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Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground, near Death Valley National Park, is a fantastic escape for those seeking solitude and stunning views. This campground is perched at a high elevation, offering a refreshing break from the heat of the valley below, making it a popular choice for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground features designated tent sites nestled among pinyon and juniper trees, providing a cozy atmosphere. Visitors have raved about the epic sunrise views and the breathtaking scenery, with one camper noting, “The sunrise views down into Death Valley were epic.” Keep in mind, though, that the road leading up can be rough, so a vehicle with higher clearance is recommended.

For those planning to hike Telescope Peak, this campground serves as an excellent basecamp. Reviewers have highlighted the convenience of accessing the trail right from the campground, making it easy to get an early start on your adventure. Just remember to pack plenty of water and take your time on the climb.

While amenities are limited—there's no drinking water or electric hookups—campers appreciate the free camping and the chance to connect with nature. As one visitor put it, “This camp spot is nearly perfect. Very remote, epic views, solitude.” If you're looking for a peaceful retreat with stunning vistas, Mahogany Flat is definitely worth considering.

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Location

Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive) directions and information are available at https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/mahogany-flat-primitive-campground.htm.

Coordinates

36.23 N
117.068377 W

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Connectivity

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park needs a permit.


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 22, 2021

Nice Spot

This camp spot is nearly perfect.  Very remote, epic views, solitude. Only thing I was surprised to see were so many other campers at this spot.  Was busy for middle of the week.  Other than that, I had fun camping here.  Definitely going to want a 4x4 driving up to this spot in any poor weather conditions.

SiteMahogany Flats Campground
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Paul D., October 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Paul D., October 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Paul D., October 22, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Mar. 16, 2021

Up, Up, and Away!

I was super lucky to arrive at Mahogany Flat on a weekday and there was only one other party camping there.

I want to say there were a minimum of 10 sites, but maybe more.

If you're planning a hike of Telescope Peak, I'd highly recommend utilizing this campground as a basecamp to get an early start to the hike.

The sunrise views down into Death Valley were epic (even with the wildfire smoke) and the peak hike was a nice mix of challenging and breathtaking terrain.

Bring a bunch of extra water and take it slow on the way up. It's quite the climb, so be gentle on your vehicle!

  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Tucker B., March 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Tucker B., March 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Tucker B., March 16, 2021
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Sep. 17, 2020

Best spot to escape the heat

Great campground, road up was not as bad as people had described. Did see a couple sedans parked up at the top but would recommend a vehicle with higher clearance.

Got to the campground around noon and 80% of the spots were full. But people were leaving after there hike so new spots became available later.

We forgot to check if we could take our dog on the hike but lucky you can go on the service road which was completely empty and still had amazing views.

Would have given the site a 5 but our spot had a lot of bees, thankfully they all disappeared once the sun started going down.

  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Bryan W., September 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Bryan W., September 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Bryan W., September 17, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2017

What a View

Stayed at this campground in 2012. Mind you this was my FIRST real camping trip, I was utterly excited. The trail up to this campground is very rough. there was signs after the kilns for 4x4 only. However, we did see a little car mob up this road, like they had done it before. The road took us to just over 8,000ft elevation. Small campground, but cozy. Drop toilet close by that doesn't get serviced too often because of location. You could see telescope peak and the trail was just off the campground. Campsite had picnic table and a fire ring, thankfully. It was FREEZING when we went. Lets just say I was not prepared for how cold it was going to be. It got down to 12°F and lets just say I had just a "normal" camping sleeping bag. The view down to the valley was gorgeous. We hiked up a little ways.. maybe 3/4 a mile the telescope peak trail, then turned back. We orginally had come up to see something that was happening in the sky that late evening ( 1-2 am-ish), but by 9pm it was too cold to stay up, even with a fire going.

The campground was about 80% full which was surprising since it was pretty solitary out that way.

Free to camp.

First come, First Serve.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Brittany N., June 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Brittany N., June 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Mahogany Flat Primitive Campground — Death Valley National Park by Brittany N., June 20, 2017
  • (16) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Mahogany Flat Campground?

Mahogany Flat Campground is a primitive camping area with minimal amenities. The campground has basic pit toilets but no running water, so campers need to bring all their water supplies. There are approximately 10 or more camping sites available, each with a fire ring. No electricity or hookups are provided. The campground's remote nature means you should come fully prepared with all necessary camping supplies. Despite its primitive status, the spectacular views and remote solitude make it an appealing destination for wilderness enthusiasts.

Is Mahogany Flat Campground first-come, first-served or can I make reservations?

Mahogany Flat Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system in place. The campground can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons and weekends, with sites sometimes reaching 80% capacity by midday. For the best chance at securing a spot, arrive early in the day, particularly if planning a weekday visit. If you're intending to hike Telescope Peak, this timing strategy is especially important as the campground serves as an ideal basecamp for early morning summit attempts.

What is the elevation of Mahogany Flat Campground and how does it affect camping?

Mahogany Flat Campground sits at a high elevation in Death Valley National Park, positioned as a basecamp for Telescope Peak hikes. The high altitude means significantly cooler temperatures than the valley floor - a welcome relief during hot months but potentially quite cold during winter and shoulder seasons. The elevation affects camping by creating dramatic temperature drops at night, so pack warm clothing even for summer visits. The altitude also provides spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making the elevation-related adjustments worthwhile.

How do I access Mahogany Flat Campground and what are the road conditions?

Accessing Mahogany Flat Campground requires navigating a rough mountain road that becomes increasingly challenging after the charcoal kilns. Signs indicate 4x4 vehicles are recommended for the final stretch. While some sedans have made it up in good conditions, a high-clearance vehicle is strongly advised. The road can become particularly difficult during poor weather conditions, making 4-wheel drive essential. Plan your approach carefully and consider road conditions before attempting the drive to this remote campground.