# Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave

> The lowest basin in North America, endless dunes and a desert that covers itself in blossom in spring: a loop from Las Vegas through two of the driest…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-068-death-valley-mojave/

**At a glance:** 6-day round trip of about 855 km (531 mi) with 14 stops, starting and ending in Las Vegas. About 9 h 29 min of driving in total. The lowest basin in North America, endless dunes and a desert that covers itself in blossom in spring: a loop from Las Vegas through two of the driest landscapes in the USA.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 855 km (531 mi) |
| Driving | 9 h 29 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Las Vegas → Las Vegas |
| States | NV, CA |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*The lowest basin in North America, endless dunes and a desert that covers itself in blossom in spring: a loop from Las Vegas through two of the driest landscapes in the USA.*

## The spirit of the route

In the Mojave Desert, vastness is not a word but a state. Beyond Las Vegas, the neon lights vanish in the rear-view mirror within an hour, and the sky opens up over creosote bushes and salt-clay plains. In Death Valley, Badwater Basin lies 86 metres below sea level, pleasant in winter, dangerously hot in summer. In the morning the dunes at Stovepipe Wells glow orange, in the afternoon the light falls on the folds of Zabriskie Point, and at night the Milky Way stands over the camper, because the park has one of the darkest skies in the Lower 48. Further south, in the Mojave National Preserve, Joshua trees grow on Cima Dome, the Kelso Dunes sing underfoot, and the silence between the volcanic cones is unfamiliar. The best time is October to April; in summer the route is out of the question.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Las Vegas to Furnace Creek (Death Valley) (approx. 190 km)

- **The drive:** From Las Vegas, take Hwy 160 west to Pahrump, then Hwy 372 (Bell Vista Road) to Death Valley Junction and Hwy 190 east into the park to Furnace Creek; the turn-off to Dantes View is east of Furnace Creek on Hwy 190. The route is wide and well built, speed 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours. Pahrump is the last cheap opportunity to fill up and shop.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Dantes View: a viewpoint at 1,669 m above Badwater Basin, with a view of the salt flat and the Panamint Range; the access road is steep, and according to the NPS, motorhomes, trailers and buses over 25 ft (7.6 m) may drive only as far as the trailer car park (about 7.5 miles), not to the viewpoint.
  - Zabriskie Point: a viewpoint over yellow, folded badlands, best at sunrise; short, paved footpath, limited parking.
  - Furnace Creek Visitor Center: information, exhibition and weather; park admission is charged here and at machines. The surcharge for visitors without US residence (since 2026) applied at the start of the year only in eleven heavily visited parks, not here; check current rules on nps.gov.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Furnace Creek Campground (NPS, open all year, from 15 October to 15 April only with a reservation via Recreation.gov; water, toilets and dump station nearby). Sunset Campground (motorhomes, without hook-ups, only mid-October to mid-April) and Texas Spring Campground (also seasonal) are also near Furnace Creek; check opening times, vehicle lengths and reservation rules on nps.gov. Fiddlers’ Campground is for smaller groups; Furnace Creek Ranch offers private RV sites with hook-ups.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Death Valley National Park, camping outside the campgrounds is allowed only as “roadside camping” on certain unpaved roads, at already used spots and with minimum distances from the paved road and from settlements according to the NPS (check the rules beforehand). Nearby are BLM areas at Pahrump and Beatty where dispersed camping is mostly allowed for up to 14 days. Tracks are sandy and impassable after rain.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There are only a few filling stations in Death Valley (Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs), with markedly higher prices; fill up and fill with water in Pahrump. In summer, temperatures can exceed 45 °C; hike early in the morning, and take at least one gallon (about 4 litres) of water per person per day. Take NPS heat warnings seriously.

