Camping near Death Valley National Park

93% (198 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Death Valley National Park adventure.

Take in magnificent desert scenery in the hottest, driest place in North America.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Death Valley National Park

98%

(336)

Death Valley Camp

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Beatty, NV

Our 8-acre property is located in the Mojave Desert surrounded by BLM land and nearby Death Valley National Park. One of the first vineyards in Nevada, we grow 5 varietals of grapes and make wine on-site. We offer guests camping, glamping, and an RV site. Camping and Glamping sites are located next to the vines and include picnic tables, shared composting toilets, kitchenette (bbq, gas cooktop), and an outdoor shower in our rustic bathhouse. We also have a community area "The Wine Hall" with ping-pong, refrigerator, microwave, and water cooler. Outside our gates, enjoy biking, hiking, scrambling, and exploring the Amargosa Desert and nearby Skeleton Hills. Nearby attractions include Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge (30-minutes) and Death Valley National Park (45-minutes). We have spent a lot of time in the park and are happy to answer questions, make suggestions, or even take you on a tour.

91%

(544)

Death Valley Stargazing Camp

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Valley Wells, CA

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST approach the property from the south through the ghost town of Ballarat. If you try to approach from the north on Indian Ranch Road, you very well may come across some section of road that have been washed out. PLEASE APPROACH FROM THE SOUTH! The easiest way to get here is to navigate to Ballarat first, and then turn north on Indian Ranch Road. Google often thinks the road in between Ballarat and our location is closed, but we assure you it's not, and hasn't been for years. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE IN THE AREA. Pitch your tent or pull up your RV or camper van on Death Valley's front porch just outside of Surprise Canyon in Panamint Valley. Near the ghost town of Ballarat, Death Valley Stargazing Camp is one of only four private parcels in all of Panamint Valley -- and lies just west of the Death Valley National Park boundary. This pristine valley is untouched, and offers panoramic views of amazing sunsets, sunrises, and of course dark, dark skies! The property features 4 campsites with privacy amongst the 80 acres. All sites have several hundred feet in between them, and include a picnic bench, fire ring, and shared porta-potties across from the Green Alien Mailbox (800 - 1200 feet away depending on your campsite -- or as we call them, Starsites). And did we mention the views?? Whether you're visiting Death Valley, or just passing through the desert -- these campsites are serene, scenic, and include a stargazing wonderland! Site #1: Recessed from the road, this is the biggest site and has ample room for any type of vehicle, as well as lots of vehicles. Vehicles can pull through. Site #2: Closer to the road and also fairly big. Some vehicles can pull through but some will have to back out. Large trailers could be a problem. Site #3: Along side the road and the smallest of the three sites (although all sites are surrounded by nothing). All vehicles will have to back out of this site. Large trailers could be a problem. SIte #4: Across from the mailbox on the west side of the road. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LARGE TRAILERS OR ANY HEAVY VEHICLES WHICH COULD GET STUCK IN THE SAND! Cars should proceed with caution and stay on the road as there are areas of loose sand near this site. Walk to it first to check conditions if you are unsure. Come join us in the middle of nowhere with dark skies and easy access to Death Valley, the Trona Pinnacles, Darwin Falls, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and countless canyons with mining ruins and adventures!

100%

(1)

AREA-95 | Desert Nebula

20 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · NV

Amargosa Valley is the adventure town of Nevada. Sitting between Las Vegas and Death Valley, this property is just minutes away from one of the most popular sand dunes in the southwest. The sky opens up at night to treat campers to a vivid view of the starry night sky. With easy drive-up access, this parcel can be accessed in nearly any vehicle.

The best camping near Death Valley National Park guide

Overview

About

Encompassing over 3 million acres of the Mojave Desert, massive Death Valley National Park offers adventurous campers the chance to explore one of the hottest places on earth. This geologically rich area features a mix of peaks, canyons, and Sahara-esque sand dunes and is a great place to hike, rock climb, mountain bike, and camp. The park's remote location, coupled with its generally clear skies, make it an excellent spot for stargazing, and it's common to spot celestial wonders in the Death Valley night sky, even with the naked eye.

Death Valley National Park RV Camping

Spread out over millions of acres on the California-Nevada border, this massive national park is a fantastic place for an RV getaway, especially in the cooler months of the year. Death Valley offers a mix of developed in-park campgrounds as well as private campgrounds and Hipcamps. Developed options include Furnace Creek Campground, which has hookups at 18 sites, as well as Texas Springs Campground, Sunset Campground, Stovepipe Wells Campground, Wildrose Campground, and Mesquite Spring Campground. Most shut down during the summer months due to extreme temperatures, but all are available on a first-come, first-served basis, except for Furnace Creek, which offers reservations from mid-October through mid-April. Just note that Furnace Creek sites well in advance, and many people snap up reservations as soon as they become available. Fortunately, there are plenty of reservable sites at RV parks in the area, many of which are available on Hipcamp with picnic tables, toilet access, hot showers, and full RV hookups.

Notable campgrounds

Best for winter camping: Furnace Creek Campground is open all year long and allows reservations from mid-fall through mid-spring.
Best for a quiet experience: With only 23 campsites, Wildrose Campground offers a quiet alternative to busier campgrounds.
Best for families: Near the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Stovepipe Wells Campground offers creature comforts such as flush toilets and a dump station.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Most campgrounds are closed during the summer months due to extreme heat. Those that are open are made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you want to camp on a summer holiday weekend, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day, it's wise to arrive a couple of days early to secure your spot.
Sunset Campground and Stovepipe Wells Campground are your best bets if visiting during a busy period.
Furnace Creek Campground is available for reservation from October 15 through April 15 and operates on a first-come, first-served basis during the rest of the year.

When to go

The best time to visit Death Valley is either in spring or fall, when the temperatures are warm but not unbearable. Springtime in particular is pleasant and often gets wildflowers. Summer can get crowds, especially on three-day weekends, despite the fact that temperatures in the valley often hover well above 110°F. Winters are considerably cooler, and the park sometimes get snow at high elevations.

Know before you go

The temperatures in Death Valley can get incredibly hot. It's wise to drink at least one gallon of water per day and avoid hiking in low elevations when the weather is hot.
Always stay on paved roads, particularly in summer, so that you can be easily reached by emergency vehicles. Driving off of designated roads is illegal.
Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders, all of which live in this desert.
Cell service is limited throughout much of the park, though Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells generally get some coverage.Download offline maps before you head out.

Nearby attractions

Embark on a unique camping adventure amidst the otherworldly landscape of Trona Pinnacles. Set up camp near the towering Tufa formations, explore the ancient fossil beds, and stargaze under clear night skies.