Homestake Campground (Primitive)

4.22

26 reviews

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Featured in:Camping Near Death Valley National Park

Quick Facts

3,785 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

3,785 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Homestake Campground (Primitive)

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping is free; however, a Death Valley entrance fee or Annual/Lifetime Pass is required.

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

4.22

Satisfactory

Based on 26 reviews

23 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefullocation

"Visitors consistently praise the remote and rugged nature of Homestake Campground, with its solitude, stunning night skies, and proximity to Racetrack Playa. However, the porta-potty condition and lack of services are frequent criticisms."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

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Homestake Campground (Primitive)

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Driving directionsOff of CA190 at the junction for Scotty’s Castle road, travel north thirty-eight (38) miles toward Ubehebe Crater. Just before the parking area for the crater, turn right onto unpaved Racetrack Road. Travel 20 miles on this high-clearance 4WD road and take a right at Teakettle Junction. Travel 9.5 miles and just past the Racetrack playa arrive at the campground.

Accessible only via unpaved roads suitable for high-clearance, 4WD vehicles. Lippincott Pass is particularly challenging and should only be attempted by experienced drivers. Racetrack Road is notoriously rough and prone to tire damage; travelers are advised to carry spare tires and repair kits.

Nearby places

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Nearby supplies

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Best Time to Camp at Homestake Campground (Primitive)

The desert here plays by its own rules, painting each day with dramatic temperature swings that can catch the unprepared off guard. Winter nights plunge toward freezing, transforming the landscape into a crystalline wonderland under brilliant stars, while summer unleashes the full fury of Death Valley's legendary heat. Rain is a stranger in these parts, blessing the land with mere drops throughout the year. The result? Nearly endless blue skies by day and cosmic displays by night, making every season a photographer's dream—if you can handle the extremes.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

Not recommended

Desert extremes in summer make conditions potentially dangerous and unpleasant.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall and spring are busier and more comfortable; favorable conditions noted in reviews.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring noted positively in reviews; busier season with good camping weather.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round; winter nights can plunge toward freezing but some reviewers appreciated calm conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.
Current Alerts: null

About Homestake Campground (Primitive)

Deep in the heart of Death Valley National Park, Homestake Campground awaits the most adventurous souls willing to venture into true wilderness. Perched at 3,785 feet, this remote outpost demands respect and preparation—your high-clearance 4WD vehicle will be tested on the journey here, and once you arrive, you'll find yourself in one of the most isolated camping experiences in North America. With no facilities, no water, and no neighbors for miles, this primitive site offers something increasingly rare: complete solitude beneath some of the darkest, most star-filled skies on the continent. Just beyond your tent lies the enigmatic Racetrack Playa, where mysterious sailing stones have puzzled visitors and scientists for generations.

Homestake Campground is a primitive campsite suitable for tent camping. It is highly remote and offers no services or modern facilities.

Historical SignificanceThis remote corner of Death Valley holds secrets that have captivated explorers and scientists for decades. The nearby Racetrack Playa serves as nature's most perplexing gallery, where rocks weighing hundreds of pounds mysteriously glide across the ancient lakebed, leaving trails that have sparked countless theories and scientific studies. At Teakettle Junction, a whimsical tradition lives on as travelers hang kettles from a signpost, creating an ever-changing art installation that speaks to the human need to leave a mark, even in the most desolate places.

Weather and SeasonsThe desert here plays by its own rules, painting each day with dramatic temperature swings that can catch the unprepared off guard. Winter nights plunge toward freezing, transforming the landscape into a crystalline wonderland under brilliant stars, while summer unleashes the full fury of Death Valley's legendary heat. Rain is a stranger in these parts, blessing the land with mere drops throughout the year. The result? Nearly endless blue skies by day and cosmic displays by night, making every season a photographer's dream—if you can handle the extremes.

