Wildrose Campground

4.49

58 reviews

PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA, 92328, USA

Stargazing

Featured in:Death Valley#2 Camping Near Death Valley National Park#3 Desert Camping California

Quick Facts

4,100 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

4,100 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Wildrose Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Wildrose Campground is free; visitors are encouraged to pay the park entry fee to support the park.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

760-786-3200deva_information@nps.gov

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What Campers Say

4.49

Recommended

Based on 58 reviews

97 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quiethiking

"User reviews for Wildrose Campground frequently highlight its rugged beauty and suitability for stargazing. The lack of water and the presence of strong winds are common themes in feedback. While some users appreciate the quiet, remote setting, others describe the campground as a 'utilitarian base camp' rather than a pleasant destination."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA, 92328, USA

Wildrose Campground

PO Box 579, Death Valley, CA, 92328, USA

Driving directionsLocated high in the Panamint Mountains on Emigrant Canyon Road. From CA190 take Emigrant Canyon Road. Be sure to check road conditions prior to your trip.

Emigrant Canyon Road provides access to the campground, but it is recommended to check road conditions prior to your trip. The Wildrose Road route is unpaved, presenting challenges for low-clearance vehicles.

Nearby places

Stovepipe Wells (~30 miles). Furnace Creek (~40 miles).

Nearby supplies

Closest potable water is at Emigrant Rest Area (~22 miles). No camp store or other amenities available on-site.

Best Time to Camp at Wildrose Campground

Escape the infamous Death Valley heat at Wildrose, where elevation works its cooling magic. As one seasoned ranger notes, 'This campground will be much cooler than the valley floor during the day'—a blessing when summer temperatures soar below. But don't let the daytime relief fool you; desert nights at this elevation can be surprisingly cold, with temperatures plummeting after sunset. The notorious Panamint winds frequently whip through camp during daylight hours, turning tent setup into an adventure of its own. Pack layers and secure your gear—Mother Nature runs the show up here.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

2.5 / 5

Summer brings extreme daytime heat despite being cooler than the valley floor; mixed feedback.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall offers cooler temps and excellent conditions for hiking and stargazing.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Mild spring temps make it ideal for hiking and night photography.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.5 / 5

Top 23% in CA

Open year‑round; accessible in winter though nights can be cold—prepare accordingly.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Not specified.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.
Current Alerts: None specified.

About Wildrose Campground

Perched at 4,100 feet in the rugged Panamint Mountains, Wildrose Campground offers adventurous souls a genuine wilderness escape in Death Valley National Park. This first-come, first-served haven features rustic dirt and gravel sites nestled among aromatic mesquite bushes and dramatic rolling hills. While the campground embraces its primitive nature—there's no running water here—it rewards visitors with an authentic desert camping experience far from the crowds. Generators hum to life between 7am and 7pm, but as darkness falls, the true magic begins. Be prepared for nature's wild side: fierce winds often sweep across these exposed sites, adding to the raw, untamed character of this high-desert retreat.

Wildrose Campground is a primitive, fee-free campground suitable for both tent and RV camping. It emphasizes a back-to-basics, rugged camping experience.

Historical SignificanceWildrose serves as your gateway to fascinating chapters of Death Valley's human story. Just up the road, the remarkably preserved charcoal kilns stand as 25-foot-tall beehive monuments to the area's 1870s mining boom, when these stone furnaces transformed pinyon pines into fuel for distant silver smelters. The campground also marks the starting point for intrepid hikers bound for Telescope Peak, the park's highest summit, where ancient bristlecone pines have witnessed centuries of desert drama unfold below.

Weather and SeasonsEscape the infamous Death Valley heat at Wildrose, where elevation works its cooling magic. As one seasoned ranger notes, 'This campground will be much cooler than the valley floor during the day'—a blessing when summer temperatures soar below. But don't let the daytime relief fool you; desert nights at this elevation can be surprisingly cold, with temperatures plummeting after sunset. The notorious Panamint winds frequently whip through camp during daylight hours, turning tent setup into an adventure of its own. Pack layers and secure your gear—Mother Nature runs the show up here.

ElevationAt 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) above sea level, Wildrose Campground occupies a sweet spot in the Panamint Mountains—high enough to escape the valley's crushing heat, yet accessible enough for most vehicles. This elevation creates a unique microclimate where desert meets mountain, offering cooler temperatures and clearer air than the scorching basin below, while still maintaining that quintessential Death Valley character.

