Is Emigrant Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Emigrant Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Emigrant Campground before I book?

Yes! Emigrant Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Emigrant Campground?

Emigrant Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Emigrant Campground have?

Emigrant Campground has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Emigrant Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Emigrant Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Emigrant Campground?

Emigrant Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Emigrant Campground

3.63

107 reviews

PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328, USA

Top 10% in CASpring

Stargazing

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,100 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,100 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Emigrant Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

760-786-3200deva_information@nps.gov

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Campground Map

PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328, USA

Emigrant Campground

PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328, USA

Nearby places

Stovepipe Wells (10 miles, approximately 10 minutes), Furnace Creek Visitor Center (40 minutes).

Weather at Emigrant Campground

Best Time to Camp at Emigrant Campground

Best season: spring. Spring offers the most comfortable desert weather for hiking and exploring the Cottonwood Mountains, with daytime highs typically in the 70s–80s°F and nights cooling to the mid-40s–50s°F. Wildflower displays (when winter rains have occurred), vivid rock colors, and excellent visibility make photography and geology-focused walks especially rewarding. Crowds rise on weekends and holiday periods but weekday visits feel remote; bring layers for cool mornings and plenty of water for daytime hikes. Peak months: March, April, May Avoid: June, July, August

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 10% in CA

Spring temps 70s–80s, cool nights and peak visibility—ideal for photography and camping.

Planning Tips

About Emigrant Campground

Emigrant Campground sits in the Cottonwood Mountains foothills near Death Valley, operated by the National Park Service as a no-fee primitive site with flush toilets and potable water. The very small campground serves as a base for exploring Death Valley's geology and desert landscapes, offering dark skies and mountain access. Rocky ground and road noise are trade-offs for the free stay and basic amenities.

Emigrant Campground is a primitive, first-come, first-served, tent-only campground with no additional fee. It is ideal for visitors seeking a simple and remote camping experience with minimal facilities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the most comfortable desert weather for hiking and exploring the Cottonwood Mountains, with daytime highs typically in the 70s–80s°F and nights cooling to the mid-40s–50s°F. Wildflower displays (when winter rains have occurred), vivid rock colors, and excellent visibility make photography and geology-focused walks especially rewarding. Crowds rise on weekends and holiday periods but weekday visits feel remote; bring layers for cool mornings and plenty of water for daytime hikes. Peak months: March, April, May Avoid: June, July, August

Elevation2100 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe Cottonwood Mountains rise directly from the campground, displaying layers of limestone and volcanic rock shaped by millions of years of geological activity. The desert floor spreads wide with minimal vegetation, creating unobstructed views in all directions. Exposed rock formations shift color throughout the day as sunlight hits different angles. After dark, the remote location and lack of light pollution reveal the Milky Way with exceptional clarity. The terrain is rocky and open, typical of the Mojave Desert at this elevation.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations or other lodging are available within the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned for this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

30 days

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 people per campsite.

Groups

No designated group camping sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

AccessibilityThe campground’s gravel surface is described as rough and rocky, and the flush toilet building is accessible via a dirt path with two steps at the entrance.

Site SizeSites are small, tent-only, and suitable for single tents or small setups.

PrivacySites offer minimal privacy as the campground is small and open, typical of desert environments.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesArrive early to secure a site as the campground fills quickly. Use longer tent stakes for better stability due to the hard, rocky ground. Consider sites closer to restrooms for convenience.

Amenities available

Emigrant Campground offers a basic camping experience, primarily suited to tent campers due to its first-come, first-served policy. The campground has 10 tent-only sites located at an elevation of 2100 feet and adjacent to CA 190. It provides a building with flush toilets located about 270 feet away down a dirt trail. Potable water is available on-site, but showers, camp stores, and other common amenities like internet connectivity or firewood are not provided. Fires and charcoal grills are prohibited, but gas stoves are permitted. An additional convenience is the year-round trash and recycling collection.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Emigrant Campground are limited due to its minimalistic design. The main draw is the stunning desert landscape and the exceptional night sky views for stargazing.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.6

107 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Emigrant Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is praised for its affordability (free), excellent location for stargazing, and clean flush toilets. However, users highlight the hard, rocky ground, lack of shade, and proximity to the highway as drawbacks.

Review Summaries

Based on 107 reviews

What Campers Love

"Free! With picnic tables and flush toilets!" "The most beautiful night sky ever!" "Great base for exploring Death Valley." Many reviewers appreciate the desert solitude and the convenience of flush...

Based on 107 reviews

Common Concerns

Noise from the highway, hard and rocky ground making tent setup challenging, no fire pits, and high winds were common issues mentioned by users.

Based on 107 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites are first-come, first-served and fill up quickly, especially during peak times like mornings and early evenings. Some reviewers recommend avoiding the spots closest to the highway due to noise.

Based on 107 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure a site. Bring extra-long tent stakes due to the rocky ground. Avoid arriving late at night as the campground fills up quickly.

Based on 107 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter and early spring are praised as the best times for camping due to mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer camping is less popular due to extreme heat, though the campground may be less...

Based on 107 reviews

Camper Quotes

"It's a great pitstop to grab some water, take a bathroom break, and check your brakes before heading down into Death Valley." "Beware of high winds!! I don't recommend tenting." "Nice little...

Based on 107 reviews

Accessibility Features

The rough, rocky terrain and two steps at the toilet building entrance pose accessibility challenges for wheelchair users.

Based on 107 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed and attended at all times. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Based on 107 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want no-fee desert camping with basic amenities and don't mind competing for a limited number of sites.

Skip if

You need guaranteed site availability or prefer softer ground for tent stakes.

Nearby Campgrounds

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4.3

(1235)

Furnace Creek Campground

P.O. Box 579, Death Valley, CA, USA, 92328

Furnace Creek Campground sits at the heart of Death Valley National Park, operated by the National Park Service with full hookups and flush toilets during the winter peak season. This large campground serves as base camp for exploring Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and the park's colorful slot canyons when desert temperatures turn mild. Reviewers praise the central location and clean facilities, though sites are tightly spaced and generator hours are limited.

$30.00 - $60.00 / night

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Sunset Campground

PO Box 579, Furnace Creek, CA, 92328, USA

Sunset Campground sits in Death Valley National Park near Furnace Creek, operated by the National Park Service. This very large campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station, serving as a convenient base for exploring the park's dramatic desert landscapes. Reviewers appreciate the spacious sites and clean facilities, though wind and road noise are common.

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Frequently Visited

Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping

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(0)

Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping

There is no specific street address for the park.

Death Valley's backcountry roadside camping drops you into one of Earth's most extreme landscapes at 194 feet below sea level. These primitive pullouts along dirt roads demand a high-clearance vehicle and total self-sufficiency. No amenities, no neighbors, just raw desert and dark skies.

Primitive

Reservable

32.46 km

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

377 Abbott Dr, Cantil, CA 93519

Ricardo Campground sits at 2,621 feet where the Sierra Nevada and El Paso Range meet, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and volcanic rock formations in Red Rock Canyon State Park. The 50 sites accommodate tents and RVs up to 30 feet, with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Nightly fees run $23-$25. No hookups, no showers, just desert geology and dark skies.

$23.00 - $25.00 / night

Campgrounds

Death Valley National Park

Emigrant Campground

About Death Valley National Park

Context for the broader area surrounding Emigrant Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.

Directions

There are multiple entrances to the park. Click below to learn the best ways to travel to Death Valley.