Overview

For the most part, developed campgrounds in Death Valley must an embarrassment to the National Park Service. Granted, there is little in the way of natural landscape to work with, but it would seem that a barren parking lot is beneath the expectations of most National Park campers. That said, some campgrounds are better than others, and to be honest, some campgrounds are designed for the RV crowd who require little more than a parking space (but I'm sure even some of them would like a picnic table).

For prices, reservation, and other details, see the Death Valley website for current information. Overflow camping is available at Sunset Campground, and backcountry car camping is permitted in most of the hinterlands.

Emigrant Campground

Located in the west-central part of the park at about 2,000 feet elevation, Emigrant Campground is a quiet place that tends to be cooler than valley-floor campgrounds. Emigrant is tents-only, and usually RVs with noisy generators stay away, but I've never seen one kicked out.

This is a small, tightly packed campground with only 10 sites. Water is available from a single faucet, and flush toilets are a 5-minute walk from the campsites.

Furnace Creek Campground

Located in the heart of the main valley-floor area at nearly 200 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek Campground is the main camp in the park. Reservations are accepted for the 136 tent, RV, and group campsites. Flush toilets and water faucets are located throughout the camp area. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, and some sites have trees for shade.

This campground is located adjacent to the Visitor Center, which is convenient for those wishing to attend indoor evening programs (cool in summer, warm in winter).

Mesquite Springs Campground

Located in the northern part of the park at 1,800 feet elevation, Mesquite Springs Campground is cooler than valley-floor campgrounds. Reservations are not accepted for the 30 tent and RV campsites. Flush toilets and water faucets are located in the camp area. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring; none has shade or utilities.

This campground is conveniently located for visitors wishing to visit Scotty's Castle, the Ubehebe Crater complex, the Racetrack area, and points farther north in the park.

Stovepipe Wells Campground

Located in the central area of the park at about sea level, Stovepipe Wells Campground primarily is an RV camp with a few sites on the edge of the dirt parking lot set aside for tents. Reservations are not accepted for the 190 campsites. Flush toilets and water faucets are located at the restroom. Picnic tables and fire rings are only provided for the tent campsites. No shade.

Sunset Campground

Located in the heart of the main valley-floor area at nearly 200 feet below sea level, Sunset Campground is the main RV camp in the park. Reservations are not accepted for the 270 RV campsites. Flush toilets and water faucets are located throughout the camp area. No picnic tables, no fire rings, no hook-ups.

Auxiliary parking lots are used for overflow tent and RV campsites during peak visitation season.

Texas Spring Campground

Located on the edge of the heart of the main valley-floor area at about sea level, Texas Spring Campground is one of the main campgrounds in the park. Reservations are not accepted for the 92 campsites, but RVs and tents are restricted to separate sections. Flush toilets and water faucets are located throughout the camp area. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There is very little shade, but the camp is located in a canyon that provides some morning and afternoon shade, plus some relief from the wind.

Wildrose Campground

Located high in the Panamint Range at 4,100 ft elevation, this campground is considerably cooler than valley-floor campgrounds, but it is also a long way from valley-floor attractions. Accessible by paved road, this campground is closed during the snowy winter season. Twenty-three sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. No shade.

Mahogany Flat Campground

Located very high in the Panamint Range at 8,200 ft elevation, this campground is cold compared to valley-floor campgrounds, but it is also a long way from valley-floor attractions. Accessible by rough dirt road (sometimes requiring a 4WD vehicle), this campground is closed during the snowy winter season. Ten sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Pinyon pine provide natural shade.

Thorndike Campground

Located very high in the Panamint Range at 7,400 ft elevation, this campground is cold compared to valley-floor campgrounds, but it is also a long way from valley-floor attractions. Accessible in 2WD-HC vehicles (I could not make it in our sedan) via a narrow dirt road, this campground is closed during the snowy winter season. Six sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Pinyon pine provide natural shade.