### Stage 2: Furnace Creek to Stovepipe Wells (approx. 130 km)

- **The drive:** From Furnace Creek, first south on Hwy 178 to Badwater Basin (about 28 km, one way), then back and north-west on Hwy 190 to Stovepipe Wells. The roads are paved, flat and easy to drive, speed mostly 45–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 2 hours; with stops, a whole day. According to the NPS, Artist’s Drive (one-way, about 9 miles) is not open to vehicles over 25 ft; check your vehicle length.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Badwater Basin: a salt pan at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level, with a boardwalk and trail; in summer, midday heat is dangerous, so visit early in the morning or in the evening.
  - Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells: dunes that can be walked freely; sunrise and sunset are best; shoes or barefoot, not too hot before noon.
  - Salt Creek and Harmony Borax Works: short boardwalks beside a stream with rare Death Valley pupfish (active in spring) and the ruins of a borax works.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Stovepipe Wells Campground (NPS, near the village, basic sites for motorhomes without hook-ups; seasonal, about mid-October to early May, without reservation; check vehicle lengths). Mesquite Spring Campground lies in the north by the Scotty’s Castle Road; Scotty’s Castle and the Bonnie Clare Road are closed because of flood damage (as of October 2026). In Stovepipe Wells there is a private RV park with hook-ups; clarify fresh water and waste disposal beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** According to the NPS, roadside camping in Death Valley National Park is allowed only on certain unpaved roads, with a backcountry permit for overnight stays away from the roads; check rules, distances and road condition beforehand. On BLM land outside the park (Panamint Valley Road), dispersed camping at already used spots is mostly allowed.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Buy fresh water and ice in Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells; there are no sources of drinking water away from the settlements. Mobile reception is patchy; download offline maps. The Salt Creek Boardwalk is interesting only in spring, when the fish are active.

### Stage 3: Stovepipe Wells to Panamint Springs (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** On Hwy 190 west over Towne Pass (1,511 m, 4,956 ft) with steep climbs and descents, then down into Panamint Valley to Panamint Springs. The route is winding; combinations and heavy motorhomes must use the engine brake and low gears. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Detour to the Charcoal Kilns via Emigrant Canyon Road and Wildrose Road (paved, the last miles gravel); according to the NPS, RVs, trailers and buses over 25 ft are not permitted there.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Father Crowley Vista Point: a view of a lava cone and Rainbow Canyon; fighter jets often fly through the canyon (Navy Jet Lines); a short detour from Hwy 190.
  - Wildrose Charcoal Kilns: ten 19th-century kilns; well preserved, the access ends on gravel, and is suitable only to a limited extent for long motorhomes.
  - Darwin Falls: a waterfall at the end of a short trail near Panamint Springs; according to the NPS, access is expected to be closed until summer 2027, so check the status beforehand.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wildrose Campground and Emigrant Campground (NPS, basic facilities; Emigrant only for tents or very small vehicles and closed in October 2026 for repair of the water supply, Wildrose all year without water and for smaller motorhomes up to 25 ft; check opening times and lengths). Panamint Springs Resort (private site) offers sites with basic hook-ups; clarify reservations and conditions directly.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On BLM land in Panamint Valley (south of the park), dispersed camping at already used spots is mostly allowed; dust and wind are strong, and dangerously hot in summer. In Death Valley National Park, only at designated roadside camping spots according to the NPS.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up with fuel at Stovepipe Wells or Panamint Springs; prices are high, but the stretch to the next filling station is long. Drive early in the morning so that the brakes do not overheat at Towne Pass. A satellite communicator or offline map is advisable.

### Stage 4: Panamint Springs to Baker (approx. 270 km)

- **The drive:** Back on Hwy 190 through Death Valley to Death Valley Junction (about 3 hours), then Hwy 127 south through Shoshone (the turn-off to Tecopa is about 7 miles further south) to Baker. The route is wide, but long and hot; speed mostly 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 4.5 hours. Filling stations in Furnace Creek, Shoshone and Baker.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Shoshone Museum: a small exhibition on regional history and fossil finds in the area; check opening times.
  - Tecopa Hot Springs: hot springs with pools and baths, mostly accessible via private or county facilities; check access and opening times.
  - Baker: a town with the World’s Tallest Thermometer (134 ft / 41 m), food and a filling station on Interstate 15.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Tecopa Hot Springs & Campground (Inyo County site, now run by a private operator, with thermal pools) lies about 3 miles off Hwy 127 on the Tecopa Hot Springs Road; there are dry pitches and some sites with electricity, and reservation is recommended in peak season; check opening times and fees directly with the operator. In Baker and Shoshone there are private RV parks with hook-ups. Alternatively, continue into the Mojave National Preserve (see stage 5).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** BLM land near Tecopa and Shoshone is mostly open for dispersed camping at already used spots; tracks are sandy. In the Mojave National Preserve, roadside camping is allowed on certain roads and at certain spots according to the NPS; check the rules on nps.gov.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up, fill with water and shop in Baker before heading into the Mojave National Preserve: there are no filling stations there and only a few water sources. If you drive south from Baker, fill up on Kelbaker Road; the last filling station is in Baker.

