Death Valley has nine designated front-country campgrounds. All campsites, except those at Furnace Creek, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Furnace Creek, Sunset, and Texas Spring Campgrounds are located on CA-190 near Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Showers are not available, but you can shower at Furnace Creek Ranch’s pool building for a nominal fee.
Stovepipe Wells has a National Park Service-run campground and a concessioner-run RV Park. A pool and showers are available to all campers for a nominal fee. Farther west on CA-190 is Emigrant Campground, the only free campground with flush toilets and water, but there are just ten, tent-only sites. Continuing south on Emigrant Canyon Road leads up the Panamint Range. Located along the last five miles of road are three campgrounds: Wildrose, Thorndike, and Mahogany Flat. These are excellent locations if you want to escape the heat of the valley floor, as temperatures are typically 10°F cooler at Wildrose and 20°F cooler at Mahogany Flat. If you’re interested in climbing Telescope Peak, spend the night at Thorndike or Mahogany Flat. Extreme weather conditions close these campgrounds from December through April. Lodging is available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs (see the table below).
Campground | Open | Fee | Sites | Location/Notes
Furnace Creek* | All Year | $18 | 136 | Just north of the Visitor Center • W, F, DS
Sunset | October – April | $12 | 270 | In Furnace Creek, west side of CA-190 • W, F, DS
Texas Spring | October – April | $14 | 106 | Just west of Sunset Camp • W, F, DS
Stovepipe Wells | October – April | $12 | 190 | In Stovepipe Wells Village • W, F, DS
Mesquite Spring (favorite) | All Year | $12 | 30 | On Scotty’s Castle Road near Grapevine • W, F, DS
Emigrant (tent-only) | All Year | Free | 10 | West of Stovepipe Wells Village • W, F
Wildrose | All Year | Free | 23 | South of Emigrant on Emigrant Canyon Rd • W, P
Thorndike | March – November | Free | 6 | East of Wildrose, access to Telescope Peak • P
Mahogany Flat | March – November | Free | 10 | East of Wildrose, access to Telescope Peak • P
W = Water, F = Flush Toilets, P = Pit Toilets, DS = Dump Station
RV hook-ups are only available at concessioner-run Stovepipe Wells RV Park and privately owned Panamint Springs Resort
Backcountry Camping is allowed in the backcountry as long as you camp at least two miles away from any developed area, paved road, or day-use only area. Free voluntary permits are recommended.
Group Camping*: Two group campsites are available at Furnace Creek Campground (40 people, 10 vehicle capacity)
*Reservations can be made up to six months in advance by calling (877) 444-6777 or clicking www.recreation.gov
Death Valley Lodging
Stovepipe Wells Village (760) 786-2387 | All Year | $80 – 145 + tax & fees | Centrally located with pool and wi-fi • Full hook-up RV sites for $30/night • www.escapetodeathvalley.com
Furnace Creek Inn (800) 236-7916 (favorite) | mid-October – Mother’s Day | $335 – 455 + tax & fees | Fine dining, swimming pool, tennis courts, massage therapy, and an oasis garden • www.furnacecreekresort.com
Furnace Creek Ranch (800) 236-7916 | All Year | $134 – 219 + tax & fees | Features 224 guest units, 3 restaurants, a saloon, swimming pool, and golf course • www.furnacecreekresort.com
Panamint Springs Resort (775) 482-7680 | All Year | $79 – 149 + tax & fees | 10 – 15°F cooler than valley lodging facilities • Full hook-up RV sites for $30/night • www.deathvalley.com/psr