Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Texas Springs Campground
Texas Springs Campground is one of the more appealing developed campgrounds in Death Valley National Park, perched on a hillside just above the Furnace Creek area. It offers a quieter, more scenic alternative to the flatter, denser valley-floor options like Sunset or Furnace Creek, with sweeping views and a strict no-generator rule that keeps nights peaceful.
Geographic Description
The campground sits in the hills above Furnace Creek at roughly sea level (around –32 ft / –10 m in some reports). From the upper loop you get elevated views across the valley floor toward the Black Mountains and distant Panamint Range, plus golden light on the surrounding mudstone hills and badlands at sunrise and sunset. The landscape is classic Death Valley—sparse vegetation of tamarisk and other desert plants, rocky/gravel pads, and open desert. Lower sites offer a bit more protection and some shade trees; upper sites feel more exposed and panoramic. It’s a short drive (or walkable distance for some) from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, The Oasis at Death Valley (formerly Furnace Creek Ranch/Inn), and major attractions such as Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Palette, and Badwater Basin.
Amenities and Facilities
- Sites: Approximately 92–106 total (NPS lists 106), including about 26 tent-only sites. Mix of tent, van, and small-to-medium RV spots (max ~35 ft motorhomes / shorter trailers recommended). Paved access roads lead to unpaved/gravel pads. Upper loop tends to be better for RVs with more space and pull-through options; lower loop favors tents and has more vegetation/shade.
- Each site: Picnic table and fire grate/ring.
- Facilities: Flush toilets (clean by most accounts), potable water spigots (seasonal), dump station (seasonal), and trash/recycling collection (seasonal).
- Not available: No hookups (dry camping only), no showers on-site (paid showers sometimes accessible nearby at the resort), no Wi-Fi, limited or no reliable cell service depending on carrier.
- Other rules: Generators prohibited (this is a key plus for quiet). Pets allowed on leash (max 4 per site, supervised). Max 8 people and 2 vehicles (or 1 RV + tow vehicle) per site. Firewood must be brought in or purchased nearby—no gathering. Quiet hours typically enforced.
Fee: $20 per night (increased from $16 in 2024; half-price with Senior or Access pass). Separate park entrance fee applies ($30 per vehicle for 7 days). Pay at onsite automated stations (credit/debit). First-come, first-served only—no reservations.
Best Times to Visit
Texas Springs is open seasonally, typically from mid-to-late October (or November) through mid-April, closing for the extreme summer heat when valley temperatures routinely exceed 100–120°F even at night.
- Prime window: November through March. Daytime highs are often pleasant (60s–70s°F / teens–20s°C), nights cool to cold, and skies clear for excellent stargazing. Late fall and winter deliver comfortable hiking weather and dramatic desert light.
- Shoulder periods: Late October opening and early-to-mid April can still work but grow warmer and busier; the campground fills faster as temperatures rise.
- Avoid: Summer (campground closed) and major holiday weekends (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year’s, Presidents’ Day, spring break) when sites fill by early afternoon or earlier. Arrive by late morning or early afternoon in peak season for the best pick of sites, especially upper-loop view spots.
Overall vibe and tips: Campers consistently praise the quieter atmosphere (thanks to the generator ban), the hillside setting with better views than the parking-lot feel of nearby Sunset, and the convenient base for exploring central Death Valley highlights. Sites can feel close together with limited privacy and shade, and the ground is rocky, so sturdy tent stakes help. It pairs well with a stop at the visitor center for maps, water, and supplies. Check the NPS Alerts & Conditions page before travel, as exact open/close dates and water availability can shift slightly year to year. If you value quiet nights, decent facilities, and elevated desert views without needing full RV hookups, Texas Springs is one of the stronger choices in the park.
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 Death Valley National Park’s large, no-frills overflow campground near Furnace Creek. It is essentially a big, open gravel/dirt lot with marked sites—practical and convenient rather than scenic or private—and serves mainly as a reliable, affordable base for exploring the park.
Sunset Campground is Death Valley National Park’s large, no-frills overflow campground near Furnace Creek. It is essentially a big, open gravel/dirt lot with marked sites—practical and convenient rather than scenic or private—and serves mainly as a reliable, affordable base for exploring the park.
Geographic Description
Located on the valley floor just across from the Timbisha Shoshone village and very close to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Ranch/Oasis area (store, restaurants, ice cream), and other services, the campground sits at roughly –150 to –190 feet elevation—one of the lowest developed camping spots in North America.
The setting is classic lower Death Valley: flat desert gravel with almost no vegetation or shade, open views of the surrounding mountain ranges (especially good sunset light on the Panamints), and vast dark night skies. Wind is common, and the open layout means little privacy or protection from the elements. It feels more like a large parking area than a traditional wooded campground, which is exactly what you should expect at this elevation.