### Stage 5: Baker to Hole-in-the-Wall (Mojave National Preserve) (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** From Baker, take Kelbaker Road south into the Mojave National Preserve, past Kelso Depot (visitor centre), to the Kelso Dunes, then via Kelso-Cima Road to Cima and via Black Canyon Road to Hole-in-the-Wall. The roads are paved but lonely; side roads are unpaved and partly sandy. Pure driving time is about 3 hours; with stops, a whole day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Kelso Depot Visitor Center: a historic railway station from 1924, now a visitor centre with an exhibition and information; check opening times beforehand.
  - Kelso Dunes: sand dunes up to around 200 m high; the climb takes several hours, and the sand can be heard to “sing”. The access is a gravel road, suitable only to a limited extent for larger motorhomes.
  - Cima Dome and Teutonia Peak Trail: a Joshua tree forest on a granite dome; the trail is short and easy to walk.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Hole-in-the-Wall Campground (NPS, Mojave National Preserve, at around 1,350 m): basic sites with toilets and water; check vehicle lengths and reservation rules on nps.gov. Mid Hills Campground lies higher up and is reached by a gravel road, unsuitable for motorhomes. Alternatively, private RV parks in Baker.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Mojave National Preserve, roadside camping is allowed along certain roads and at designated spots according to the NPS (no camping directly on paved roads or near settlements; check rules and distances beforehand). Tracks can be sandy, and four-wheel drive is partly necessary.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There are no filling stations in the Mojave National Preserve; drive with a full tank and a reserve. Frost at night in winter, over 40 °C in summer. Wildflowers bloom in spring, depending on rain. Bring torches and a map.

