Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is located in eastern California, near the Nevada border. It stretches across an area of about 3.4 million acres, making it the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Situated within the Great Basin and Mojave deserts, Death Valley is renowned for its extreme desert environment, stunning landscapes, and unique geology.

The park boasts a fascinating historical background. Native Americans inhabited the area for thousands of years, relying on the scarce water sources and natural resources to survive. In the mid-1800s, Death Valley gained attention during the California Gold Rush, becoming a route for travelers heading to the goldfields. However, the valley's name emerged due to a tragic incident in which a group of pioneers became stranded and perished within its harsh environment.

Today, Death Valley National Park offers a myriad of activities and attractions for visitors. Exploring the park's iconic desert landscapes topped with vast sand dunes, salt flats, and rugged mountains is a must. The Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, offers an otherworldly experience with its vast salt flats that shimmer under the scorching sun.

Travelers can also marvel at the mesquite sand dunes, a popular spot for photographers, or take a scenic drive along the Artist's Drive, featuring breathtaking multicolored volcanic and sedimentary hills. The park offers numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty, allowing visitors to admire the unique flora and fauna and spectacular vistas.

For those interested in the park's history, a visit to Scotty's Castle is recommended. This Spanish-style mansion tells the story of a legendary prospector and highlights the cultural heritage of the region. Other attractions include the Harmony Borax Works, the remains of a borax mining operation from the late 1800s, and the Charcoal Kilns, well-preserved historic structures showcasing the ingenuity of the early mining industry.

Moreover, Death Valley National Park is conveniently located near several other attractions. Travelers can take a short trip to the stunning Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in the nearby Stovepipe Wells Village or explore the panoramic views from Dante's View, offering a breathtaking overlook of the valley. The ghost town of Rhyolite, an abandoned gold rush-era town just outside the park's eastern boundary, serves as a captivating glimpse into the past.

In summary, Death Valley National Park is a vast desert oasis filled with unique geological formations and rich historical significance. It offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, photography, and exploring historic sites, making it an unparalleled destination for adventure and exploration. nearby attractions such as the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Dante's View provide additional opportunities to immerse oneself in the surrounding natural beauty.

Death Valley National Park is situated in the southeastern part of California, bordering both Nevada and the Mojave Desert. Nestled within the Great Basin and Mojave Desert region, this extraordinary park spans across the vast expanse of Inyo County. As one of the lowest and driest places in North America, Death Valley National Park sits remarkably at the point where the Amargosa River, Panamint Range, and the Sylvania Mountains converge. Its unique geography showcases a diverse landscape of salt pans, sand dunes, canyons, and towering peaks, offering visitors an awe-inspiring experience in one of the most extreme environments on the planet.

Address & Contact

PO Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
Driving Directions
Phone: 7607863200
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Death Valley National Park would be between November and March. During this period, the average maximum temperatures range from 66°F to 83°F, making it pleasant for outdoor activities. Additionally, the average minimum temperatures range from 42°F to 57°F, ensuring comfortable nights. Moreover, the average monthly precipitation is relatively low, ranging from 0.1 inches to 0.3 inches, indicating dry conditions. These months also have lower average visitor counts, ensuring a less crowded experience.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Death Valley National Park are: Astronomy Stargazing Food Guided Tours Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs Biking Road Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Canyoneering Hiking Front-Country Hiking Backcountry Hiking Horse Trekking Living History First Person Interpretation Mountain Biking Flying Golf

Topics

Learn about these topics at Death Valley National Park: Animals Birds Geology Night Sky Archeology Industry Native American Heritage Westward Expansion Fish Tortoises and Turtles Fossils and Paleontology Trails Unique Species Wilderness Mining The Gold Rush Asian American Heritage Women's History Foothills, Plains and Valleys Mountains Astronomy Scenic Views Endangered Incarceration Japanese-American Internment Dunes

Visitor Centers

Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station

Talk with a ranger and pay the park entrance fee. Note: This is a contact station, not a full visitor center. Hours vary- not open every day. Please call: (760) 786-3200 for today's hours.

Campsites within or near Death Valley National Park

Emigrant Campground

First come / first served tent only campground with no additional fee. Located next to CA 190 at 2100' feet in elevation. Emigrant campground overlooks the Cottonwood Mountains which is a part of the Panamint Range. This is a small campground with 10 sites southwest of Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station. A building with flush toilets is 270 feet down a dirt trail just outside of the campground.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Emigrant Campground Camping Fee)
Total Campsites: 10
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Eureka Dunes Campground (Primitive)

Remote campground at the base of Eureka Dunes (the tallest sand dunes in California and home to several endemic plant species). This campground is located at 2,880ft and is only accessible to high-clearance vehicles. Please drive only on existing roads and tread lightly on the dunes to protect this fragile and unique environment.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Backcountry Campground)
Total Campsites: 7
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Furnace Creek Campground

Located near Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Furnace Creek Campground is the only NPS campground in the park that accepts reservations and has sites with full RV hookups as well as dry RV and tent sites. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance for camping dates between 10/15 and 4/15; the remainder of the year the campground is first-come-first-serve. This is the most popular campground in the park and reservations are strongly recommended.
Fees (US$): 22.00 (RV/Tent Sites), 36.00 (Full Hook-up Sites), 35.00 (Group Sites #3, 4, 5), 60.00 (Group Sites #1 and #2)
Total Campsites: 136
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Homestake Campground (Primitive)

