Best Campgrounds near Darwin, CA

Because we had site 112, and it was March not July, and we could launch our canoe without any muss or fuss, and there were only a few other campers, I give this park 4 stars.  If we were here in July, well...we wouldn't stay here in July...period.  I can only imagine the crowds here after May 1.  This is a small lake and they limit the number of motorboats to 25, which is about 20 too many in my estimation.  Also, there is mandatory vessel inspection for mussels, and a $10 a day launch fee after May 1.  

So, timing is everything.  We had the lake to ourselves and we could launch our canoe directly from campsite #112.  The water is muddy, and much of the bank is not accessible from the water due to reeds, but the scenery looking at Mt Lone Pine, and Mt Whitney across the Alabama Hills is beautiful!

There was no check-in in March.  Reservations are online, and they will have your name on the post at the site when you arrive.  However, after May 1, you must have any vessel you are bringing with you inspected prior to entering the campground.

Each site will have a picnic table and fire ring and there are several water spigots throughout the campground where you can top off your tank.  However, most of the spigots do not have a nipple to screw on a water hose.  There are a couple that do.  There are also vault toilets and trash dumpsters throughout the campground.

The main downside to this campground regarding amenities is the lack of a dump site.  However, Boulder Creek RV Park just south on 395 will let you use their dump site for $25.   

The staff are very approachable and friendly and a couple of the maintenance guys even left us some cut firewood as they were thinning out the salt cedar trees.

The only demerits I give this campground in the offseason is the loud hwy noise from 395, which is inherent, and the small bits of trash that have become components of the sand.  Trash like broken glass, bottle caps, crushed aluminum cans, cigarette butts, dental floss applicators, etc.  Small stuff everywhere.  We spent an afternoon sifting through the sand, picking up trash around our campground, but it was really too big of a job for just 2 people.  Inyo County should organize a community clean up day where an army of volunteers with rakes can really go through the sand to pick up all of the debris.

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.”

Big gravel lot with spaces, not much space between as I could hear the neighbor snoring all night. No generators allowed. Got there about 2 and there were just a few spots left, by 4 pm it was completely full. Beautiful views though

Sites H6 H5 and H3 are best. You can reserve through recreation dot gov. Roads are cleaned up from the 2022 storm but not like before. Terrain is not recognizable from older satellite images. Beautiful night sky.

After another day spent exploring the park, we were looking for a great spot to set us up for two last stops before leaving the park the following morning. We were going into Sunset but the ranger directed us to Texas Springs-no generators and less expensive for the win. We had a great view of the stars and Milky Way-getting great photos while enjoying the warm evening.

After spending the day exploring we found this gem of a spot. Even had fresh water available to fill up our tanks.

There wasn’t much to this camp site…it was basically a gravel parking lot. Tent only spaces along the rear of the campground. The best part about it is that it’s cheap…only $9 with an Access Pass and in early December it was almost empty. Stayed one night and walked to the gift shop store for snacks and stickers.

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.

This campground was quiet and clean and centrally located in the park. No hookups, but there is a dump station with potable water available near the entrance.

The spaces are REALLY close together but when we were there the park was mostly empty…maybe a dozen other campers in the whole park. Tent camping only on the lower loop…upper loop had MANY large, pull through spaces. Our camper is small, so the space felt big though. Picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Self serve pay stations, discount for Access Pass holders, I will definitely stay here again if I come through Death Valley again.

$35 per night with full hookups makes this place great for a night or two between longer boondocking stays. The overnighter spots are separate from the permanent resident area, the spaces are level and very clean. Staff in the office is super friendly and helpful. The office for the park is located at the RV parts building. There is also a dump station with potable water just outside the overnighter area with a self-pay station for just $10. Fantastic deal. 10/10 would recommend and will stay here again.

Pulled in late, well after dark and after a long and somewhat harrowing drive in from the north. Read on the NPS website that of the three area campgrounds (all within a mile and very easy access), Furnace Creek is most popular (so we cruised past it), Texas Springs most scenic with mountain views (true), and Sunset rarely fills (because it’s a big gravel parking lot).

Our stay was mid-week in October, so even rolling in after 9pm, there were only a few sites occupied. It’s a little tricky to find the loops, as the only signage is “slow,” with no numbered directionals, but so wide open it quickly makes sense. We found a spot right in the middle of the lower loop, no one around us, easy bathroom access. Electronic self pay station back at the entrance was a breeze. Realized after the fact there was also a kiosk by the lower bathroom, so we wouldn’t have had to go to the entrance.

No power or water (expected), but the bathrooms were clean and I liked the dishwashing sink setup - outdoors with three taps and one big trough basin, several stations throughout the campground.

Arrived after dark, so waking up to a desert mountain sunrise was a treat. StarLink worked perfectly under unobstructed sky for morning virtual meeting. Bonus points to NPS for their sense of humor in decorating the phone booth - and for having a phone booth. Dumpster, recycling, and propane drop all on the way out, super convenient.

Only downside? It’s SO quiet that with low occupancy and desert acoustics, you can hear a tent zipper from 50 yards away. I imagine in busier season you might be all up in each other’s stuff.

Hello TheDyrt Community,

The Alabama Hills on Movie Road, located in California, is a stunning desert landscape famous for its unique rock formations and breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This area has been a favorite filming location for many classic western movies and TV shows. If you’re visiting, you can explore scenic hiking trails, take photos of the iconic Mobius Arch, and enjoy the natural beauty of this hidden gem. To fully appreciate the cinematic history of the area, I recommend using and access magis tv free account to stream some of the classic films shot here. It’s a great way to connect your visit with the Hollywood legacy of Alabama Hills.

Best of Luck!!

We stayed recently when it was 116 during the day, but since the sites had electric, we gave it a shot.  The first two sites we tried had bad electrical setups. The breakers wouldn't lock in place, and kept flipping back to the tripped/open state.  No problem, since we were the only people there - we just notified management and moved sites.  They have water/sewer too, but you'll want to filter the water because of the taste.  The pool across the street was actually cold at night, even though the air temp was 90, so that was great.  

The "saloon" was being renovated and had a limited menu... I'll just say that we wished we had just grabbed some pre-packaged sandwiches from the general store instead.

Not a bad stop for staying in the park, with easy access to supplies, if neeeded.

It's a huge campground, a whole section was closed off when we were there. It's worth driving around to find the best vacant spot, as there are a few trees giving much needed shade. There are flush toilets, and running water. It's nice and close to the visitor centre, and to zabriskie point. It was quiet enough in Sept on a weekday, but I wouldn't fancy going there when it's busy.

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!

This is just an extraordinary place, Death Valley. Takes you out of yourself and your sense of human history completely. 

The motels and campsites were always subpar. They act, to this day, like only hardened stoic geologists would want to visit.  This campsite is actually better than the so called “motels’ available. It’s not a great place, but BRING ALL your creature comforts and you’ll be thrilled to be in the middle of the all the hiking and road trip thrills. 

I am writing this in fall of 2024. That means you should book Xmas 2025. Or else, really stay somewhere else entirely and expect a drive. 

And yes, when you have the winter blues in January, this is just an incredible visit.