Death Valley is the largest National Park in the contiguous United States and is over 3 million acres in size. There are nine National Park campgrounds in Death Valley and we’ll cover a few of the most popular, plus some additional options for a fun camping experience in and around the park. Furnace Creek is the only reservable National Park campsite, all others are first come and not staffed. You’ll find your spot and then pay at an automated kiosk that requires a credit or debit card. Also, Furnace Creek is the only site with a 14-day camping limit, all others have a 30-day limit.
Furnace Creek Campground
Right behind Death Valley National park’s visitor center is Furnace Creek Campground, a great place to camp with your RV. It is the only campground in the park with hookups and also the only one that accepts reservations (October 15 through April 15). Sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance on recreation.gov and the campground is open all year. There are only 18 hookup sites (water & electric), and there are multiple dump stations throughout the campground. Fee: $16
Sunset Campground
Sunset campground is open late Fall to early Spring, closed for the summer months, and is first come first served. It rarely fills to capacity, so you can camp here even during high season and weekends. There aren’t any hookups but there is water available, flush toilets, and a dump station. No restrictions on RV length. Fee: $14
Texas Springs Campground
Texas Springs is open late Fall to early Spring as well and is also first come first served. This camp is at sea level and has water, tables, fire pits, flush toilets, and a dump station. Fee: $16
Stovepipe Wells Village RV Park
The RV park is concession-run and offers 14 full hook-up spots for $40/night. Online reservations are available at deathvalleyhotels.com. The National Park Service also operates a rustic campground at Stovepipe Wells Village, offering sites without hookups for $14/night. Both types of sites offer access to the Village swimming pool, included in the RV Park price, additional cost if staying at the campground.
Panamint Springs Resort
This private resort is located within the park and has limited space for RVs. They offer 6 full hook-up RV sites ($40/night), and 26 dry camping sites ($20/night). Note for full hook-ups- their electricity is produced by a diesel generator and the power is not as clean as line power. They caution that some new RVs may have issues with the electricity.
The Pads Boondocking
This prime boondocking spot outside the park is only about 15 minutes driving to the Visitor Center. Campendium reviewers ponder how and why this place exists, perhaps an old mobile home park no longer in operation, possibly intended to be an RV park but never finished? We don’t have the full story, but we do know that it’s a great free boondocking spot close to the National Park. There are concrete pads and level sites, no size restrictions on RV length. The only downside: zero cell signal.
GPS: 36.3391, -116.5996
Panamint Valley Dispersed BLM Boondocking
This BLM site is at 1312’ elevation, so likely cooler than many of the below sea level campgrounds inside the park. Please observe the typical BLM 14 day camping limit. It’s a large gravel area right off a paved road.
GPS: 36.0317, -117.2823
There’s something for every kind of RVer at Death Valley National Park whether you prefer free dry camping or an RV resort with full hook-ups. The biggest thing to keep in mind while planning your trip is the weather, there are regularly excessive heat warnings throughout the summer. Keep the heat in mind and choose your campsite accordingly. Areas at higher elevation are often cooler or choose an option with hook-ups so you have the ability to run your AC.
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The hottest temps we have ever camped in was 117 in southern Utah. All hiking was done at sunrise. Our grips on our bike handles melted. Needless to say, no boondocking was done. Only hook ups on that trip!
The hottest I ever camped in was 110 in Las Vegas. Had to be out and about early in the day or late in the evening.
I camped in LasVegas when it was 107. Did most of my activities in the morning and evening. It was still a fun trip and the RV was about 85 which was pretty cool after being out in the 107 degree heat.
The hottest I’ve camped in was 122 in the shade at Furnace Creek, Death Valley.