Update (October 2026): This camping guide to Death Valley National Park has been reviewed with updated campground information, backcountry camping regulations, and visitor safety advice. Flooding and infrastructure damage have caused long-term closures of some campgrounds and access roads, while other facilities continue operating seasonally. Always check the current National Park Service alerts before traveling, especially when planning to camp in remote areas of the park.
Spending the night under the black vastness of space filled by the Milky Way and beyond it is a fantastic experience. But to feel it better, you have to try it in a far-from-civilization place, on a grassland or a desert, far from any sound or light noise. There are many such places on the Earth, but let’s focus on one of them, the famous Death Valley. And let’s see how is it to experience camping in Death Valley!
Table of Contents
Some geography
Let’s open the satellite map of the Earth, and focus on the southwestern part of the United States! What we can see is a yellowish area, surrounded by green color along the Pacific Coast, the mountains on the north, and gradually turning green toward the middle of the US in the east, and Mexico in the south.
This yellowish area, unevenly filled by isolated local green spots is called the North American Desert. It is divided into several “sub-deserts”, including the 3 deserts of California (the Great Basin, Colorado, and Mojave), each with its own features. The most attractive of them is Mojave Desert, shared between the states of California, Nevada, and a bit of Arizona.
If you haven’t been there, don’t imagine “Sahara-type” deserts like a sea of sand with drifting dunes (although there are some). Here the deserts are xeric type- just dry and arid mountainous lands with some bush, dry grass, or just naked rocks and stones.
Mojave Desert
Mojave is the smallest and the driest of all deserts in the area. In fact, this is the driest place in the US, and one of the driest places in the Americas. That means clear and cloudless air almost the whole year round, at least in most of the desert. Yes, it causes hot days and cold nights, with significant temperature differences, but at the same time, it provides excellent conditions for watching the stars at night.
This desert is relatively high in altitude, with some mountains scattered around it. But it keeps a special gem- a place that is different than any other part of Mojave, unique for the whole of North America. This is the Death Valley, a place where you can feel on another planet!
About Death Valley
You can see it on a physical map, like a long and narrow scar on the Earth’s surface, different than anything else around. It is a trench, about 170 km (105 mi) long and about 15 km (9-10 mi) wide.
The surrounding mountain ranges rise to elevations of more than 3,000 m (9,800 ft), while the floor of Death Valley sinks far below sea level. Its lowest point, Badwater Basin, lies at approximately 86 m (282 ft) below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America and one of the most remarkable topographic depressions in the Western Hemisphere.
Here, in its lowest point, on July 10, 1913, was measured the highest recorded temperature on Earth ever- 134 °F (56.7 °C) at Furnace Creek.
In the past, there was an ancient salt lake, called Lake Manly. Today it is gone, but its bottom still remained as a flat salty surface, creating an unreal landscape, surrounded by the nearby dry mountains.
Only these basic details make camping in Death Valley a fantastic way to spend the night. But of course, there is much more, along with the adventures you can enjoy during the whole day.
Death Valley National Park
So, let’s zoom the map in and look at the Death Valley in detail. The whole area of the valley and its surrounding mountains, as well as some neighboring minor valleys, are included in the Death Valley National Park. That means that it is a protected area, at the same time specially arranged for tourists, with its specific regulations.
So, can you camp in such a territory? Definitely yes! But let’s first see the geographical details of Death Valley.
Geography of the Death Valley NP
As you can see, the main feature in the national park is the Death Valley itself. There are several sections and points along its length. In the north is the Mesquite Flat Dunes- a flat place with a mini sand desert that is prolonged to the north until Grapevine, and Last Chance Canyon.
South of it is Furnace Creek- the hottest point on the Earth. Furnace Creek station is located at the point where the side valley with the same name joins the main Death Valley.
Further south is the lowest point in North America, called Badwater Flats. This is the most epic point in the whole Death Valley National Park- a flat surface of salt, slightly segmented into “pools”, and beside it- a bumpy field of stony remnants, called Devil’s Golf Course.
