Death Valley National Park
Death Valley straddles the California–Nevada border and is the largest national park in the contiguous US. Summer heat and long distances shape every plan.
- State
- California, Nevada
- Established
- 1994
- Best season
- Oct–Apr
- Highest peak
- Telescope Peak, 11,049 ft (3,368 m)
Before you go
- Furnace Creek accepts reservations from October 15 to April 15. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
- Furnace Creek has 18 full-hookup sites. Stovepipe Wells RV Park and Panamint Springs Resort offer private RV hookups.
- Generator hours are 7 am to 7 pm unless otherwise posted. Texas Springs has stricter generator rules.
- Summer temperatures can reach 130 °F, and cell service is limited to none. Carry plenty of water and tell someone your route.
Camping
The park runs several campgrounds. Furnace Creek, Emigrant and Mesquite Spring stay open all year. Sunset, Texas Springs and Stovepipe Wells close in summer, while Thorndike and Mahogany Flat open seasonally at higher elevation. A site is meant for up to eight people and two vehicles, or one RV plus a second vehicle. Backcountry camping is allowed only in some places and follows Leave No Trace principles. Check the park's rules for distances and permits before you go.
Getting around
Summer temperatures reach 130 °F, with nighttime lows around 90 °F. The park recommends drinking at least one gallon (about 4 liters) of water a day. Most deaths in the park result from single-vehicle rollovers on winding roads, so obey speed limits, use a low gear on steep descents and wear seatbelts. Cell service is limited to none. Share your itinerary and carry extra food and water.
FAQs
Which campgrounds can I reserve?
Only Furnace Creek, and only during its October 15 to April 15 season. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served all year. Check the park's page for the current booking window.
Where can an RV get full hookups?
Furnace Creek has 18 full-hookup sites, which are rarely free without a reservation. Stovepipe Wells RV Park and Panamint Springs Resort run private RV hookups.
When can I run a generator?
Generator hours are 7 am to 7 pm unless otherwise posted. According to the park, generators are prohibited at Texas Springs. Check posted signs on arrival.
Places to see
Mosaic Canyon
A narrow canyon of polished marble and breccia near Stovepipe Wells. A two-mile gravel road leads to the…
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Rippled dunes you can walk into from the road. Avoid midday heat from May to September.
Golden Canyon
A gully of golden mudstone leading toward Red Cathedral and Zabriskie Point, starting just south of Furnace…
Zabriskie Point
Golden badlands folded like cloth. Sunrise here is one of the classic desert views.
Artists Palette
Hillsides streaked green, pink and purple by oxidised minerals, on the one-way Artists Drive loop off…
Badwater Basin
At 282 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in North America. The salt flats crack into hexagons.…
Dante’s View
A viewpoint 5,475 feet above Badwater Basin with Telescope Peak across the valley. The paved road climbs 13…
Rhyolite ghost town
The ruins of a 1900s gold boom town, including a house built from bottles, next to the ghostly sculptures…
Campsites nearby
- Furnace Creek CampgroundCampsite3 mi from · 136 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Fiddlers' CampgroundCampsite3 mi fromTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Sunset CampgroundCampsite3 mi from · 230 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Texas Springs CampgroundCampsite4 mi from · 92 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Stovepipe Wells RV ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from · 14 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Stovepipe Wells CampgroundCampsite18 mi fromTentsCaravansWaste disposal
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026