Death Valley National Park Campground Information
| Campground | Season | Elevation | Fee | Sites | Water | Tables | Firepits | Toilets | Dump Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace Creek | Open all year Reservations available Oct 15 to April 15 |
-196′ | Standard $25 $12.50 with lifetime pass Hookups $42 $21 with lifetime pass |
136 | yes | yes | yes | flush | yes |
| Sunset | Open Oct 15 to April 15 (first-come/first-served) Closed April 17 to Oct 14 |
-196′ | $16 $8 with lifetime pass |
270 | yes | no | no | flush | yes |
| Texas Springs | Oct 15 to May 10 (first-come/first-served) Closed May 15 to Oct 14 |
sea level | $18 $9 with lifetime pass |
92 | yes | yes | yes | flush | yes |
| Stovepipe Wells | Open Sept 15 to May 10 (first-come/first-served) Closed May 15 to Oct 14 |
sea level | $16 $8 with lifetime pass |
190 | yes | some | some | flush | yes |
| Mesquite Spring | Open all year (first-come/first-served) | 1800′ | $16 $8 with lifetime pass |
30 | yes | yes | yes | flush | yes |
| Emigrant (tents only) | Open all year (first-come/first-served) | 2100′ | free | 10 | yes | yes | no | flush | no |
| Wildrose* | Open all year (first-come/first-served) | 4100′ | free | 23 | yes | yes | yes | pit | no |
| Thorndike** | Open March to November (first-come/first-served) Closed during winter |
7400′ | free | 6 | no | yes | yes | pit | no |
| Mahogany Flat** | Open March to November (first-come/first-served) Closed during winter |
8200′ | free | 10 | no | yes | yes | pit | no |
* Wildrose: Accessible to vehicles no longer than 25 feet.
** Thorndike and Mahogany Flat: Accessible to high clearance vehicles only. Not recommended for trailers. Road conditions may vary.
Death Valley Campground Reservations
Furnace Creek Campground reservations are available October 15 to April 15 by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting recreation.gov. Reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance, but can be made up to 6 months in advance. All unreserved walk-in sites are open first come/first served for a period of 1 night up to 4 nights depending on the next incoming reservation. These opportunities are available in person at the kiosk only. All other National Park camhttps://www.recreation.gov/camping/furnace-creek/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70978pgrounds are first come/first served year round, however the National Park Service reserves the right to reserve sites for management needs for all campgrounds.
Privately operated campgrounds within the park also accept reservations year round at Stovepipe Wells RV Park, Furnace Creek Ranch, and Panamint Springs Resort.
Will there still be a spot? What do I do?
It is very rare for all campgrounds to fill in Death Valley. Sure, all of the “good sites” may be taken during busy times, but there is typically space at Sunset Campground (no tables, hookups, or firepits) even during the busiest of times. The high season is from November through March as well as all holidays from October through May.
Boondocking in Death Valley
Boondocking, also known as dispersed camping, is a great way to experience the solitude and beauty of Death Valley National Park. This type of camping allows you to camp outside of designated campgrounds, typically without any amenities like water, electricity, or sewage disposal.
While boondocking offers more solitude, it’s important to follow Leave No Trace camping principles to protect the natural environment. This means packing out all of your trash, leaving no trace of your campsite, and respecting the wildlife.
BLM Camping near Death Valley
For those who prefer to stay outside of the park, there are Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands nearby where dispersed camping is allowed. These lands offer a different, more solitary experience compared to the campgrounds within the park. As with all outdoor activities, make sure you adhere to Leave No Trace principles and respect the land and wildlife.
Here are some tips for boondocking in Death Valley:
- Do your research. Before you go, check the regulations for the area you’re planning to visit. This will help you avoid any fines or penalties.
- Be prepared. Bring everything you’ll need, including food, water, gear, and a first-aid kit.
- Be respectful of the environment. Leave no trace, and pack out everything you bring in.
- Be aware of the weather. Death Valley can be very hot and dry, so be sure to be prepared for the elements.
Boondocking in Death Valley can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to be prepared and respectful of the environment. By following these tips, you can help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
Regulations
Campsites are limited to no more than eight people and two vehicles or one recreational vehicle per site. Larger groups wishing to camp together can reserve group sites at the Furnace Creek Campground.
Campfires: All vegetation in the park is protected. Firewood is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells General Stores, or you can bring your own supply. Charcoal producing fires may only be made in NPS fire pits. All stoves and grills must be gas burning. Fires are prohibited in the summer months (June 15-September 15) or other periods of high fire danger at Mahogany Flat, Thorndike, and Wildrose Campgrounds.
Camping Limits: Furnace Creek Campground has a limit of 14 days per calendar year. The rest of Death Valley National Park has a 30-day per calendar year camping limit.
Generator hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Generators are prohibited in Texas Springs Campground, except from April 16 to May 15 in the upper loop from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pets: Pets must never be left unattended. There is a maximum limit of 4 pets per campsite and pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Pet owners are responsible for cleanup and cleanup supplies.
Hookups
Furnace Creek Campground has only 18 sites with full hookups. It is very rare to have the opportunity to stay in on of these sites without reservations. In the case where a hookup site is not reserved, it is open for a very brief period before the next incoming reservation arrives. RV hookup sites are also available at the concession-run Stovepipe Wells RV Park and the privately owned Furnace Creek Ranch and Panamint Springs Resort.
Resources
- National Park Service – Death Valley National Park URL: https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm This is the official website for the Death Valley National Park. Linking to this site can provide users with direct access to accurate, reliable information about the park, its rules, and its amenities.
- Recreation.gov – Furnace Creek Campground URL: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232496 This is the official site for making campground reservations in the United States, including for Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley. Linking to this site can provide users with a trustworthy source for making their reservations.
- Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics URL: https://lnt.org/ This organization is the most trusted source for information on practicing “Leave No Trace” principles while camping or enjoying other outdoor activities. Linking to this site can provide users with important information on how to camp responsibly.
- Bureau of Land Management – Camping on Public Lands near Death Valley URL: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/camping The Bureau of Land Management oversees a vast amount of public lands in the United States where dispersed camping is allowed. Linking to this site can provide users with authoritative information about camping on BLM lands near Death Valley.
- National Weather Service – Death Valley Weather Forecast URL: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.5054&lon=-117.0794#.YP4i49NKjOQ This is the official weather forecast for Death Valley from the U.S. National Weather Service. It can provide reliable, up-to-date weather information to help campers plan their trip.
Featured image by: faungg’s photos via flickr