Finally, the Death Valley extends to its southern end between the desolated Owlshead Mountains and the Black Mountains. But the boundaries of the national park extend much further beyond.
Around the Death Valley
East of the valley is Amargosa Range- a mountain range divided into two sub-ranges by a side valley called Furnace Creek. The highest peak in Amargosa, located in the northern sub-range is called Grapevine Peak (8738 ft/2663 m), rising more than 2 km over the bottom of the Death Valley.
On the west, the Death Valley is surrounded by another mountain range- Panamint. It is also divided into two sub-ranges, divided by Emigrant and Wildrose canyons. But here, the highest peak is located in the southern sub-range. It is called Telescope Peak (11049 ft/3368 m) and it rises more than 3 km over the lowest point of the Death Valley- the highest point in the Death Valley National Park.
Finally, there is an area in the northwest beyond the Panamint Range that consists of several other smaller mountains and valleys- Last Chance Range, Saline Range, Nelson Range, Darwin Plateau, as well as Eureka Valley, Saline Valley, and the northern part of Panamint Valley.
All of these geographical features offer fantastic landscapes during the daytime and otherworldly mystery at the night.
How the Death Valley National Park is arranged?
Death Valley National Park is one of the largest in the USA. Is it populated? Are there cities or villages in the park?
Yes, there is a local population, but it lives only in three residential areas. No cities in the park. In fact, currently, there are just a little more than 500 people constantly living there. They live in several communities there- Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Timbisha Shoshone Village, and Cow Creek. All the other people who you can meet there are tourists and the national park service workers.
Besides these settlements, there are several hotels and resorts, some restaurants, a museum, a visitor center, ranger stations, and other facilities at various points in the national park, serving visitors. And along with these- there are also several campsites, scattered in a large empty area.
Where can you go camping in Death Valley National Park?
So, where you can go camping in such a wild place that is arranged in this way? You have two options- campgrounds and backcountry.
Campgrounds
Death Valley National Park has several developed campgrounds, together with official primitive campgrounds in remote desert and mountain locations. There are also privately operated camping facilities within the wider park area. Some campgrounds are situated near the lowest parts of Death Valley, while others lie high in the surrounding mountains. This variety allows visitors to experience very different landscapes and climates, but opening seasons, facilities, and road access vary considerably. Check the official Death Valley camping information before choosing where to stay.
Let’s see where these campgrounds are and what can you experience there.
Furnace Creek campgrounds
There are three campgrounds at Furnace Creek. Two of them- Furnace Creek and Sunset are on the flat bottom of the valley, at 196 ft below sea level. The first one is open all year round and it is the best-arranged of all, while the second can be used only from fall through spring. Here you can install your tents and RVs on dry ground with some bush.
And the third campground at Furnace Creek is Texas Springs- established on the height (on a flat terrace) above the settlement at the sea level, again open from fall through spring. Here you can watch this part of the valley from above.
Stovepipe Wells Campground
It is located at Stovepipe Wells settlement, at sea level, on another flat surface, north of Tucki Mountain. The landscape is similar- a flat sandy ground with some bush, at the edge of the valley bottom. Again, it is open only from fall to spring.
Mesquite Spring Campground
Mesquite Spring Campground is located in the northern part of Death Valley National Park, at approximately 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level. It occupies a slightly sloping desert landscape with sparse vegetation and provides a quieter camping experience away from the main visitor areas. Nearby attractions include Ubehebe Crater, while the historic Scotty’s Castle lies farther north. However, Scotty’s Castle and Bonnie Clare Road remain closed for flood-recovery work as of October 2026, with no confirmed reopening date. Mesquite Spring Campground itself remains available to visitors, subject to current operating conditions.
Emigrant Campground
Emigrant Campground is a small, tent-only camping area west of Tucki Mountain, at approximately 2,100 ft (640 m) above sea level. Its location offers beautiful views of the surrounding desert mountains. However, the campground has been closed since August 2025 because of major damage to its water supply system and associated facilities. As of October 2026, there is no confirmed reopening date, so visitors should not plan to stay there. Check the current Death Valley campground conditions for any future changes.