Amenities
- Sites: Approximately 230 (some sources list up to 270), first-come/first-served, no reservations. Suitable for tents, cars, and RVs of various sizes (no strict length limits noted). Sites are unmarked beyond chalk lines or basic markers; no individual picnic tables or fire grates.
- Utilities: No electric, water, or sewer hookups. Seasonal potable water, flush toilets (scattered throughout), and a dump station are available. No showers on site.
- Fires: Only at a few designated community fire rings (wood gathering prohibited). Bring a portable stove/grill for cooking.
- Other: Trash collection (seasonal), camp hosts often present, generators allowed during daytime hours (typically 7 a.m.–7 or 9 p.m.), quiet hours at night. Pets permitted on leash. Nearby Furnace Creek store provides ice, basic groceries, firewood, and supplies.
- Fee: Around $18 per night (half price with Senior/Access pass); pay at automated stations with credit/debit card. Stay limit is generally 30 days.
It is better suited to RVers and those treating the campsite mainly as a place to sleep than to tent campers seeking shade, privacy, or a classic camping atmosphere. Texas Springs (nearby, up the hill) is often preferred when available for a more natural feel.
Best Times to Visit
Sunset is seasonal, typically open from mid-to-late October through mid-April (exact dates can vary slightly; it closes when summer heat arrives).
- Prime season: November through March (especially December–February). Daytime temperatures are usually comfortable (60s–80s °F), nights can drop into the 30s–40s, and crowds are manageable outside peak holiday weekends. The campground almost always has space even when Furnace Creek and Texas Springs fill up.
- Shoulder periods: Late October and early/mid-April can still work but watch for rising heat.
- Avoid: Late spring through early fall. Valley-floor temperatures routinely exceed 100–120 °F (and nights stay very warm), making camping unsafe and unpleasant. Higher-elevation park campgrounds are the better option then.
Tips: Arrive earlier in the day on busy winter weekends/holidays if you want a perimeter site with better views and less generator noise. Bring everything you need for self-contained camping (table, stove with windscreen, water containers if desired). Cell service is limited/variable; treat the location as a practical hub for day trips to Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, Zabriskie Point, Golden Canyon, and other nearby highlights.
Overall, Sunset Campground is not the prettiest or most amenity-rich option in Death Valley, but it is one of the most dependable and centrally located for winter visitors who prioritize access and availability over atmosphere.
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 Campground
Stovepipe Wells Campground is a large, no-frills National Park Service campground in the heart of Death Valley National Park, California. It offers a practical, centrally located base for exploring the park’s iconic desert landscapes, especially the nearby Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Mosaic Canyon. Expect a straightforward, exposed desert camping experience rather than a secluded or luxurious one.
Geographic Description
The campground sits at roughly sea level (about –10 to +10 feet / –3 to +3 m elevation) along California Highway 190 in the central part of the park, roughly 24 miles (39 km) west of Furnace Creek. It occupies a broad, flat, open stretch of the valley floor with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains—including the Cottonwood Mountains to the west and Tucki Mountain to the south—and the famous Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes just a couple of miles north.
The setting is classic Death Valley: arid, sparsely vegetated desert with sparse scrub, gravel, and sand under vast, often cloudless skies. There is essentially no natural shade or privacy among the sites. After dark, the location benefits from Death Valley’s International Dark Sky Park status, delivering excellent stargazing. The surrounding terrain includes wind-sculpted dunes, polished marble canyons, and distant colorful badlands and salt flats reachable by short drives.
Amenities and Facilities
- Sites: 190 total sites (mostly open gravel/parking-lot style suitable for RVs, trailers, and vehicle camping; 28 designated tent-only sites). First-come, first-served; no reservations. Typical fee is around $18 per night (half-price with Senior or Access Pass). Maximum 8 people and limited vehicles per site; stays capped at 30 days.
- Water & Sanitation: Seasonal potable water and flush toilets. Dump station (seasonal). Trash and recycling collection available.
- Fires: Wood fires allowed only in the NPS fire grates at the 28 tent sites (collecting wood is prohibited; firewood sold at the nearby store). Gas stoves permitted park-wide.
- Other on-site/nearby: Adjacent Stovepipe Wells general store (supplies, ice, firewood year-round), ranger station, and the privately operated Stovepipe Wells Village (motel, restaurant, bar, gift shop, gas station, and a small full-hookup RV park). Guests can purchase pool and shower passes from the Village and use complimentary Wi-Fi there. No showers, electricity, or sewer hookups at the NPS campground itself. Generator hours typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m. Pets are generally allowed on leash.