### Stage 6: Hole-in-the-Wall to Las Vegas (approx. 220 km)

- **The drive:** From Hole-in-the-Wall, take Black Canyon Road and Ivanpah Road to Nipton, then Hwy 164 to Interstate 15 and north to Las Vegas. The route is mostly paved; on the I-15, motorhomes in Nevada are usually allowed up to 75 mph (in places 80 mph). Pure driving time is about 3.5 hours. On the I-15, expect traffic jams towards Las Vegas at weekends.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Nipton: a small historic town with an early 20th-century hotel and shop, on the border with Nevada; check opening times.
  - Seven Magic Mountains: an art installation of brightly painted stone towers, south of Las Vegas on the I-15 (Exit 25), with a car park; check opening times and access.
  - Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (west of Las Vegas): Scenic Drive through red sandstone rocks; in peak season, a timed reservation is often needed, so check current rules at redrockcanyonlv.org.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Red Rock Campground (BLM, near Red Rock Canyon, reserve via Recreation.gov; sites for motorhomes without hook-ups) or Boulder Beach Campground (Lake Mead National Recreation Area). In Las Vegas, private RV parks offer electricity and waste disposal; check reservations before returning the vehicle.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On BLM land around Las Vegas, dispersed camping at already used spots is mostly allowed for up to 14 days, with restrictions in protected areas and near the city. On car parks and streets in the city, sleeping in the vehicle is not allowed; some casinos accept motorhomes on their car parks, so clarify the rules on site.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Empty and fill up before returning in Las Vegas; rental firms often require a final clean. Filling stations in Las Vegas are markedly cheaper than in Death Valley. For trips on the Strip, a taxi or ride-hailing is worthwhile, as multi-storey car parks have height limits.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Free camping: in national parks (Death Valley) and in the Mojave National Preserve, camping outside the campgrounds is allowed only as “roadside camping” on certain roads and at certain spots, with minimum distances from paved roads and settlements according to the NPS; check rules and road condition beforehand. Checks are carried out by rangers, and violations are punished with fines.
- On BLM land in California and Nevada, dispersed camping at already used spots is mostly allowed for up to 14 days, away from water and settlements. Observe fire bans, protected areas and military areas; get maps from the BLM.
- Heat and water: in summer, temperatures above 45 °C are normal; the route is then not recommended. At least 4 litres of water per person per day, sun protection, early hikes. Check the vehicle’s coolant and tyre pressure; breakdowns in the desert are serious.
- Wildlife: rattlesnakes, scorpions and desert tortoises; do not touch or disturb tortoises (protected). Do not feed wild burros in Death Valley. Dogs are allowed in many areas only on roads and at campgrounds.
- Apps and sites: Recreation.gov, iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt; nps.gov for road conditions and heat warnings; Caltrans QuickMap and NDOT (Nevada). Mobile reception fails; download offline maps.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Waste disposal: dump stations in Death Valley (Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells), in Baker and Las Vegas; sanidumps.com lists locations. There are no dump stations in the Mojave National Preserve.
- Drinking water: tap water at visitor centres and campgrounds (Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Hole-in-the-Wall); away from these, sources are unreliable. Plan for 20-litre containers and spare containers.
- Fuel: filling stations in Pahrump, Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Shoshone, Baker; none in the Mojave National Preserve. Prices are high in Death Valley; fill up in Pahrump, Baker or Las Vegas.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Las Vegas, Pahrump and smaller shops in Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Baker. Propane at filling stations and dealers in Las Vegas and Pahrump; European gas cylinders need an adapter.
- Power: most national park sites have no hook-ups; air conditioning in the motorhome needs a generator, whose operation is restricted in hours. Plan for a leisure battery and solar.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits in mph: on park roads mostly 35–55, on the I-15 in Nevada up to 75 (in places 80), in California 55 mph for combinations and lorries with several axles. Wild burros and cattle on roads: drive slowly at night.
- Fees: admission to Death Valley is charged; the surcharge for visitors without US residence (since 2026) applied at the start of the year only in eleven heavily visited parks, not here; check current rules on nps.gov. The Mojave National Preserve has no admission fee. Campgrounds usually cost low double-digit dollar amounts.
- Lengths and heights: on Artist’s Drive, Emigrant Canyon Road and the lower Wildrose Road, vehicles over 25 ft are not permitted according to the NPS, and on the Dantes View Road only as far as the trailer car park; gravel roads are unsuitable for large vehicles. Legal maximum height 14 ft (4.27 m); in Las Vegas, multi-storey car parks have height limits.
- Season: best time October to April; frost at night in winter. Summer (May to September) is dangerous because of heat. Spring bloom (February to April) varies with winter rain. Flash floods after thunderstorms close roads.
- Reservations: in Death Valley, only Furnace Creek takes reservations (mandatory from 15 October to 15 April); Red Rock Campground via Recreation.gov; book sites early in peak season (February to April). Mojave National Preserve sites are mostly first come, first served; check the status.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception fails across large areas. In the event of a vehicle breakdown, stay with the vehicle and do not walk in the heat.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Water containers (at least 40 l in total) and spare containers: there are sources only at settlements.
- Sun protection, hat and light long clothing: the sun is extreme, and heat protection is central.
- Tyre pressure gauge, tyre repair kit and spare coolant: breakdowns in the desert are expensive and dangerous.
- Warm clothing for nights in winter and at altitudes such as Hole-in-the-Wall.
- Head torch and star chart: Death Valley has one of the darkest skies in the Lower 48.
- Offline maps and a satellite communicator: mobile reception fails across large areas.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Las Vegas** (NV)
2. **Pahrump** (NV)
3. **Dante’s View** (Death Valley National Park, CA): A viewpoint 5,475 feet above Badwater Basin with Telescope Peak across the valley. The paved road climbs 13 miles from SR-190; the last steep stretch is not suitable for vehicles over 25 feet. Cooler than the valley floor.
4. **Furnace Creek** (CA)
5. **Badwater Basin** (Death Valley, CA): At 282 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in North America. The salt flats crack into hexagons. Avoid midday in summer.
6. **Stovepipe Wells** (CA)
7. **Panamint Springs** (CA)
8. **Shoshone** (CA)
9. **Baker** (CA)
10. **Kelso Depot** (Kelso, CA): A Mission Revival railroad station from 1924, alone in the Mojave and now the visitor center of Mojave National Preserve. Freight trains still thunder past.
11. **Kelso Dunes** (Kelso, CA): Dunes rising about 600 feet above the desert floor; slide down the steep faces and the sand can make a low booming sound. Climb early, not in the midday heat.
12. **Hole-in-the-Wall** (Essex, CA): Volcanic cliffs riddled with holes, where the Rings Loop Trail climbs through a narrow slot using metal rings bolted into the rock. A campground sits nearby.
13. **Nipton** (CA)
14. **Las Vegas** (NV)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May and December. Hot in June–September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave?**
6-day round trip of about 855 km (531 mi) with 14 stops, starting and ending in Las Vegas. About 9 h 29 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave?**
We suggest 6 days: about 9 h 29 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave start and end?**
It is a round trip that starts and ends in Las Vegas.

**Which states does Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave pass through?**
Nevada and California.

**Where can you camp along Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave?**
OpenStreetMap lists 63 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Thousand Trails Las Vegas, Hitchin' Post RV Park and Motel and Las Vegas RV Resort.

**When is the best time for Salt, dunes and Joshua trees: by camper from Las Vegas through Death Valley and the Mojave?**
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)