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
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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
Tim M
VerifiedNovember 16, 2024 • Stayed at: E3, Loop: Echo Canyon Road
Simple, basic campsite. No amenities other than the amazing sky show at night! Breathtaking!
Jason R
VerifiedNovember 11, 2024 • Stayed at: M4, Loop: Marble Canyon Road
Site is at the end of the road, about a 1/4 mile from the start of the Marble Canyon trail. Took about an hour to get to it with the road conditions we had. The other Marble Canyon sites have more expansive views but would require driving or a longer walk to get to the canyon.
Mary Katherine C
VerifiedNovember 10, 2024 • Stayed at: E5, Loop: Echo Canyon Road
Easy to find once you're on the road. A little hard to find the entrance to the canyon.
Mark M
VerifiedNovember 9, 2024 • Stayed at: E6, Loop: Echo Canyon Road
Love how easy it was to book and rangers were very helpful when I needed to move a booking last minute
Artemio M
VerifiedNovember 4, 2024 • Stayed at: E8, Loop: Echo Canyon Road
Echo canyon is awesome but it was way better when you didn’t have assigned campsites. Still worth it . Still get to feel secluded.
Alan M
VerifiedNovember 3, 2024 • Stayed at: M4, Loop: Marble Canyon Road
Scheduling these trail side camps is a terrible idea. My backcountry trip through DV was to be a full week. I had to guess which day I would arrive at this site. Being off by a day made this reservation a waste.
I could have reserved multiple days to ensure hitting the right one. But that would deprive others of the site.
In summary: Scheduling trail side camps in this manner hampers their use and makes the backcountry nearly unusable.
rosa k
VerifiedOctober 1, 2024 • Stayed at: C4, Loop: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Total remote camping with some risk (4x4 high clearance vehicle a must and don’t attempt with fake suvs. Drive was exciting (try finding your “spot” in the dark 🤪) and amenities non existent, but totally beautiful once you realize these campsites provide a best stargazing experience ever! Camp spots are up canyons (drive up for quite a bit) so completely void of any light giving campers a very lit sky! Best place to camp for those interested in geology and astronomy 😍. Even when day time was over 100+ degrees evenings are cool (camp sites start at 1100+ feet and up depending on your spaced out campsites and 71 just before sunrise) In fact morning was chilly making me reach for a long sleeves. All this is just behind the stove well ranger station (in case you need help…not totally impossible to get down to store, gas and help). But do not camp here during possible rain….any one that knows any geology will point out the canyon road that we drive up will become a road for water runoff and it is going to be treacherous. Otherwise, surprisingly beautiful experience.
Robert M
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2024 • Stayed at: C7, Loop: Cottonwood Canyon Road
I stayed in C7 @15 miles from Stovepipe Wells. It took me 1.5 hours to travel from the hwy to the campsite. The road is pretty rough in some spots. Make sure you have a high clearance vehicle with a minimum of 8 inches from the lowest spot in your undercarriage. I never saw a soul during the drive out and back and for the two nights I camped at C-7. Kinda spooky for a solo camping trip. C-7 is situated in a bend in the canyon with high walls rising on either side. This is good for shade if it's hot. Sun rose over the canyon walls @10:00 AM, and set over another wall @3:30 PM. C-8,9,&10 are impossible to drive to because the road is completely washed out. I hiked 3 miles to just past C-10 where the trailhead begins and there is a nice grove of Cottonwoods. Good camping area, but next time I plan to pick a site closer to the main road. A number of owls hooted at dawn and dusk. Their hoots echoed through the canyon. Look out for yellow jackets, they swarmed @ my water spigot
Iván T
VerifiedMay 25, 2024 • Stayed at: C6, Loop: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Un poco difícil de encontrar, pero una experiencia muy interesante
Jitka S
VerifiedMay 16, 2024 • Stayed at: E7, Loop: Echo Canyon Road
We booked a site on the Echo Canyon road. Contrary to the information provided by a Ranger, it is not suitable for a 2 wheel drive. We almost got stuck in the middle of the road. Camp site is pure rock, very difficult to walk around. It is very far and secluded with no signal, no amenities, so make sure you are completely self sufficient and well equipped for an evening/ night in the desert!
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