Wildrose Campground
Now we are higher in the mountains. This campground is established at 4100 ft (1270 m) above sea level, northwest of Telescope Peak, in a side valley (called Wildrose) that descends to the larger Panamint Valley. Again, the area is covered by bush, but here is much cooler than in the campgrounds above. It is open all year round.
Thorndike and Mahogany Flat Campgrounds
These are the highest campgrounds in the national park. They can be reached from the same road that comes from Wildrose Campground. Thorndike is established at 7400 ft (2290 m), and Mahogany Flat- at 8200 ft (2470 m) above sea level. The distance between them is a bit more than a mile (about 2 km), on the north slopes of Rogers Peak.
Here is much cooler than at the bottom of Death Valley. The landscape is greener, with more bush and low mountain forests. The weather is also much wetter. For this reason, these campgrounds are open in the opposite seasons- from spring through fall only. They are reachable only by high clearance vehicles.
Besides the developed campgrounds, Death Valley National Park also has several officially designated primitive campgrounds in remote areas. They offer few or no facilities and are usually reached by unpaved roads, sometimes requiring a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. These are legitimate camping locations, but visitors must follow their specific regulations and check road conditions before departure.
Homestake Dry Campground
It is a small campground, located at 3800 ft (1155 m) in Racetrack Valley, south of Ubehebe Peak. It is reachable from Grapevine Ranger Station, but only by high clearance vehicles. The landscape is bushy and dry, and in general, this is a remote place in the wilderness, offering a great experience for people who want to be “far from the world”.
Eureka Dunes Dry Campground
This is another very remote campground, established at 2920 ft (890 m) at a small sand mini-desert, called Eureka Dunes. The campground itself is not located on the sands, but north of them. It makes this place different, with a unique landscape.
However, although it is located within the borders of Death Valley National Park, it is reachable (again only by high clearance vehicles) only from Big Pine, without connection to Furnace Creek.
Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground
This is another unique campground, different from all of the others. It is located in the Saline Valley, at 1470 ft (450 m) above sea level, in a very interesting area with a salt lake, sand dunes, and hot springs. This is a former mining site and you can still see some of the mining equipment that remained here from about a century ago.
The campground is remotely connected to Stovepipe Wells, but it is more easily reachable only from Big Pine. And again, you can go there only by high clearance vehicle.
Access update (October 2026): A wildfire on 15 September 2026 damaged facilities at Saline Valley Warm Springs, particularly around Lower Springs. That section remains closed because of safety hazards, while a designated camping area between Lower and Palm Springs is currently accessible. The situation may change as recovery work progresses. Before attempting the long and remote drive, check the official Death Valley alerts and campground status.
Panamint Springs Resort and Campground
This is a “more-civilized” campground, a part of a resort in Panamint Valley, located at 1935 ft (590 m). Panamint Springs Resort is well-connected by a paved road to Stovepipe Wells and contains not only a campground, but also a motel, a gas station, cabins, and a restaurant.
Backcountry camping
It is allowed! If you want to get wilder, you can give up the comforts of the campsites and camp directly in the wilderness. But it is possible only under some conditions.
Backcountry camping is permitted in parts of Death Valley National Park, but there are important differences between roadside camping and wilderness backpacking. If you camp beside your vehicle, you must use an existing disturbed site along an open dirt road where camping is permitted, generally at least one mile from the nearest paved road or designated day-use road. Camping is prohibited along many popular scenic roads, in parking areas, on Eureka Dunes, and across much of the main Death Valley floor.
For wilderness backpacking, you can travel on foot into permitted backcountry areas, following the park’s rules for camping distances, sensitive habitats, and protected sites. Campsites must be more than 100 yards from water sources under the park’s backcountry guidance. Some routes require permits and advance reservations, while others do not. Before planning either type of trip, consult the official backcountry camping regulations and access map. Never drive off designated roads to find a campsite.
