Death Valley National Park
A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Trip · 3-day camping trip
For · Friends and new campers
Vibe · Relaxing and chill
Reservations · Yes, book a site at Furnace Creek Campground
Drive · 4.5 hours from LA
Ideal dates · October to April
Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on trails
Death Valley National Park (DVNP) is a land of extremes: It's the largest national park in the country outside of Alaska at over 3.4 million acres. It's home to Badwater Basin: the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Death Valley was the hottest place on Earth ever when it reached 134 degrees Fahrenheit in July 1913! Most importantly, it's an ideal place for desert camping during the winter. From salt flats to sand dunes, Death Valley is a fascinating departure from the everyday.
Official National Park Website
Download Park Visitor's Guide
Main image credit: Nate Rickert
Each campsite comes with a:
Death Valley NP has nine campgrounds: Furnace Creek, Sunset, Texas Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Mesquite Spring, Emigrant, Wildrose, Thorndike, and Mahogany Flat. Furnace Creek is the only campground that can be reserved ahead of time. All others are first-come, first-serve. You won't find hot showers at any of the campgrounds, but there is drinking water and toilets at most (Emigrant, Thorndike and Mahogany Flat do not!).
Check-in: After 1 PM · Check-out: Before 2 PM
Nightly Rate: $22
In 1933, President Herbert Hoover established Death Valley National Monument and it became a national park in 1994
The Timbisha tribe lived in Death Valley for a millennia. They named the area "tümpisa", which means "rock paint
In 1849, pioneers prospecting for gold gave the CA valley its English name, "Death Valley," after 13 people died during an early expedition
A spacious sleeping bag that will help you stay warm for spring, summer, and fall camping.
Essential Items
Whether it's coffee or cocoa, bring a silicone mug like this one into the wild. Your tummy will thank you.
Kitchen
Leave your backpacking pack at camp, and use this sleek, compressible pack for day hikes.
Shared Gear
An affordable day pack for bringing snacks, sunglasses, and water on your next day hike.
Shared Gear
Handmade in Seattle, Washington, this sleeping bag is pricey, but you can count on it lasting for years.
Essential Items
A fun, affordable tent for beginner car campers that can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.
Shared Gear
An absorbent, antimicrobial fabric that will keep you clean and dry down under.
Personal Stuff
This cook station has plenty of storage and counter space, and is easy to set up and carry out.
Kitchen
If you like to toss and turn at night, this sleeping pad is known for being a quiet, quality option for car campers.
Essential Items
A solid, lightweight, and relatively affordable tent for people are new to backpacking.
Shared Gear
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.