ElevationAt 3,785 feet above sea level, Homestake occupies a unique position in Death Valley's varied topography. This elevation brings a double-edged sword of climate challenges: the thin desert air amplifies the sun's intensity during the day, demanding sun protection and plenty of water, while nights can turn surprisingly cold as heat rapidly escapes into the clear atmosphere. The elevation provides just enough relief from the valley floor's extreme temperatures while still delivering the authentic high desert experience.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to a landscape that seems borrowed from another planet—where ancient forces have sculpted a masterpiece of minimalism. The terrain around Homestake is a study in desert resilience, with hardy shrubs and twisted Joshua trees standing sentinel over hard-packed earth and weathered stone. Your view stretches endlessly across this primordial canvas toward the mysterious Racetrack Playa, where nature performs its slow-motion magic show. Not far away, Ubehebe Crater yawns open like a portal to Earth's violent past. This is a place where silence is so complete you can hear your own heartbeat, and where the Milky Way blazes across the night sky with an intensity that reminds you why our ancestors saw gods in the stars.

Geological RegionHomestake Campground sits within one of Earth's most extreme geological theaters—Death Valley National Park. Here, the planet's raw power is on full display through weathered badlands, ancient lake beds, and volcanic remnants. The hard-packed desert floor tells a story millions of years in the making, while nearby Racetrack Playa showcases one of geology's most intriguing mysteries with its sailing stones. Ubehebe Crater adds another chapter to this geological storybook, its massive depression a reminder of the explosive forces that shaped this landscape. This is terrain that humbles even the most prepared adventurers, where every rock formation and distant peak speaks to the incredible forces that continue to shape our planet.

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Check-in

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Check-out

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Stay Limit

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Guests Allowed Per Site

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Groups

The campground does not have designated group camping sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutPrimitive layout with dispersed sites and no designated loops. Sites are drive-up only and lack tables or chairs.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable since reservations are not accepted.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are walk-up only and typically less crowded due to the remote location and challenging access.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservations are allowed, as all sites are first-come-first-serve.

AccessibilityThe campground is not ADA accessible. Additionally, access is unsuitable for RVs, trailers, or vehicles without high clearance or 4WD.

Site SizeCampsites are described as spacious but primitive, with no specific sizing information available.

PrivacySites offer minimal privacy due to the open desert terrain and lack of vegetation.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesDrive cautiously on Racetrack Road and Lippincott Pass; carry spare tires, repair kits, and sufficient water. Stargazing is best on clear nights when the campground is less crowded.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Homestake Campground offers a rugged outdoor experience with limited activities focused on the natural surroundings. Key highlights include stargazing, exploring nearby Racetrack Playa and Teakettle Junction, and hiking in the surrounding areas.

HikingNearby attractions like Ubehebe Peak offer hiking opportunities. However, there are no formally maintained trails within the campground.

Wildlife viewingThe remote location offers potential for wildlife viewing, though no specific species are highlighted.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsDirt roads to the site are infamous for damaging tires; travelers should carry spares and a repair kit. Wildlife hazards include scavengers like coyotes and ravens. Lack of water and shade presents risks of dehydration and sun exposure.

Active Alertsnull

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.

Weather at Homestake Campground (Primitive)

Reviews

4.2

26 reviews

Satisfactory

Homestake Campground (Primitive) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise the remote and rugged nature of Homestake Campground, with its solitude, stunning night skies, and proximity to Racetrack Playa. However, the porta-potty condition and lack of services are frequent criticisms.

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praised the campground's remoteness, solitude, and incredible stargazing opportunities. Its location near Racetrack Playa and Teakettle Junction is considered a highlight. Several reviews...

Based on 26 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues raised by users include the poor condition of the porta-potty, lack of water and shade, and the challenging access road, which is described as rough and damaging to tires. Noise from...

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing all necessary supplies, including water and a portable toilet. High-clearance vehicles with spare tires are essential due to the rough access road. Several reviewers...

Based on 26 reviews

Seasonal Insights

In winter months, campers highlighted freezing temperatures at night but appreciated the lack of wind. Spring and fall appear to be busier seasons, with reviews noting increased campsite occupancy....

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Primitive camping in an excellent location. Far away from any cities, this location offers excellent stargazing. We saw the Milky Way." - Steve Tjiang. "Campground has fire pits and a port-a-potty....

Based on 26 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The campground appears to have around 5-10 sites. One user noted, 'I had the camp site farthest from the toilet and it was a short walk under the full moon.' Another mentioned that the campground was...

Based on 26 reviews

Accessibility Features

There were no specific reviews addressing accessibility features, though the lack of ADA compliance and challenging access road were noted.

Based on 26 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, with a maximum of four per site. They must be leashed and attended at all times. No issues or highlights specific to pets were mentioned in user reviews.

Based on 26 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026

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