Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Mahogany Flat Campground
Mahogany Flat Campground lies at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Parl. The campground provides access to hiking and backpacking, as well as mountaineering opportunities.
The campground is located near to Thorndike Campground along Emigrant Canyon Road. The privative camp sites are nestled among a Pinyon Pine and Juniper forest along the ridgeline of the Panamint Range.
The trail leading to Telescope Peak and down Tuber Canyon begins at this campground. This campground offers some of the best views in Death Valley, and lots of opportunity to hike, explore and enjoy the nature within the park.
The site is open from March to November and makes a good place to escape the summer heat of the valley below it. There are ten individual camping sites, each with a table and fireplace. Pit toilets are maintained on site.
Fires are allowed at NPS fire pits only. No firewood collecting is permitted; bring your own wood. Fires are prohibited June 15-September 15 and periods of high fire danger.
Campground Summary
| Name | Mahogany Flat Campground |
| Location | Panamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.22996, -117.068193 |
| Sites | 10 |
| Elevation | 8200 feet |
| Amenities | Tables, Fire Pits, Vault Toilets, NO Water |
Mahogany Flat Campground Map
References
Emigrant Campground
Emigrant Campground is a tent only campground located next to CA Route 190 near the boundary of Death Valley National Park, California. The campgrounds is located at about 2150 foot elevation and overlooks the cottonwood mountains, which are part of the Panamint Range.
Typical campground amenities with more services to the north-east at Stovepipe Wells Village. The elevation of the park at over 2000 feet offers some views and hints at the dynamic landscape below.
This small, little campground is not much more beyond a clearing by the side of CA 190 with 10 campsites outlined in rocks. The campground is literally just off of the highway, and those with children of pets should be on watch.
The campsites are primarily dirt with pavement at picnic area. Due to its proximity with the park boundary, this campground could serve as a staging campsite at the park boundary and allow access to further deeper exploration within the National Park.
Gas burning stoves are permitted. Fires and charcoal grills are prohibited.
Campground Summary
| Name | Emigrant Campground |
| Location | Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.496552556, -117.227519732 |
| Elevation | 2150 |
| Sites | 10 |
| Amenities | potable water, flushing toilets |
Emigrant Campground Map
References
Texas Springs Campground
Texas Springs Campground is another large campground, primarilyy for RV and trailer camping within Death Valley National Park. The campground a mile of the Furnace Creek Ranch Resort and the Furnace Creek hotel. The campground is located in the hills above Furnace Creek and offers great views, sunsets and star gazing opportunities.
The campground is quite popular and despite its size, it can fill up. There is little under growth, and the camp sites proximity to each other can leave one to feel exposed.
Close to a lot of amenities in Furnace Creek, such as a store, borax museum & gas station, this campground offers a central location to scout out and explore Death Valley. This campground is located about 87 feet below sea level which and one of the lowest campgrounds in the world.
This campground is seasonal and only open from October to April each year. The high desert heat which can measure over 125F, would make this an unbearable location to camp in the summer months. The campground is maintained and operated by the National Park Service.
Campground Summary
| Name | Texas Springs Campground |
| Location | Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.459830, -116.856782 |
| Elevation | -87 feet below sea level |
| Number of Sites | 92 Total 26 Tent Only |
| Amenities | Water, flush toilets, picnic tables, a dump station and fire pits. |
Texas Springs Campground Map
References
Sunset Campground
Sunset Campground is another large, flat parking lot campground primary for RV camping located near Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, California. The Campground is with a mile of the Furnace Creek Ranch Resort and the Furnace Creek hotel.
Although close to a lot of amenities in Furnace Creek, such as a store, borax museum & gas station the camping experience is like camping in a parking lot. The campground rarely fills to capacity and this is probably due to its layout and almost a complete lack of vegetation.
The campground is a large, flat, gravel clearing. The campsites are marked off and numbers by chalk. Earlier reports had the campground at 270 sites which is now marked down to 230. undoubtably to make it seem more open. This location is best suited for RV and trailer camping. This is a wonderful location for sky gazers who seek a clear night sky with little light pollution.
Sunset campground contains 230 camp sites. There are two group fire rings in the camp. No personal fire grates or charcoal grills are allowed. Gas burning stoves are permitted.
Campground Summary
| Name | Sunset Campground |
| Location | Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.461059, -116.863386 |
| Elevation | -160 feet below sea level |
| Sites | 230 |
| Amenities | Dump station, flush toilets, water availale |
Sunset Campground Map
References
Stovepipe Wells
Stovepipe Wells Campgound is located in Stovepipe wells just off the 190 highway in Death Valley National Park. Located about 25 miles away from Furnace Creek, Stovepipe wells contains a restaurant, gas station, gift shop and reasonable nice amenities for the area.
The campground itself is more suitable for RV and Trails and has the feeling of a large parking lot, which does not offer much in a remote camping experience. However, it does contain some tent sites along the northern edge of the campsite. For tent campers, the campsites leave much to be desired, in my opinion. I prefer not to be surrounded by a sea of land yachts running generators.
The tent sites are the only locations which allow fires and since you are on the edge of the campground you can get the feeling of isolation provided you are looking North. High winds and sandstorms at night are frequent. On my last visit a powerful wind guest hit while I was returning from the restroom. I was greeted with the sight of a tent flying at a high rate of speed with about 100 feet in altitude above the desert floor. Several minutes later a camper came walking by, and when asked I told him “It went that away” pointing out into the desert.
There are some nice hikes nearby which include the local sand dunes, Mosaic Canyon, Nemo Canyon and Grotto Canyon.
Additionally, the Mesquite Flat Sand dunes located just to the east of the camp ground offers a nice area to explore, if the weather cooperates.
The gas in here is very expensive, and the only place I know you can get 85 octane fuel. It is cheaper than the gas prices at Furnace Creek.
Campground Summary
| Name | Stovepipe Wells Campground |
| Location | Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.60611, -117.14556 |
| Elevation | -23 feet below sea level |
| Sites | 190 Total 28 Tent only |
| Amenities | Water, Fire Rings, Tables |