Warning
GeneralFIRE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE: Campfires are only permitted with the use of a fire pan or other fireproof barrier that prevents the fire from directly contacting the ground and does not damage the natural surface. NO wood gathering is allowed. All accumulated ashes and burned wood must be collected and packed out.
Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
About Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
Number of accommodations: 43
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Photography
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
43 Sites Available
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Site Details
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43 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (140)
What Guests Are Saying
Camping at Death Valley's backcountry sites offers a unique experience with ample space, privacy, and stunning views, especially in sites like E7 and Hole in the Wall. Most reviewers praised the quiet atmosphere, excellent stargazing, and well-maintained roads, making it accessible for high-clearance vehicles. However, some noted challenges like strong winds and limited amenities, which require careful planning but ultimately contribute to a rewarding and serene camping experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Camping at Death Valley's backcountry sites offers a unique experience with ample space, privacy, and stunning views, especially in sites like E7 and Hole in the Wall. Most reviewers praised the quiet atmosphere, excellent stargazing, and well-maintained roads, making it accessible for high-clearance vehicles. However, some noted challenges like strong winds and limited amenities, which require careful planning but ultimately contribute to a rewarding and serene camping experience.
Review Summary
Dee S
VerifiedMarch 1, 2025 • Stayed at: H2, Loop: Hole in the Wall Road
Beautiful campsite- remote yet easy access to the park. We appreciate the road improvements this year
Chris C
VerifiedFebruary 26, 2025 • Stayed at: G8, Loop: Greenwater Valley Road
Beautiful, but please groom these dirt roads. This park has the worst washboard roads I’ve ever seen in my life and we support a vast amount of funding. Thank you!
Thomas C
VerifiedFebruary 24, 2025 • Stayed at: G8, Loop: Greenwater Valley Road
Excellent backcountry camping spot. 4x4 is not required, make sure you have enough clearance. Sharp rocks, so watch out for that. No cell service.
Super dark skies for excellent stargazing. Great views of Black Mountain.
Joseph D
VerifiedFebruary 24, 2025 • Stayed at: H6, Loop: Hole in the Wall Road
Great campsite. Help protect our public lands.
Aaron R
VerifiedFebruary 19, 2025 • Stayed at: H3, Loop: Hole in the Wall Road
Outstanding option for dispersed camping within the national park! Very quiet and peaceful without too much road traffic to detract from your solitude. Also quite close to some of the major hikes and destinations near furnace creek.
Rachel C
VerifiedFebruary 16, 2025 • Stayed at: H5, Loop: Hole in the Wall Road
I like the Backcountry sites, but the reservation system has problems. There's no way to change the reservation once the time period has passed. If it was only the money I wouldn't care but there are limited sites, and it is unfair to others when last minute situations prevent one from using the site. I was prevented from coming at the last minute, and it makes me mad that nobody could use the site. This is not how most reservation systems work and you need to fix it!
Zachary N
VerifiedFebruary 13, 2025 • Stayed at: C4, Loop: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Awesome camping alongside road. No water alongside road for camping use but that's to be expected. Overall great experience
Todd E
VerifiedFebruary 13, 2025 • Stayed at: H1, Loop: Hole in the Wall Road
Stayed in both Echo Canyon camp spots and Hole in the Wall camp spots. The roads are well-graded, and the camp spots are spacious and a nice distance apart. Highly recommend
John B
VerifiedFebruary 12, 2025 • Stayed at: C5, Loop: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Site C5 in Cottonwood Canyon was OK. Basically just a side drive plowed next to the road. Very rocky and gravelly - bring strong stakes. C6 and C7 farther up the Canyon about the same. C6 had a flatter area for tents than C5.
Downside of the reservation site and app - no GPS coordinates for any of the sites. They should include this to help decide how far up the canyon you want to go.
