Best Places To Sleep In Death Valley

Death Valley, located on the border of Nevada and California, offers a range of accommodation options for visitors, from camping to luxury hotels. When deciding where to stay, it's important to consider the driving distances between sightseeing spots and lodging, especially since the park covers 3.4 million acres. If you're only staying for a day, you'll want to make the most of your time and choose a convenient location. Here are some options to consider:

- The Inn at Death Valley: A historic, elegant resort with AAA Four Diamond status, offering secluded and luxurious accommodations.

- The Ranch at Death Valley: A more affordable option with a casual, family-oriented setting, located next to restaurants, shopping, and a gas station.

- Stovepipe Wells Village: Offers resort accommodations, limited RV camping, a restaurant, and a gas station.

- Panamint Springs Resort: Located in a remote area, offering resort accommodations, camping, a restaurant, and a gas station.

- Camping: There are several campgrounds within Death Valley, ranging from primitive to full-hookup sites. Furnace Creek Campground, Fiddlers' Campground, and Mesquite Springs Campground are popular choices.

You can also opt to stay outside the park in nearby towns like Beatty, Pahrump, or Lone Pine, which offer more affordable options but will add to your driving time.

Camping Inside Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park offers a range of camping options, from primitive to full-hook-up. There are nine different campgrounds to choose from, with varying levels of amenities and comfort. Here is a detailed overview of the camping options inside Death Valley National Park:

Furnace Creek Campground

This is the most popular campground in Death Valley National Park. It offers drinking water, picnic tables, flush toilets, and a dump station. Each site has either a campfire ring or grill. The campground has a mix of full-hook-up sites, back-in sites, and tent-only sites. Reservations are highly recommended during the reservation window (October 15 to April 15). It is open all year, with standard rates at $22 per night.

Sunset Campground

Located within Furnace Creek, this dry area offers little to no vegetation and no tables or electrical outlets. It is typically open in the late fall through early spring and can be reserved for as little as $14 per night.

Texas Springs Campground

Texas Springs is a first-come, first-served campground located at Furnace Creek. It offers some amenities such as tables and fire pits. It is typically open in the fall and spring, with rates starting at $16 per night.

Stovepipe Wells Campground

Located about 30 minutes from Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells is open through late fall and early spring. It does not take reservations, but spots can be booked for $14 per night. The area offers resort accommodations, limited recreational vehicle camping with full hookups, a restaurant, and a gas station.

Mesquite Spring Campground

Sitting at an elevation of 1,800 feet, Mesquite Spring is open all year round on a first-come, first-served basis. It offers amenities such as running water, flushing toilets, tables, and fire pits. It can be visited year-round for $14 per night.

Emigrant Campground

Emigrant is a small, year-round campground that offers tent-camping only and does not accept reservations. It is located in a beautiful area with no amenities, and best of all, it's free!

Wildrose Campground

Wildrose is another free campsite that provides a true camping experience. It has running water but does not have flushing toilets. It is located in the Panamint Mountains, offering a more secluded experience.

Thorndike Campground

Thorndike is the smallest campsite in Death Valley National Park, with only six sites. It is located at an elevation of 7,400 feet and is open from late spring through fall. Like Wildrose and Emigrant, Thorndike is also free.

Mahogany Flat Campground

Mahogany Flat is the most challenging campground in Death Valley, standing at an elevation of 8,200 feet. It has no running water or flushing toilets, but it offers stunning views of the valley. This campground is for experienced campers only and is open all year.

Sleeping in your car at Father Crowley Overlook

Location and Directions:

Father Crowley Overlook, also known as Father Crowley Vista Point, is located in the western section of Death Valley National Park, along Highway 190. To get there, you'll need to turn east onto Highway 190 at Olancha, California, and continue for about 37 miles. You'll find a pull-out on the left side of the road that leads to the parking lot. The overlook sits at an elevation of around 4,200 to 4,500 feet above sea level, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Amenities and Facilities:

The overlook has a parking area, and from there, it's a short walk (about a quarter of a mile) to Padre Point. There are vault toilets available in the parking area, and the site is generally open year-round. It's important to note that there are no camping facilities at the overlook itself, but there are campgrounds located elsewhere in Death Valley National Park.

Weather Conditions:

The best time to visit Father Crowley Overlook is between October and May, as summer temperatures can be extremely hot. Even in spring, it's a good idea to check the weather forecast, as temperatures can still soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in April. Winter temperatures can be cold, and it may be windy, so come prepared with warm clothing if you plan to sleep in your car.

Nearby Attractions:

Father Crowley Overlook offers breathtaking views of Rainbow Canyon, also known as Star Wars Canyon, due to its resemblance to the fictional planet Tatooine from the Star Wars films. The canyon features colourful streaks formed by ancient volcanic activity, giving it its name. The area was previously used by the military for jet training flights, but these have been suspended since a fatal crash in 2019. The overlook also provides informative signage about the geology of the area and the nearby air force base.

