Sunset Campground — Death Valley National Park

Reviewed Jan. 19, 2026

Parking lot style but excellent

Decent sized sites. Clean bathrooms. Across the road from furnace creek visitors center. Very helpful camp hosts. There are a few fire pits but not in campsites. Great location for trail hiking.

SiteF16

Month of VisitJanuary

Chris M.

Reviewed Mar. 19, 2025

Great for stopover

Plenty of room, first come first serve. Self pay kiosk accepts credit cards. No hook-ups , but flush toilets and water cleanup counter. The ranch at Death Valley across the street if you care to go for dinner. Also ice cream and gift shop and small grocery section. Visit the museum on the property also.”

SiteG1

Month of VisitMarch

Trent B.

Reviewed Mar. 1, 2024

Convenient and cheap

Not the nicest campground but not bad for $14. Some people were using tents but the ground is just rocks so wouldn't recommend it. It had 4 toilet blocks and water/ washing up station. It was quite empty when we stayed but suited are very close if full.

Sitej7

Month of VisitFebruary

Zak

Reviewed Mar. 25, 2023

It’s perfect for a dirt lot

Nothing to really right home about. But the rest of the park is what makes this. The generator free lot is filled with a bunch of fun people. The spots are just barely off level.

Sitegenerator free spots

Month of VisitMarch

(5) View All

David S.

Reviewed Dec. 25, 2022

Functional and Cheap

Great to pull up late at night and park for the night. Toilets were clean. Generators didn't annoy us but I can imagine if it was busy it would be annoying. Well located in furnace creek. Would recommend heading up to Texas Springs if given the option - only slightly more expensive, much nicer setting and no generators allowed.

Month of VisitDecember

N V.

Reviewed Feb. 6, 2022

Basic RV-friendly campground

Sunset campground is one of three campgrounds in the Furnace Creek area. Furnace Creek campground has full hookups for RVs, can be reserved and is often full. Texas Springs campground is more tent friendly, can handle smaller RVs but does not have hookups, and is first come first served. Sunset campground is a large flat gravel lot, no hookups and no reservations. The advantage is that it's really big, with a lot of overflow capacity and so if you can't find a spot at the other two, there's likely an available spot here. It'll be close to other RVs and the campground itself isn't pretty, but it is surrounded by beautiful hills.

We were here in late January, and the lot was probably a quarter full, so our views weren't blocked and we were able to find a spot immediately. Next time I would try Texas Springs first and if that's full (it was most nights while we were there) I'd go to Sunset. You drive in, select your spot and pay at one of the pay station.

The location is central -- it's just across the street from the Ranch at Death Valley (which has a fancy general store and some restaurants, including an ice cream shop). Gas at the filling station was $1.50 a gallon more than at Stovepipe Wells. The campground is walking distance to the Death Valley visitor center. It's pretty central to most of the sights in the area.

Month of VisitJanuary

Herbster

Reviewed Jan. 19, 2022

It'll do in pinch

The generators have the lower lot and convience of the restrooms. Upper lot on a slant, non generator. Both are all gravel, no tables.

Site12

Month of VisitJanuary

Mark W.

Reviewed Nov. 20, 2021

Rock hard ground

This campground never fills up, but is more oriented to RV type camping. While there are no hook ups, the ground is ROCK hard and impossible to get a tent stake into. If there is a wind, the tent is gone.

The sites are close to each other, but the plus side, as I said, you can ALWAYS get a site.

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Sadie B.

Reviewed Apr. 20, 2021

Good, but too close

Nice campgrounds but the tent spots are really close together. I could hear every conversation around us. Not a great view, but it’s right next to a convenient store and close to the sand dunes.

Month of VisitOctober

Randy M.

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 28, 2021

Windy/hot kind of cool

WINDY

Emma A.

Ranger

Reviewed Mar. 27, 2021

Overflow gravel lot next to Furnace Creek

We stayed here on a Friday in late March only because Furnace Creek and Texas Springs were both full by 5 PM. It is just a big gravel lot with sites defined by paint stripes on the ground. Lots of big RVs, trailers, trucks, but also many small tents sandwiched in between. There was another loop in this lot for no-generator only but it was not open. They really should have opened it and allow the tents to at least to stay so they do not have to be stuck in between big rigs. The lot did not fill on a Friday night and it is still a beautiful spot to watch the sunset and the mountains all around. Bathrooms were reasonably clean with flush toilets, no showers. Cell reception on AT&T down to 3G. We would stay here again only if no other options are available. Texas Springs is much nicer just up the hill. A lot more natural setting and they have a separate tent only loop.

