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

Sunset 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 Sunset Campground before I book?

Yes! Sunset Campground has 3 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.

What is the best time to visit Sunset Campground?

Sunset Campground is open Open seasonally from October 15 through April 15 due to extreme summer temperatures. Closed during summer months.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Sunset Campground?

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

How many campsites does Sunset Campground have?

Sunset Campground has 230 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Sunset Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sunset 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 Sunset Campground?

Sunset Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Sunset Campground

4.07

93 reviews

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

Top 9% in CAWinter

Featured in:Death Valley Camping Near Death Valley National Park

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

-154 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

230 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

-154 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

230 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Sunset Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

760-786-3200deva_info@nps.gov

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Campground Map

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

Sunset Campground

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

Nearby places

Furnace Creek (less than 1 mile), Stovepipe Wells (approximately 30 minutes west)

Weather at Sunset Campground

Current alert: Campfires are not allowed in Sunset except at a few established community fire grates within the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Sunset Campground

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 9% in CA

Winter camping praised in reviews: cool temps, clear skies, and low crowds.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open seasonally from October 15 through April 15 due to extreme summer temperatures. Closed during summer months.

About Sunset Campground

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.

Sunset Campground accommodates both car and tent camping, though its open layout primarily caters to RV users. It does not offer primitive or group camping options, nor are there cabins or luxury camping accommodations available.

ElevationNestled on the legendary valley floor of Death Valley, the campground sits at one of the lowest elevations in North America. This unique position offers campers the extraordinary experience of sleeping below sea level, surrounded by towering mountain ranges that create nature's most dramatic amphitheater.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground's gravel surface and sparse vegetation are exactly what you'd expect at this elevation in Death Valley. Mountains ring the valley floor, their geology laid bare by millions of years of tectonic shifts and erosion. The open terrain means unobstructed sunset views when the sky turns colors that photographs can't quite capture. Moonlit nights transform the landscape into something silver and strange. Wind sweeps across the valley floor regularly, carrying dust and sand with it. Hardy desert plants survive here, but don't expect shade or greenery.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or accommodations are provided directly at the campground. Nearby Furnace Creek Ranch offers additional amenities and services.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are offered at the campground itself.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

30 days maximum stay.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 people per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations available; first-come, first-served only.

AccessibilityADA-compliant parking and access to one comfort station located on the west side of the campground at the end of 'D' roadway. Campsites are gravel-based, and roadways within the main campground are paved, except for overflow areas.

Site SizeThe campground contains a total of 230 sites, described as large and suitable for RVs up to 60 feet in length.

PrivacyPrivacy between sites is minimal due to the open, parking-lot-style layout of the campground.

Total Campsites230 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose pull-through sites near restrooms for convenience or east edge sites for a slightly better view.

Best CampsitesPull-through sites near the restrooms fill first due to convenience and proximity to the dump station. Sites on the east edge offer better views of the surrounding mountains. Arrive early to claim them.

Amenities available

Sunset Campground is a large, seasonal campground in Death Valley National Park. The site is open from October 15th to April 15th and is first-come, first-served. It is described as a basic facility with minimal amenities, situated on desert gravel with little to no vegetation. While car and tent camping are allowed, the campground does not offer fire grates or picnic tables at individual sites. Campfires are prohibited except in two designated community fire rings. The facility provides flush toilets and potable water during the operational season, but no showers. Additionally, a dump station is available seasonally, and visitors can purchase supplies at a nearby camp store. Cell phone coverage and internet connectivity are not available on-site, but limited service may be accessible at nearby Furnace Creek facilities.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Camp Store

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Sunset Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Death Valley National Park. While the campground itself does not offer structured activities, its proximity to popular attractions like Mesquite Sand Dunes, Dante's View, and Badwater Basin makes it a favored spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

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.

Trip Planning Tools

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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

4.1

93 reviews

Satisfactory

Sunset Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Sunset Campground highlight its convenience and affordability but note its basic amenities and lack of vegetation. The open, parking-lot-style layout is a recurring critique, particularly among tent campers, but RV users appreciate the ample space and utility access.

Review Summaries

Based on 93 reviews

What Campers Love

Commonly praised aspects include the large size of the sites, clean restrooms, access to potable water, and its accessibility as a base for exploring Death Valley attractions. Some users commend the...

Based on 93 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include the lack of shade, absence of picnic tables and fire rings, and the overall 'parking lot' aesthetic. Noise from generators and proximity to highways are additional...

Based on 93 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Pull-through sites near restrooms are highly recommended for convenience. Sites on the east edge may offer a slight view, though privacy and vegetation are limited.

Based on 93 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend arriving early to secure a pull-through site near restrooms, stocking up on supplies beforehand, and exploring nearby attractions like Mesquite Sand Dunes and Badwater Basin....

Based on 93 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter and early spring receive the most positive reviews due to cooler weather and clear skies. Summer is avoided because of extreme heat.

Based on 93 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This is actually a very nice campground. Large sites, flush toilets, potable water available, and you are in the middle of one of the most spectacular places in the country.' (Edward Kear) 2....

Based on 93 reviews

Accessibility Features

The paved roadways and ADA-compliant comfort station are appreciated by visitors with accessibility needs.

Based on 93 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed on leashes, but owners must clean up after them. Some users noted compliance with leash rules was not strictly enforced.

Based on 93 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a well-equipped base camp for Death Valley exploration with large sites and basic amenities.

Skip if

You need shade, fire pits, or quiet sites away from road noise.

Nearby Campgrounds

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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.

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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.

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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.

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$10.00 - $10.00 / night

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Red Rock Canyon Campground

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Red Rock Canyon Campground sits in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 17 miles west of Las Vegas. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this mid-sized campground serves as base camp for hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers exploring the dramatic sandstone formations and desert trails. The site offers tent, RV, and group camping with vault toilets, potable water, and attentive camp hosts who keep facilities clean and help visitors navigate the area.

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Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters

Hilltop sits at 8,400 feet in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about an hour northwest of Las Vegas. This high-elevation alpine campground offers a cool summer escape with spacious sites, fire rings, and picnic tables spread across tent, RV, and primitive areas. Hikers and mountain bikers use it as a base for exploring surrounding trails, and the elevation delivers clear stargazing and relief from desert heat.

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Campgrounds

Death Valley National Park

Sunset Campground

About Death Valley National Park

Context for the broader area surrounding Sunset 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.