Karel B
VerifiedFebruary 11, 2025 • Stayed at: E5, Loop: Echo Canyon Road
I stayed at Echo Canyon for a couple of nights, site E5. Nice gravel road, I didn’t feel the need to air down. I thought that E5 was one of the better sites as it was right outside of the mouth of the canyon and didn’t feel too out in the open like sites E1-E4. Sites E6-E9 were all inside of the canyon which felt a bit cold and claustrophobic due to limited sunshine and the steep canyon walls. Site E9 opened up a bit to a nice clearing. A few miles down the road was Inyo Mine, which is slightly interesting although the drive was really pretty. I forgot to mention The Eye of the Needle which is a neat rock formation, easier seen on your way back down the canyon. All in all, a solid place to camp, nice views, quiet (when I was there), and well taken care of with no visible trash around and easy to get to. I did switch over to 4 High as the gravel is pretty deep and I didn’t want to throw any rocks around while cruising around. There is a ranger that patrols the area checking reservations so I would advise against squatting at a site.
Location Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
Address:
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley, CA, 92328
United States
The campground is accessible via Highway 190, which is the main road through Death Valley National Park.
Latitude & Longitude: 36.4617 / -116.867
Elevation: -58 feet
Policies & Rules
General
- It is the responsibility of all trip participants to understand and obey all park rules and regulations.
- Permit holders are required to carry a digital or printed copy of their permit at all times during their trip.
- Wilderness travel in Death Valley National Park is inherently dangerous, and users assume complete responsibility for their own safety. There is minimal cell reception in most areas of the park, and rescue is not a certainty. Plan ahead and be prepared.
- Vehicle Requirements - High clearance and 4x4 vehicles are required for most backcountry travel. Check specific campsite descriptions for vehicle requirements to access the site you have selected. Trailers, RVs and passenger vehicles will not be able to access most of these campsites. - Flat tires are common hazards of backcountry travel. Make sure your vehicle is equipped with all-terrain tires. Carry at least one inflated spare tire, a can of tire inflator or a plug kit, a 12-volt air-compressor, a complete jack, and a lug wrench. Know how to use your equipment before you head out. - Most vehicle rental agreements restrict vehicles to paved roads. Be aware that rental companies can charge for damage to the vehicle obtained while operating outside of contractual agreements. - Tow service out of backcountry roads can cost upwards of $1000.
- Planning - Plan your trip thoroughly. Know your routes ahead of time and plan for alternates. Utilize trip planning resources. - Although permitting is available year-round, temperatures frequently range above 100F (38C) May through September. Prepare appropriately. - Natural water sources are unreliable, and travelers should have contingency plans. Purify all water before consuming. - Death Valley National Park is within a dynamic environment where natural events occur and conditions can be unpredictable. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to remain aware of current park conditions. - In addition to your reservation fee, you are required to pay a park entrance fee. See Death Valley National Park’s Fees and Passes page for information on rates and qualifying passes.
- Advise your emergency contact to notify National Park Service emergency dispatch at 760-786-2330 if you are overdue.
- Driving off designated roads is prohibited! No off-road driving permitted. All vehicles must stay on designated roadways (36CFR 4.11(a)). All OHVs are prohibited (Compendium/36CFR 4.2(b)).
- Leave No Trace guidelines should be followed to minimize impacts on the fragile desert environment.
- Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of water, and areas otherwise closed to camping. Human waste must be buried at least 6 inches deep and 200 feet from water. Do not leave behind used toilet paper or exposed human waste. (36CFR 2.10).
- Pack out all trash and leftover food.
- Constructed fire pits are not permitted in the backcountry. Portable fire pits that burn gas are allowed. Fire pans are allowed below 3,000 feet year round and above 3,000 feet between September 16 and June 14. Wood gathering is prohibited. All ashes and burnt wood must be collected and removed if fire pans are used.
- Natural objects and cultural artifacts are protected and must be left where found. (36CFR 2.10)
- Group size is limited to 12 persons and no more than 4 vehicles. Larger groups will need to split up to camp and travel at least ½ mile apart (36CFR 2.10).
- Pets are prohibited greater than 50 feet from roads or developed areas. Pets are prohibited on trails and from entering wilderness areas (36CFR 2.15)
- The trip leader and/or participants can be cited and/or fined for violation of 36 CFR Regulations.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralFIRE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE: Campfires are only permitted with the use of a fire pan or other fireproof barrier that prevents the fire from directly contacting the ground and does not damage the natural surface. NO wood gathering is allowed. All accumulated ashes and burned wood must be collected and packed out.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