(5) View All

Brittney C.

Reviewed Nov. 26, 2020

BEST THINGS DEATH VALLEY HAS FOR CAMPING

This place has it all, great views, stunning sunsets, grills, fire rings, hook ups, tables, clean bathrooms. Even in November, it was hot so bring a lot of water!! Group sites with tables and a shared fire pits! Dump stations all over this place. Make sure you get gas before you get to the park the gas is very expensive!!!! There is a private air port as well. Lots of cool day use areas to pull off as well.

Here are my star ratings based on my lifestyle and what I like. I'm also a mother, dog mama, and a wife so it's not just me it's my crew and i. 1 star- AUTOMATIC relocate... the property is no longer there, trashed or/and I could never have my children there and I wouldn't ever think about staying no matter what. 2 star- Not really my jam, and would NEVER go to again... It probably more of desert life and not really my style for sure...Being from Vegas I can't stand being in the desert and I love the Trees and the Green more than anything. 3 star- Would stay there again in a pinch, but not really my style, the reason its not is because not enough family things to do, the scenery, or the location... but I would go again and feel safe having my kiddos here but only if I needed to in a pinch. 4 star- a really good rating for sure, maybe needed some improvements, minor things like being on top of each other, not a lot of privacy, but honestly little cosmetic things that aren't anything to sweat and would be back again for sure. 5 star- MY FAVORITE... love the location, safety, the surroundings, big camp spots available to fit toys for my kids to play, hammocks to hang, our big family tent, cases of firewood, our suburban or RV, etcccccc..... I would not only come back but would live if I could!!! Anyway thanks for reading and enjoy every moment like it's your last! CHEERS!

Month of VisitNovember

(18) View All

Brittney C.

Reviewed Nov. 26, 2020

Stunning sunsets

Literally painted lanes on a gravel area. Nothing special except the killer sunsets! You are at the mercy of the hot sun so please be prepared and over pack water, sunblock and anything to keep you shaded! It’s as can be even in November.

(6) View All

Brittney C.

Reviewed Nov. 26, 2020

Not really my jam

It’s literally lines painted on the ground and that’s your spots, the camping ones were even more cramped… nothing happening here but an affordable place with neighbors on top of you… if it’s busy, which it will always be… it could have potential to be a Neat place if you have a group of people but still that’s a long stretch.

Here are my star ratings based on my lifestyle and what I like. I'm also a mother, dog mama, and a wife so it's not just me it's my crew and i. 1 star- AUTOMATIC relocate... the property is no longer there, trashed or/and I could never have my children there and I wouldn't ever think about staying no matter what OR its not something us campers are on this is more of an airbnb. 2 star- Not really my jam, and would NEVER go to again... It probably more of desert life and not really my style for sure...Being from Vegas I can't stand being in the desert and I love the Trees and the Green more than anything. 3 star- Would stay there again in a pinch, but not really my style, the reason its not is because not enough family things to do, the scenery, or the location... but I would go again and feel safe having my kiddos here but only if I needed to in a pinch. 4 star- a really good rating for sure, maybe needed some improvements, minor things like being on top of each other, not a lot of privacy, but honestly little cosmetic things that aren't anything to sweat and would be back again for sure. 5 star- MY FAVORITE... love the location, safety, the surroundings, big camp spots available to fit toys for my kids to play, hammocks to hang, our big family tent, cases of firewood, our suburban or RV, etcccccc..... I would not only come back but would live if I could!!! Anyway thanks for reading and enjoy every moment like it's your last! CHEERS!

(16) View All

Issa F.

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2020

March Camping

Chilly at night— 30s— but enjoyable. Probably the best time of year to go because less people. The weather got to be high 70s and low 80s during the day too. The sand dunes are out of this world and so are the salt flats. The drive through is spectacular. Not enough good things to say.

(5) View All

Laura K.