In summary, sleeping in your car at Father Crowley Overlook can be a viable option if you're looking for a budget-friendly and convenient place to rest during your visit to Death Valley National Park. Just be sure to come prepared for the weather conditions and take advantage of the nearby attractions and stunning views.

Hotels in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, located on the border of California and Nevada, offers a range of accommodation options for visitors, from camping to luxury hotels. Here is a list of some of the top hotels within the park:

The Inn at Death Valley

The Inn at Death Valley is a historic, elegant resort that has been in operation for over 90 years. It holds a AAA Four Diamond rating and offers guests a secluded, luxurious experience. The inn has 66 hotel rooms and 22 casitas, with unparalleled privacy and luxury. It is located within walking distance of the inn's pool and offers guests a quiet, relaxed setting. The inn has recently been revitalised, with new rooms, a dining room, lobby, pool and wellness area.

The Ranch at Death Valley

The Ranch is the sister property of The Inn, offering a more family-oriented and casual experience. With 275 rooms, The Ranch has a lively, friendly atmosphere and has been welcoming guests since 1933. It offers comfortable, clean rooms with triple-sheeting, a swimming pool, sports courts, a playground and large grass lawns. It is located near the National Park Service Visitor Centre and an 18-hole golf course.

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is a 3-star resort that has been providing accommodation in the centre of Death Valley National Park since 1926. It offers a unique, rustic aesthetic with an Old Western theme. The rooms are clean and spacious, and guests can enjoy the outdoor fire pit and easy access to attractions.

Panamint Springs Resort

Panamint Springs Resort is located on the tip of Death Valley National Park and offers a western-style experience with resort accommodations, camping and RV services. The resort has a restaurant and a gas station, and is around a 30-minute drive from Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

The Amargosa Hotel

The Amargosa Hotel is a small, quirky hotel with only 16 rooms, located in a secluded part of Death Valley Junction. It is around a 35-minute drive from the Furnace Creek centre of Death Valley.

Lodging outside the park

If you're looking for accommodation outside Death Valley National Park, there are a few towns with options to choose from.

Beatty, Nevada, is a small town located about 30 miles outside the park, or a 45-minute drive from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. It offers several Airbnbs, such as the Wild West Airbnb, which is clean and cosy, and the Designed to Death Airbnb, a stylish, modern option for larger groups. Beatty also has more affordable, basic hotels, such as the Atomic Inn, the Exchange Club Motel, and the Stagecoach Hotel and Casino.

Pahrump, Nevada, is a little further out, about a 1.5-hour drive from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Here, you'll find more affordable, reliable chain hotels, such as the Holiday Inn Express and Best Western Pahrump Oasis.

If you're looking for something even more remote, you can try Panamint Springs, a small community with a gas station, a restaurant, and a few rooms.

For those seeking a balance between proximity to the park and the comforts of a larger town, Las Vegas is about a 2.5-hour drive from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and offers a wide range of accommodation options.

Camping outside the park

If you're looking for a camping experience outside of Death Valley National Park, there are several options available, depending on your preferences and the time of year you're visiting. Here are some detailed suggestions for camping outside the park:

Beatty, Nevada:

Beatty is a small town located about 30 miles outside of Death Valley National Park. It offers a good option for those travelling from Las Vegas, as it's only 120 miles away. While the town itself doesn't have much to offer, it has some adorable Airbnbs, such as the "Wild West Airbnb", which is perfect for larger groups and offers a unique experience. You can also find more affordable options like the "Atomic Inn" or the "Exchange Club Motel".

Pahrump, Nevada:

Pahrump is a little further out, but it offers more affordable accommodations with the reliability of chain hotels like Holiday Inn Express and Best Western. These hotels provide simple, clean rooms and a good night's sleep before embarking on your Death Valley adventure.

Lone Pine, California:

Lone Pine is about an hour and 45 minutes from Death Valley and offers lodging, food, and fuel options. It is a convenient choice if you're looking for a longer stay outside the park.

Ridgecrest, California:

Ridgecrest is a good option if you don't mind a longer drive, as it's about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Furnace Creek. It provides a variety of lodging choices and other amenities to cater to your needs.

Bishop, California:

Bishop is one of the furthest options, at about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Furnace Creek. However, it may be a good choice if you're looking for a wider range of accommodations and services before or after your time in Death Valley.

Camping near Death Valley:

If you're committed to camping, there are some fantastic spots just outside Death Valley National Park. One option is the "Death Valley Stargazing Camp", located in Panamint Valley, which offers panoramic views of sunsets, sunrises, and dark skies for stargazing. Another choice is the "AREA-95 | Desert Nebula" campground, situated between Las Vegas and Death Valley, which provides easy drive-up access and stunning night skies.

Remember to consider the time of year when planning your trip, as some campgrounds may be closed during the summer months due to extreme heat. Always check for up-to-date information on campground availability and reservations before finalizing your plans.

Frequently asked questions