The overall feel is more “functional desert parking lot with basic services” than a traditional wooded campground—convenient and affordable, but exposed to wind, sun, and other campers.
Best Times to Visit
Late fall through early spring (roughly mid-to-late October through mid-April) is ideal and when the campground is typically open. Daytime highs are usually in the 60s–70s °F (comfortable for hiking and exploring), with nights in the 30s–50s °F. Winter (November–February) is peak season for mild weather and fewer extreme heat risks.
Spring (especially late March–early April after a wet winter) can bring impressive wildflower displays. Fall (October–November) offers pleasant temperatures as the intense summer heat begins to ease, though early October can still be hot.
Avoid summer (mid-April through mid-October). The campground closes due to extreme heat—daytime temperatures regularly exceed 110–120 °F (and can reach well above that), with nights that often stay uncomfortably warm. Lower-elevation camping becomes unsafe and unpleasant.
Arrive early in the day during peak season (especially weekends and holidays) because sites fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Always check current NPS alerts for exact opening/closing dates, road conditions, and water availability, as these can vary with weather and maintenance.
Overall verdict: Stovepipe Wells Campground is an excellent, no-nonsense base if you want quick access to the sand dunes, central park attractions, and basic services without driving far every day. It’s best for RVers and vehicle campers who prioritize location and convenience over privacy or shade. Tent campers should be prepared for full sun and wind exposure. Pair it with early-morning dune walks, Mosaic Canyon hikes, and evening stargazing for a classic Death Valley experience.
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 |
Stovepipe Wells Campground Map
Eureka Dunes Dry Camp
Eureka Dunes Campground (Primitive) is a remote, no-frills outpost at the base of California’s tallest sand dunes in the far northwestern corner of Death Valley National Park. It delivers solitude, dramatic scenery, and exceptional dark skies for those willing to drive rough roads and fully self-sufficient.
Geographic Description
The campground sits at about 2,880 feet elevation in Eureka Valley, an isolated enclosed basin northwest of the main Death Valley floor. The Eureka Dunes themselves rise more than 680 feet above the dry lakebed—among the tallest in California and possibly North America—spanning roughly 3 miles long by 1 mile wide. They form a pale mountain of sand against the rugged, color-banded limestone walls of the Last Chance Mountains, which tower another 4,000 feet above the valley. The setting feels otherworldly: golden, wind-sculpted dunes framed by stark desert mountains under vast, empty skies. The area is a true “island in the desert,” home to endemic plants found nowhere else (including the endangered Eureka dunegrass, Eureka evening primrose, and shining milkvetch). Under the right dry conditions the dunes can “sing,” producing a deep bass-like or organ-pipe hum as sand avalanches.
Access requires high-clearance vehicles (4WD recommended, especially after weather). From the park’s Scotty’s Castle Road / Ubehebe area it’s a long graded dirt route; from Big Pine on US 395 it’s roughly 28 miles paved then 21+ miles dirt, with the final ~10 miles on South Eureka Valley Road often washboarded, rutted, and sandy. RVs and trailers are generally not advised.
Amenities
This is a true primitive campground with seven first-come, first-served sites (no reservations, no camping fee beyond the park entrance fee).
- Concrete picnic tables and metal fire rings at each site
- Vault/pit toilet (condition varies; sometimes poorly maintained)
- Sites are spaced for relative privacy
What you will not find: water, electricity, showers, trash service, dump station, or cell service. Pack in all water and supplies and pack out all trash. Fires are allowed only in the provided rings; propane stoves are fine. Pets are generally allowed but keep them leashed and off the sensitive dunes. Sandboarding and driving on the dunes are prohibited to protect the fragile endemic species.
Best Times to Visit
Open year-round, but summer (roughly June–August) is strongly discouraged—daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100°F and the exposed valley offers little shade or relief.
Ideal seasons are spring (March–May) and fall (September–November), when daytime highs are typically in the 60s–80s°F and nights are cool and clear—perfect for hiking the dunes and stargazing. Winter can be excellent for solitude and dark skies (nights get cold; bring warm gear), though roads may be affected by weather. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. Always check current road conditions and weather with the park (760-786-3200) before committing to the long dirt drive.
Nearby Points of Interest
- Eureka Dunes themselves — The main attraction. Hiking to the summit is a strenuous but rewarding slog (steep loose sand; ~3 miles round-trip with significant elevation gain). Early morning or late afternoon light is spectacular; the “singing” phenomenon is a rare bonus when conditions are right.
- Ubehebe Crater — A large volcanic maar crater (and smaller Little Hebe) reachable via the approach roads; rim walks and views of colorful layered walls.
