Emigrant Campground — Death Valley National Park

We planned on staying here in our little Toyota Motorhome but when we arrived, we saw a “Tent Only” sign. The camp looked very clean and there were restrooms available.

no one else was there when we arrived later in the evening though we only camped for one night at the end of summer. no one else ever showed up either. just a few cars drove by every now and then. we were exhausted so we just opened a couple windows to the car rather than set up our tent. toilets were within walking distance/next to the parking lot but closed due to bees. port-a-potties were available instead. at night, the stars were absolutely beautiful. it was pretty hot but by opening the car windows and using some battery powered fans, we managed!

limited sites, each with a picnic table, access to water and flush toilet. very nice spot and the higher elevation provides cooler temperature.

Campsite is at 2000 feet so cooler than bottom and way less crowded. Good biking up side roads.

Am finding out that no free campground is con-free, but this one is great for the fact there are flushing toliets just across the street, there is a water source at the 10 spot campsite, garbage bins that are emptied regularly, and the people who fill up these spots daily seemed to all be courteous of their neighbors and keep lights and sounds down to a minimum at early AND late hours. No firepits, not much for privacy, all spots are very close together w/no trees, but there are tables, the road is very close but seldom traveled, the visitors center you pass just up the road states everyone must pay the entrance fee, but we never did! There is NONE-ZERO cell service here or around for at least 50 miles, for Boost network anyways, and gas was 4.37 for unleaded just up the road, so try to fill up in Beatty, which is a whole dollar cheaper per gal.

The site is well kept. Trash can we’re changed regularly. The restrooms are close and well kept. There is water as well. The view is great. Sites are small but it’s just Buddy (my dog) and I. It is a convenient spot to even just stop for lunch.

This is a free campsite for tents only. However, several people brought in their car campers & just set up a tent. You can leave your tent in one of the 10 spots & travel throughout the park during the day but that is not best practice because then others will not have an opportunity to use a site as they come in for their 1st night. This has working toilets that flush & R kept well. There are multiple trash cans that are changed out.

While the ground is hard & filled with stones which make it hard to get a good stake in the ground, this is a good campsite due to location, it is free, & the amenities are quite nice given this. This is a 10 minute drive from Stove Pipe Wells (just SW of Stove Pipe) & you can get gas as well as general store stuff there.

I would advise you come early & get a spot. Many people arrived just before sunset & after dark but were not able to get a spot because this filled up so quickly. Do not be that guy at 10 PM circling the lot & spotlighting everybody.

Finally, while this has good bathrooms & drinking water available, you need to know that those facilities are located a bit off the side. You’ll have to walk, not far, to the structure to use them just so you know.

Free, convenient, and a great view of the rolling mountains; what more can you ask for? We came in late to Death Valley one night in November, crossing our fingers that we would be able to find somewhere to camp without a reservation. Low and behold, right after entering the park we stumbled upon Emigrant! Just to the left of the main road, this campground is a simple gravel lot with about ten unmarked spots around the perimeter. It was pretty full and we took the last open spot. There is a path leading to a bathroom with flush toilets (!!!), a couple of picnic tables, and some dumpsters for trash disposal. If you're coming into the park along highway 190 from the southwest, this is a prime place to set up for the night.