Death Valley National Park - Camping

Dunes of Death Valley by US-Parks

Death Valley National Park's backcountry has a variety of rugged mountain and desert terrain. More than 3 million acres of wilderness and over 400 miles of backcountry dirt roads are open to camping.

Free voluntary permits for backcountry camping may be obtained at the visitor center or any ranger station. Solo hikers may want to provide additional information about plans and emergency contacts.

Overnight group size is limited to 15 people and no more than 6 vehicles. Larger groups will need to split up and camp at least 1 mile apart.

Campfires are prohibited, except in fire pits in developed campgrounds. Gathering wood is unlawful and burning of wood is not allowed in the backcountry. Campstoves and barbeque grills are allowed. Charcoal ashes must be packed out.

Established Campgrounds

Furnace Creek open all year $18**

Sunset open Oct-Apr $12

Texas Spring open Oct-Apr $14

Stovepipe Wells open Oct-Apr $12

Mesquite Spring all year $12

Emigrant

(tents only) open all year free

Wildrose open all year free

Thorndike* open Mar-Nov free

Mahogany Flat* open Mar-Nov free

* Accessible to high clearance vehicles only. 4-wheel drive may be necessary.

** Furnace Creek Campground becomes first come-first served and fee changes to $12 per night from mid-April to mid-October.

Campgrounds you can reserve online

Lone Pine Campground

Mileage:67 mi

Description: Located in the eastern Sierra, six miles west of the town of Lone Pine, California. Campground is seven miles from Whitney Trailhead. Firewood is for sale at the campground. Popular activities include hiking and fishing. Restrooms are provided. Some first come, first serve sites may be available.
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Whitney Portal Campground

Mileage:69 mi

Description: Whitney Portal is located in the eastern Sierra, 13 miles west of Lone Pine, CA. This campground is adjacent to Whitney Creek. Roads are paved. Restrooms are provided. Firewood is available for sale. Small store with showers nearby. Popular activities include hiking and fishing. Whitney Portal is 1/2 mile from Mt. Whitney, Meysan Lake, National Recreation trailheads.
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Dolomite Campground

Mileage:74 mi

Description: Located forty-five miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, in an open forested area leading up to a ridge at 8300 ft. elevation. Campground is located in the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area. Restrooms are provided. There is hiking and biking on the Bristlecone Trail. There are some sites on a first come, first serve (no reservation) basis. Campground may open as late as mid May due to snow.
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Foxtail Grp Picnic Area Campground

Mileage:74 mi

Description: Foxtail Picnic Area is located about 47 miles from downtown Las Vegas at an elevation of 8300 feet. Set in a pine forest, this picnic area has 3 large group sites. This is a developed facility with flush toilets. It is open year round.
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Mcwilliams Campground

Mileage:74 mi

Description: McWilliams Campground is located 50 miles from downtown Las Vegas at an elevation of 8300 feet. This rustic campground is set among pines and junipers and has 40 sites. Campers come here to hike and bike on the Bristlecone Trail. Sites may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis prior to reservation opening dates and after reservation closure dates if the site has been opened in the spring or has not closed for the winter. Expect heavy snow from November through March.
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Grays Meadows Campground

Mileage:76 mi

Description: Located in the eastern Sierra, six miles west of the town of Independence, California near Onion Valley and the Shepherd Pass Trailhead. Campground is located next to a stream that is stocked weekly. Sites 10, 12, 13, 14, 40, 41, 46, and 51 are close to the creek. Night time security patrols are provided during periods of high bear activity. Early trout fishing season starts first weekend in March. Some sites available on a first come, first serve basis. Firewood for sale in campground.
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Cathedral Rock Grp Picnic Area Campground

Mileage:76 mi

Description: Cathedral Rock group picnic areas are located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Cathedral Rock Day Use Area is located about 30 miles from Las Vegas at an altitude of 7600 feet. Set among pines adjacent to 3 hiking trails, this busy picnic area is open year round. In the winter, the group sites close and only single sites are available. This is a developed facility with flush toilets.
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Mahogany Grove Campground

Mileage:77 mi

Description: None
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Fletcher View Campground

Mileage:78 mi

Description: Fletcher View Campground is located about 28 miles from Las Vegas at an altitude of 7000 feet. Set in a pine forest, this campground has 12 electric sites. Campers come here to breathe the cool mountain air and escape the heat of the city. Located in Canyon bottom with large pine trees parelleling the creek bed. Some sites available on a first come first served basis. Reservations available year round. Expect heavy snow from November through March.
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Hilltop Campground

Mileage:78 mi

Description: Please add to the Description: Hilltop Campground is located 40 miles from downtown Las Vegas at an altitude of 8437 feet. Set among pines overlooking the valley on the road that connects Lee and Kyle Canyons, this campground has 35 sites and an amazing view of the Mohave desert. Campers come here for that view, to hike on nearby North Loop Trail, and to relax in the cool mountain air and escape the city. Some sites are available on a first come, first serve (no reservation) basis.
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Note: All mileage numbers are "as the crow flies"