Natural Features and SceneryWildrose reveals a softer side of Death Valley's harsh reputation, where fragrant mesquite bushes perfume the air and weathered rocks tell geological tales millions of years in the making. The surrounding Panamint landscape rolls and tumbles in earthen waves, painted in subtle desert hues that shift with the changing light. But the true spectacle begins after dark—with minimal light pollution and crystal-clear desert air, the night sky erupts in a breathtaking display of stars that has captivated visitors and earned rave reviews from stargazers. This is where the Milky Way puts on its finest show, reminding us why dark skies are among our most precious natural resources.

Geological RegionWildrose Campground sits within the ancient Panamint Mountains, a dramatic range that forms Death Valley's western wall. This geological wonderland showcases millions of years of Earth's history through its rolling hills, exposed rock formations, and hardy desert vegetation. The Panamints tell a story of tectonic forces, volcanic activity, and erosion that shaped this landscape into the rugged paradise campers experience today. Here, mesquite-dotted slopes and rocky outcrops create a terrain that's both challenging and beautiful—a true slice of Basin and Range geology at its finest.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Anytime as it operates first-come, first-served.

Check-out

12 PM Noon

Stay Limit

Stay limited to 30 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

8people per site.

Groups

No designated group camping sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutPrimitive layout with 23 sites scattered across dirt and gravel terrain.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not accepted.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-served; reviews suggest arriving early during busy weekends or holidays.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as all sites are first-come, first-served.

AccessibilityThe area has a flat dirt/gravel surface, making it relatively accessible. However, there are no designated ADA sites, and wheelchair access is not formally supported.

Site SizeThe sites are described as basic, being dirt and gravel with rocky ground. Some reviews note that the ground is hard, making tent stakes difficult to penetrate.

PrivacySites are described as exposed and mostly impersonal. Some campsites are located on a hill, providing a bit more isolation and are less visible from below.

Total Campsites23 campsites

Recommended SitesArrive early for best site selection; upper sites provide privacy but are harder to locate.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Wildrose Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, particularly those that take advantage of its remote location and clear night skies. The area is cooler than the valley floor and is a good base for exploring nearby hikes and scenic sites.

HikingThe area serves as a base for hiking activities, including Wildrose Peak, which is well-regarded. Trails nearby offer scenic views and a chance to explore the unique terrain.

BikingEmigrant Canyon Road is a popular route for biking, although some parts of the road can be rough.

Wildlife viewingWildlife such as burros, snakes, and even rattlesnakes have been observed by visitors. The area is also excellent for stargazing, with frequent mentions of seeing the Milky Way.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh winds can make camping challenging. Wildlife hazards include rattlesnakes and burros. "Watch out for rattlesnakes; nearest hospital is almost 2 hours away."

Active AlertsNone specified.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

Fire PolicyFires only permitted in designated pits. Open flames prohibited from June 15 to September 15.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 7 AM.

Emergency ServicesNearest hospital is approximately 2 hours away; users caution about rattlesnakes and emergencies requiring medical attention.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available year-round. Users are advised to keep food and garbage sealed in vehicles or animal-resistant containers to prevent wildlife encounters.

Water FeaturesNo water features nearby. Closest potable water is ~22 miles away at Emigrant Rest Area.

Camp HostNo staff or campground hosts on-site.

Weather at Wildrose Campground

Reviews

4.5

58 reviews

Recommended

Wildrose Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Wildrose Campground frequently highlight its rugged beauty and suitability for stargazing. The lack of water and the presence of strong winds are common themes in feedback. While some users appreciate the quiet, remote setting, others describe the campground as a 'utilitarian base camp' rather than a pleasant destination.

Review Summaries

Based on 58 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praise the breathtaking night skies, cooler temperatures compared to the valley floor, and the remote, quiet setting. Many also appreciate the fee-free nature of the campground and its...

Based on 58 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of water, strong winds, rocky and hard ground, and the small size of the sites. Some visitors found the vault toilets unusable due to flies.

Based on 58 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure a site, especially on weekends and holidays. Secure tents and equipment against strong winds. Bring sufficient water (the closest source is 22 miles away at Emigrant Rest...

Based on 58 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews note extreme daytime heat, but also cooler nights compared to lower elevations. Winter reviews highlight the campground's accessibility year-round but recommend preparedness for cold...

Based on 58 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The sky was absolutely clear and the night was as dark as it could get to notice the Milky Way through the naked eyes.' - Darshan Ganapathi 2. 'Temps are way cooler up here. Perfect weather for...

Based on 58 reviews