Sunset Campground — Death Valley National Park

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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)