Death Valley camping tips
So, before you go camping in Death Valley, you have to prepare some important details.
Fees and permits
Death Valley National Park charges an entrance fee, with a standard seven-day pass costing USD 30 for a private vehicle or USD 15 per person entering on foot or by bicycle in 2026. A vehicle pass covers the passengers traveling together in that vehicle. You can purchase passes through the park’s authorized payment locations or online, and the park operates on a cashless payment system.
The America the Beautiful annual pass is another option if you plan to visit several federal recreation sites. However, since 2026, annual pass prices differ by residency: the regular annual pass is USD 80 for eligible U.S. residents and USD 250 for non-U.S. residents. Check the current prices through the official Death Valley entrance fees page.
Backcountry permits are mandatory for camping along certain routes, including Echo Canyon, Hole in the Wall, Greenwater Valley, and parts of Cottonwood and Marble Canyons. For many other backcountry activities, permits are voluntary but strongly recommended. Some mandatory permits must be reserved online in advance, while voluntary permits can also be arranged through park visitor facilities.
A permit helps rangers understand your planned itinerary, but it does not guarantee a rescue operation if you fail to return. Always leave your route and expected return time with a trusted person who can alert emergency services if necessary. For permit requirements and emergency planning advice, see the official Death Valley Wilderness/Backcountry Use Permits page.
Seasons
Campground conditions in Death Valley depend strongly on elevation and season. The low-elevation campgrounds are most comfortable during the cooler months, while high-elevation campsites offer relief from the summer heat but may be inaccessible in winter because of snow and difficult roads. Furnace Creek Campground remains open throughout the year, although it operates with reduced capacity in summer. However, summer temperatures can remain dangerously high even at night, and the presence of basic campground facilities does not eliminate the risk of heat-related illness. For most tent campers, the cooler months are much more suitable.
So, if you go for backcountry camping, follow this advice- don’t camp at too low altitude during summer and at too high altitude during winter (the latter is more possible, but only with proper equipment, of course).
Here are some more tips:
- Except for Furnace Creek Campground, where you can make a reservation in advance, camping in all other campgrounds follows “first-come-first-serve”.
- There are RV hookups in Furnace Creek Campground and around the settlement, in Stovepipe Wells RV Park, as well as in Panamint Springs Resort.
- Only 8 people and 2 vehicles (or 1 RV with 1 other vehicle) are allowed in the campgrounds. There is an exception only for Furnace Creek Campground. In the backcountry, the limit is 12 people and 4 vehicles.
- Campfires using wood or charcoal are permitted only in designated National Park Service metal fire pits where current regulations allow them. Gas-powered stoves and grills with shut-off valves are generally permitted under the applicable rules. Open fires are prohibited during the summer fire-restriction period at Wildrose, Thorndike, and Mahogany Flat, and additional restrictions may be introduced during periods of high fire danger. Open campfires are not permitted at ordinary dispersed backcountry campsites. Always check current fire regulations before cooking or lighting a fire.
- You can’t stay longer than 1 month in a campground. In Furnace Creek, the limit is 14 days.
- Pets must be on a leash, no longer than 6 feet. No more than 4 pets are allowed in the campgrounds. Pets are not allowed in the wilderness!
- If you go camping backcountry, bring more water, especially in summer!
Death Valley is an amazing place, and camping there is a really great experience, the best way to feel, touch, and taste the nature and geography of the area. This is one of the best spots in the USA where you can escape “far from the civilization”. And although the name of the valley speaks about death, the nature there is full of life!
Get more impressions about camping in Death Valley from the video below:
Check some books about Death Valley, camping in the area, USA national parks and more:
Disclaimer: Journey Beyond the Horizon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no additional cost to you.
Like it? Pin it here⇓! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
You may also like
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
Krasen and Ying Ying
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually. So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration. And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality. Enjoy!
