance; the remaining sites are first-come, first-served. Pets at RV or tent sites are allowed for an extra $5 per pet for the duration of the stay (as opposed to per night with the tent cabins). Showers are included with the site fee for all campsites and tent cabins.
Group reservations and parties can be arranged through email at [email protected]
View the resort and campsite map.
Backcountry Camping
Dispersed/backcountry camping is permitted in some areas of the park. Click the link above to find out more about the park's backcountry camping rules.
- By Kurt Repanshek - April 17th, 2026 2:40pm