Extremely remote campsite at 3,785ft of elevation, accessible only by high-clearance vehicles with all-terrain tires. Access from Saline Valley Road requires navigating Lippincott Pass and should only be attempted by experienced 4-wheel drivers. There are no approved toilet facilities at this location and no water available. Pack in all that you need, pack out all that you bring.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Camping Fee)
Total Campsites: 10
Toilets: No Toilets
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive)

First come / first served primitive campground with no additional fee located in a Pinyon Pine and Juniper forest at 8,200' elevation. Great views down into Death Valley. Located near the Telescope Peak trailhead. Dirt road access requires high-clearance vehicles, often 4x4 required.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Mahogany Flat Campground Fee)
Total Campsites: 9
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Mesquite Spring Campground

First come / first served campground at an elevation of 1,800 feet, located 2 miles off of the Scotty’s Castle Road below Grapevine Canyon. It is a great base camp for your adventures in the northern parts of Death ValIey National Park. It is surrounded by desert mountains and geological features. Each site has a fire grate and picnic table. There are no hook-ups available. Fee is paid at the automatic pay station at the front of the campground.
Fees (US$): 7.00 (Mesquite Campground Fee - Senior/Access Rate), 14.00 (Mesquite Campground Fee - Standard Rate)
Total Campsites: 40
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Saline Valley Campground (Primitive)

This is a clothing-optional hot spring area approximately 35 miles from the nearest paved road. A high-clearance vehicle and all-terrain tires are necessary to access this campground and road/weather conditions may necessitate 4-wheel drive. This campground is located at 1,375ft, but requires navigating either North Pass at 7,300ft or South Pass at 5,997ft and may be inaccessible due to winter conditions.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Camping Fee)
Total Campsites: 15
Toilets: NULL
Showers: NULL
Potable Water: NULL

Stovepipe Wells Campground

Open seasonally starting October 15th at noon. First come, first served campground located at sea level. The Stovepipe Wells campground has views of Death Valley proper and of the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. It is adjacent to the Stovepipe Wells general store, ranger station, and a privately operated RV park. Fee is paid at the pay station at the front of the campground.
Fees (US$): 14.00 (Stovepipe Wells Camping - Standard Rate), 7.00 (Stovepipe Wells Camping - Senior & Access Rate)
Total Campsites: 190
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Sunset Campground

Open seasonally starting October 15th at noon. First come, first served, large campground that rarely fills. This location has little to no vegetation and is comprised of desert gravels. Car and tent camping is permitted however each site DOES NOT offer a firegrate or picnic table. Campfires are not allowed in Sunset except at a few designated public areas within the campground. Fee is paid at the pay station in the campground.
Fees (US$): 14.00 (Sunset Campground Camping), 7.00 (Sunset Campground Camping - Senior/Access Rate)
Total Campsites: 230
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Texas Springs Campground

Open seasonally starting October 15th at noon. First come, first served campground located in the hills above Furnace Creek. Great views and some trees. No generators allowed. Each site has a firegrate and picnic table. Fee is paid at pay station at the front of the campground.
Fees (US$): 16.00 (Texas Spring Camping)
Total Campsites: 92
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Thorndike Campground (Primitive)

First come / first served primitive, forested campground with no additional fee located at 7,400' elevation. Accessible to high clearance vehicles (no longer than 25'), and 4x4 may be necessary.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Thorndike Campground)
Total Campsites: 6
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: No water

Wildrose Campground

First come / first served campground with no additional fee high in the Panamint Mountains. Located at an elevation of 4100 ft / 1250 meters. No hook-ups available. Generators allowed 7am - 7pm. This area is prone to high winds. Sites are dirt and gravel surrounded by Mesquite bushes and rolling hills.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Wildrose Camping Fee)
Total Campsites: 23
Toilets: Vault Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Hotels within or near Death Valley National Park

The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park

With a stay at The Ranch at Death Valley Inside the Park in Death Valley, you'll be 4.5 mi (7.3 km) from Zabriskie Point and 17.6 mi (28.3 km) from Death Valley National Park. Featured amenities include a computer station, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Death Valley? This resort features 0 square feet (0 square meters) of event facilities. RV/bus/truck parking is available onsite.
Address: Highway 190, Death Valley, California 92328
Web: Link

The Inn at Death Valley – Inside the Park

Located in Death Valley, The Inn at Death Valley Inside the Park is in a national park, within a 5-minute drive of Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Golden Canyon. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Death Valley? This hotel features 4000 square feet (372 square meters) of event facilities. RV/bus/truck parking is available onsite.
Address: Highway 190, Death Valley, California 92328
Web: Link

Stovepipe Wells Village

When you stay at Stovepipe Wells Village in Death Valley, you'll be in a national park and 8 minutes by car from Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby and a 24-hour front desk. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Address: 51880 CA-190, Death Valley, California 92328
Web: Link

The Ranch at Death Valley

Located in Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley is within a 5-minute drive of Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Zabriskie Point.
Address: CA-190, Death Valley, California 92328
Web: Link