- Scotty’s Castle area — Historic (flood-damaged and long closed to full tours, but the vicinity remains part of the northern park experience).
- Further afield within the park: the Racetrack Playa (famous sliding rocks, longer rough road), Mesquite Flat Dunes, and classic Death Valley highlights such as Badwater Basin or Artist’s Palette if continuing south.
Overall verdict: Eureka Dunes Campground ranks among Death Valley’s most memorable remote experiences for self-reliant campers who prize solitude, night skies, and unique geology over comfort. The payoff—waking up at the foot of towering golden dunes with almost no one else around—is outstanding. Come prepared, tread lightly on the fragile ecosystem, and the isolation becomes the highlight rather than a drawback.
Campground Summary
| Campground Name | Eureka Dunes Dry Camp |
| Location | Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 37.111773, -117.680898 |
| Elevation | 2890 |
| Number of Sites | 4 |
| Amenities | Restrooms, tables |
Eureka Dunes Campground Map
References
Thorndike Campground
Thorndike Campground is a small, free, first-come, first-served primitive campground in Death Valley National Park’s Panamint Mountains. It offers a quiet, forested high-elevation escape from the extreme heat of the valley floor.
Geographic Description
Thorndike sits at about 7,400 feet (2,250 m) elevation among pinyon pine and juniper trees. This creates a cooler, shadier, more alpine feel than the typical Death Valley landscape far below. The surrounding terrain is rugged and mountainous, with sandy sites in places and views into the surrounding peaks and canyons. Temperatures here are often 20–30°F cooler than the valley floor, making it a genuine refuge during warmer months.
Access requires a high-clearance vehicle (maximum recommended length ~25 feet); 4WD is often needed, especially on the final stretch of rough dirt road beyond the Charcoal Kilns. The campground is remote—roughly 50–60+ miles and 1.5–2 hours from Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells depending on the route.
Amenities
This is true primitive camping with minimal facilities:
- 6 sites (tent or small high-clearance vehicles/RVs)
- Picnic tables and fire rings/grates at sites
- Seasonal vault toilets (often noted as surprisingly clean)
- Seasonal trash collection
- No potable water, showers, electricity, dump station, cell service, Wi-Fi, camp store, or firewood for sale
You must bring all water (nearest sources are many miles away—Emigrant area or Stovepipe Wells) and your own firewood (gathering is prohibited). Wood fires are allowed only in provided NPS pits and are banned during high fire danger periods (typically mid-June to mid-September). Quiet hours are 10 pm–7 am; max 8 people and limited vehicles per site; 30-day stay limit.
Best Times to Visit
The campground is typically open mid-April through December, weather and snow permitting. It can remain snowy or icy into late spring, and winter access is often impossible or closed.
- Best overall: Late spring through fall (especially May–October/early November). Daytime temperatures are comfortable (often 60s–80s°F), nights are cool to cold, and the elevation provides a welcome break from valley heat.
- Summer is viable here when lower elevations are dangerously hot.
- Avoid or carefully check conditions in winter/early spring due to snow, ice, and road closures.
- Arrive early on weekends or holidays—there are only six sites and no reservations.
Always check current road and weather conditions with the National Park Service before going, as high-elevation conditions change quickly.
Nearby Points of Interest
Thorndike makes an excellent base for high-country exploration:
- Wildrose Charcoal Kilns — Just down the road (a short drive or walk). These well-preserved 1870s beehive-shaped stone kilns are among the best surviving examples in the West and offer easy exploration plus trailheads.
- Mahogany Flat Campground — A few miles farther up the road at ~8,200 ft; more sites and the primary trailhead for Telescope Peak.
- Telescope Peak (11,049 ft) — The highest point in Death Valley National Park. The strenuous ~14-mile round-trip hike (with ~3,000 ft gain) starts at Mahogany Flat and delivers spectacular views of Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and surrounding ranges. Thorndike works well as a lower staging camp if Mahogany Flat is full or the final road section is too rough.
- Wildrose Peak trail (from near the kilns)
- Broader Panamint Range hiking, stargazing (excellent dark skies), and wildlife viewing
Overall impression: Thorndike is ideal for self-sufficient campers seeking solitude, cooler temperatures, and a forested mountain setting within Death Valley. It is not for those needing amenities, large RVs, or easy access. The combination of free camping, shade from pinyon and juniper, and proximity to the Charcoal Kilns and Telescope Peak trail makes it a standout high-elevation option when conditions allow. Pack thoroughly, drive carefully, and enjoy the quiet.
Campground Summary
| Name | Thorndike Campground |
| Location | Panamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.236893, -117.071446 |
| Elevation | 7400 feet |
| Site | 6 |
| Amenities | Tables, Fireplaces, and vault toilets. |