Campground · Death Valley National Park
Central, reservable base camp with hookups at -196 feet
Overview
If you want a convenient home base in the heart of the valley, this is it. Furnace Creek Campground sits about 196 feet below sea level in the park’s main developed area, steps from the visitor center and a short hop to resort amenities. It’s the most popular NPS campground here for a reason: easy access to marquee spots, broad desert views at sunset, and a mix of tent and RV sites—including some with full hookups.
Map
Local know-how
Book months ahead for Oct–Apr; weekends and holidays go first.
Arrive early for any first-come sites and have a backup plan nearby.
Stake tents and secure gear—winds can rip through unexpectedly.
There are no showers at camp; use nearby facilities in Furnace Creek.
Coyotes roam the campground—keep a spotless camp and secure food.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Death Valley Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Death Valley National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Death Valley audio tourRecorded for this place
Furnace Creek Campground: The Park's Central Camp“You're coming up to the Furnace Creek Campground. This is the main National Park Service campground in the valley, and the only one that takes reservations in advance.”
Plays as you drive up to Furnace Creek Campground in the Parkwolf Death Valley Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
You’ll find 136 sites spread across tent, RV, and group areas. Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring or grill. The campground has flush restrooms, potable water, dishwashing sinks near the bathrooms, and a dump station (with water fill). Generators are allowed during limited hours (7 am–7 pm). There’s fair cell service, but no WiFi, and no showers on site; showers, food, a store, and gas are available nearby in the Furnace Creek village area.
Shade is sparse in the open RV loops, while the tent-only section offers a bit more shelter and privacy from scattered trees and shrubs. Expect wind—stake everything well—and know that some sites aren’t perfectly level.
Location, location, location. From camp you can quickly reach Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Artist’s Drive, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Harmony Borax Works. It’s also an easy stroll or quick drive to the visitor center for info and ranger programs.
Coyotes regularly patrol the campground looking for an easy meal. You may also notice desert regulars like ravens, roadrunners, and lizards—especially at dawn and dusk when temperatures are lower. Keep a clean camp and never feed wildlife.
Wildlife
71 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
101 sightingsDesert TortoiseMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
458 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
28 sightingsFeral BurroMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
30 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
62 sightingsKit FoxMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Death Valley. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyMustard Canyon Loop1.3 mi · 30 min · 1.2 mi awayOne-way drive through mustard-colored badlands from Harmony Borax Works to CA-190
EasyHarmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail0.4 mi · 30 min · 1.2 mi awayA short paved loop through the ruins and stories of Death Valley’s Harmony Borax Works.
ModerateGolden Canyon to Red Cathedral3 mi · 1.8 hr · 3.2 mi awayA 3-mile Golden Canyon out-and-back to the red walls of Red Cathedral.
ModerateGolden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop4.3 mi · 2.5 hr · 3.2 mi awayModerate badlands loop linking Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch
ChallengingZabriskie Point to Golden Canyon7.8 mi · 4.5 hr · 4.4 mi awayStrenuous 7.8-mile loop from Zabriskie Point through Gower Gulch and Golden Canyon
ModerateBadlands Loop (Zabriskie Point)2.7 mi · 1.8 hr · 4.4 mi awayA 2.7-mile moderate loop through colorful badlands below Zabriskie Point.
EasyZabriskie Point Overlook Trail0.3 mi · 8 min · 4.4 mi awayA short paved out-and-back from the Zabriskie Point parking area to Death Valley's iconic badlands overlook.
ModerateDesolation Canyon Trail3.6 mi · 2.5 hr · 5 mi awayColor-drenched badlands and a quiet canyon with easy scrambles
Sight · 0.2 mi awayFurnace Creek Visitor Center SignQuick photo stop with the famous giant thermometer out front
Visitor center · 0.2 mi awayDeath Valley National Park Visitor CenterHub for rangers, exhibits, AC, and the giant thermometer
Store · 0.2 mi awayDeath Valley Natural History Association Park StoreOfficial shop for DEVA books and souvenirs that fund the park
Sight · 0.2 mi awayFurnace Creek ThermometerClassic photo-op thermometer for extreme heat bragging rights
Sight · 0.2 mi awayThe Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death ValleyAn oasis round at the world’s lowest-elevation golf course
Store · 0.3 mi awayFarrabee's Jeep RentalsJeep rentals and tours to reach the park’s remote backroads
Gas station · 0.3 mi awayFurnace Creek Fuel and Auto ServiceThe park’s central lifeline for fuel, at a steep premium
Campground · 0.5 mi awaySunset CampgroundMassive, no-frills basecamp near Furnace Creek with big skiesParkwolf’s Death Valley ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
