Best Campgrounds In Death Valley

Death Valley is a very popular destination with campers, but once you get there you have so much choice when it comes to which campground to use!

We have put together this list of some of the best campgrounds to help you choose the best one for you.

1. Furnace Creek Campground

Furnace Creek Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Death Valley. It has 150 sites, 18 of which have hookups.

The rest of the sites are for dry camping so you will need to prepare for this when you pack for the trip. However, Furnace Creek has a visitor’s center with a fresh water refill. There are no showers, but there are flushable toilets on the campsite.

The 150 spaces can be reserved in advance and fill up very quickly- sometimes up to 6 months in advance during peak times.

It is worth the effort to make sure you get one of these spots – they are well spaced out so the campsite doesn’t feel overcrowded. Each spot has its own picnic table and fire ring. There are some spots with trees nearby to provide some shade.

2. Sunset Valley Campground

If you are on a spontaneous trip and you haven’t had a chance to book a spot then you can usually find space in Sunset Valley.

It serves as an overflow campsite and is very basic – there are no shaded areas and no picnic tables, and the only fire rings are large group ones. It is better for RV campers who have more of their own private space, but you can still use the campground if you have a tent.

There is access to water and there are flushing toilets, but there are no showers on the campground. There are 270 spaces available on a first come first serve basis.

3. Texas Springs Campground

This campground is just a few minutes drive away from Furnace Creek that we mentioned earlier. It has no reservations, so the spots are allocated on a first come first serve basis. There are 115 camping spots, none of which have hook ups, so make sure you bring plenty of water.

You can use the spots for tents or RVs, but the use of generators is forbidden at this particular campground. Texas Springs is ideal if you are looking for a campground that has a bit more shade.

Each spot has its own picnic table and fire ring. This campground is only open at certain times of year, so be sure to check before you make the trip.

4. Fiddler’s Camp

If you are looking for a campground that has more amenities available then this privately owned ‘resort’ might be a good option. It has a laundry room, wifi access, and a pool.

It also has a tennis court, a basketball court, volleyball and shuffleboard. There is access to drinking water and flushing toilets. There are showers by the pool that guests can use.

There are some potential downsides to this campground. It is more expensive than the national park campgrounds because it is privately owned.

There are communal picnic areas and fire rings, but the individual spots are very basic. There are no hookups available. Generators can be run throughout the day and night but all other noise must be stopped from 11pm until 7am.

5. Stovepipe Wells Campground

This is a large campground with 190 spots, 20 of which are tent only. It is basically a dirt lot and there are very few shady areas, but it is good for last minute camping trips and is easy to access from Highway 395.

The spots are available on a first come first serve basis but it rarely reaches capacity. Some of the spots have picnic tables and fire grates, but not all of them. If you show up late on a Friday you might end up with one of the worse spots.

There are toilets, but no showers. However, you can pay a small amount to use the pool and the showers at Stovepipe Wells hotel close by.

If you have an RV you might want to consider the privately owned Stovepipe Wells RV Park, with 14 spaces for RVs and use of the pool included in your fee.

Each spot has full hookups and you also get access to wifi. There is also a restaurant and a saloon that you can visit.

6. Mesquite Springs

If you want a more peaceful, quiet spot for your camping trip then you should consider Mesquite Springs. It is a basic campground that is quite far away from any visitors centers or the more popular hiking trails.

It is an ideal place for stargazing, and it is at a higher elevation than some of the more crowded campgrounds which means it will be cooler in the summer months.

There are 40 spaces for tents or RVs, each with a picnic table and a fire ring. The ground has a dump site but no hookups.

7. Wildrose Campground

This campground has 23 spaces for tents, RVS or car campers. There are no hookups, but you can run generators from 7am to 7pm. There is a very scenic but winding road to get to this campsite which sits at an elevation of 4100 feet in the Panamint Mountains.

This will mean cooler temperatures during the day which is ideal in summer, but it can drop quite cold at night. There are also high winds in the area, so make sure you take this into consideration when setting up your camp. This campground is open all year round and has no additional fee.

8. Emigrant Campground

This is a small campground with space for 10 tents – there are no RVs allowed. You can get away with car camping, and possibly a Class B van.

There is no charge to use the site which makes it a great option for people on a budget, and it’s open all year. There are flushing toilets, but no showers, no dump site and no hookups.

From this campground you can enjoy views of the Cottonwood Mountains which are part of the Panamint Range.

9. Thorndike Campground

This campground closes during the winter months, mainly due to its elevation at 74000 feet. It would be far too cold in the winter. It is tricky to get to and you might need a 4×4 to tackle some of the roads.

This primitive campground is located in a forest area which is different to the other grounds we have included on the list. The 6 spaces are available on a first come first serve basis and you must be in a tent or car camping.

There are no toilets, no showers and there is no drinking water. This is ideal for people who prefer wild camping.

If there is no space at Thorndike, another 1000 feet up is the Mahogany Flat Campground with 10 spaces. It is shaded by pine trees, and offers spectacular views into Death Valley.

This is another free campground that is first come first serve. It is for primitive camping only – there are no facilities – and you will need a 4×4 vehicle to reach the site.

10. Panamint Springs

Panamint Springs is a privately run resort on the Western side of Death Valley. It has a historic feel and advertises itself as rustic and western.

There are 54 spots for camping – 22 for tents only, 26 for tents or RVs with no hook ups, and 6 with full hookups.

They also have small and large tent cabins that you can rent. The campground is open all year round and is fairly reasonably priced considering that you also get access to a restaurant, a shop and a gas station.

There are flushing toilets, showers, and there is drinking water on site. This campground is easy to access from Panamint valley or from Highway 395.

You might want to start off your trip with a night at this campground before moving on to something more basic to explore further into Death Valley. There is also a hotel here for people who fancy a bit of home comfort.

Preparing For Your Trip

Whichever campground you choose for your trip, you will need to make sure you pack everything that you might need. Here are some useful tips:

• Folding Tables – This is ideal if you choose a campground without picnic tables
  Compression Dry Bags – These are ideal to help with storing clothes when you have limited space
• Wood – You can buy firewood at some of the stores dotted around the campgrounds, but it would be cheaper to bring it with you
• Water – There can be large distances between sites where there is drinking water available. Make sure you bring plenty of bottled water
• Gas – Plan your trip carefully and make sure that you don’t run out of gas. There are a few places in Death Valley where you can get more gas
• Temperature – October to April is the best time to visit Death Valley, as the temperatures will be too high for a lot of people the rest of the year.

Summary

These are the best campgrounds in Death valley. Make sure you make a reservation if necessary, and check the facilities beforehand.