Reviewed Mar. 16, 2020

Easy camping, parking lot feel, great location

Came here for four days without reservations for Furnace Creek. This campground is a no frills flat parking lot with bathrooms and dish washing stations, trash dumpsters, and a decent dump and water filling station. If you are self contained or even in a tent, it is doable. However, no trees, lots of neighbors with generators. I give it three stars for: with the Senior Access Pass, $7. The dump station/water filling was clean and easy, and the location cannot be beat (except by the Furnace Creek CG which I would always prefer to stay in, if we make reservations way in advance). Texas Springs up the road is a good more traditional camping facility, no reservations, but smaller rigs and tents are the norm there. You could fit our 35 foot fifth wheel up there in some of the sites if you are lucky. Cell service, as in most National Parks is iffy at best, for a fee you can get Wifi across the road at the Ranch/Oasis. There is golfing and restaurants and a small grocery store. Location of this campground is right across from the Furnace Creek Visitors Center. Easy walking, biking and hanging out.

SiteM10

Month of VisitMarch

Jennifer G.

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 20, 2020

A parking lot but a guaranteed spot

The reviews are correct- this place is a parking lot. Spots are right next to each other and outlined like an actual parking lot. Room for a car and maybe two tents. Or one tent and a table. However, nice bathrooms. Water. Communal fire pits. Not a single bush or tree among the spots. Walkable to the Ranch and the Visitors center across the street. Texas is a nicer campground with some greenery and easy access to hills to wander around in. Those spots are still very close together. But in spite of all of this I wasn’t unhappy at Sunset. We were only in camp for breakfast and then again at evening. The point was so see the park- not chill at the campground. If you were going to spend more of the day at the campground Texas looks better. But so comforting to arrive without a reservation and know that Sunset is waiting for you.

Colin T.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 30, 2017

Over flow for furnace Creek

Only thing saving this place from being 1 start were the nice bathrooms and wash stations.

I appreciate it being a first come but it's one of the most minimalist campgrounds I've ever stayed at. No fire rings, no picnic tables and nothing in between your neighbors.

Month of VisitNovember

SwitchbackKids

Reviewed Jul. 6, 2017

Worst campground in one of the most beautiful national parks!

Our four-day visit to Death Valley National Park happened to line up with their rare Superbloom, so we had to beat the crowds to get a campsite. Unfortunately, this landed us in Sunset Campground, one of the NPS’s worst campgrounds, in one of the most beautiful parks.

Sunset Campground -- much more of a parking lot than a campground -- is everything we don’t want in a campground: sites are cramped, scenery is nonexistent, and there was nothing to stop the insane wind from destroying our tent that had lasted us every day of our six-month trip thus far.

We don’t blame Death Valley - we loved this park! Home to the lowest, driest, hottest place in the country, Death Valley is surprisingly full of life and gorgeous scenery. We loved hiking, chasing the wildflowers, watching the sunsets each night, following the scenic drives, and lounging on the porch of the fancy Furnace Creek Inn.

For two nights, we suffered through Sunset Campground, but for our third and fourth night, we purchased a backcountry permit, which allowed us to park and camp along the park’s dirt roads, at least one mile from any paved roads. These were the nights we’ll remember fondly throughout our time in Death Valley. Take our advice and skip right over Sunset Campground.

You can read much more about our four days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Death Valley)

Month of VisitFebruary

(8) View All

Chad F.

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2017

Great National Park

Camped here for a few days and it's such a unique place. Very hot during the summer, can get very windy at night and cold. Come prepared with lots of water and 3 season clothing/sun block and lip balm. The wind will scorch!

Month of VisitJune

Maria P.

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2016

Sterile

Hot hot hot. There's a reason you don't go in the off season... Ridiculously hot! But sites, bathrooms & sinks are super clean...sterile clean. Downside; sites are close & there really isn't any privacy, but then again you're in the desert, not some coniferous forest

Elynn K.

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2016

Central and Simple

As the others said, this is a really simple campground that almost looks like a large parking lot. That said, being right next to Furnace Creek you can take advantage of the store to buy some snacks. Another great thing is that it is really close to Zabriskie's Point, so you can hop over there for Sunrise very easily. In general it was exactly what my sister and I were looking for.

Stephanie T.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2016

Such a disappointment after Furnace Creek

We had only reserved two days at Furnace Creek and wanted to stay in the area another day. Since Furnace Creek was full (and it was too late for no-show campsites) we decided to stay at Sunset, which is right across the road.

There is no shade, just sand and pavement. The winds kicked up a sandstorm and with no cover it was intense.

We were there in March, so it could have been a lot worse. Strongly do not recommend this campsite, especially if you go when it is warmer.

Kayko S.