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
About Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
Number of accommodations: 43
Campground Amenities
-
Pet Friendly
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
43 Sites Available
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Site Details
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43 Sites Available
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Reviews (135)
What Guests Are Saying
Campsite E-8 offers solitude and stunning views, making it a great choice for those seeking a quiet desert experience. While the wind can be strong, the spacious sites and well-maintained roads enhance the overall camping experience. Visitors appreciate the privacy and beauty of the area, with many highlighting the opportunity for stargazing and exploring nearby attractions.
What Guests Are Saying
Campsite E-8 offers solitude and stunning views, making it a great choice for those seeking a quiet desert experience. While the wind can be strong, the spacious sites and well-maintained roads enhance the overall camping experience. Visitors appreciate the privacy and beauty of the area, with many highlighting the opportunity for stargazing and exploring nearby attractions.
Review Summary
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
Latitude & Longitude: 36.4617 / -116.867
Elevation: -58 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
It is the responsibility of all trip participants to understand and obey all park rules and regulations. |
| General |
Permit holders are required to carry a digital or printed copy of their permit at all times during their trip. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Vehicle Requirements
|
| General |
Planning
|
| General |
Advise your emergency contact to notify National Park Service emergency dispatch at 760-786-2330 if you are overdue. |
| General |
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)). |
| General |
Leave No Trace guidelines should be followed to minimize impacts on the fragile desert environment. |
| General |
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). |
| General |
Pack out all trash and leftover food. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Natural objects and cultural artifacts are protected and must be left where found. (36CFR 2.10) |
| General |
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). |
| General |
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) |
| General |
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.
