Sunset Campground – Death Valley National Park
Sunset Campground is a large, developed campground located in the heart of Death Valley National Park that offers a basic place to camp and is particularly popular among RV campers. With 230 campsites, this campground is open seasonally starting October 15th and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Despite its size, Sunset Campground rarely fills to capacity. The campground is situated on desert gravel with minimal vegetation, providing an expansive view of the desert landscape.
Campground Details
| GPS Coordinates | 36.45874152, -116.863675 |
| Info Phone | 760-786-3200 |
| Info Website | https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/sunset-campground.htm |
| Site Types | Tent, Car, RV Sites (No specific tent-only or RV-only sites) |
| Total Sites | 230 |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| RV Max Length in Feet | 60 |
| Trailer Max Length in Feet | 50 |
| Potable Water | Yes, Seasonal |
| Toilets | Flush Toilets (Seasonal) |
| Showers | None |
| Fire/Stove Policy | Two group fire rings only, no personal fire grates or charcoal grills allowed. Gas stoves permitted. |
| Trash/Recycling | Yes, Seasonal |
| Food Storage Lockers | No |
| Internet Connectivity | No |
| Cell Phone Reception | Yes, Year-Round |
| Staff On Site | Yes, Seasonal |
| Dump Station | Yes, Seasonal |
| Camp Store | Yes, Year-Round |
| Ice for Sale | No |
| Firewood for Sale | No |
| Amphitheater | No |
| Laundry | No |
Getting to Sunset Campground
Sunset Campground is located near Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, one of the most accessible areas within the park. To reach the campground from Las Vegas, Nevada, take US-95 north to NV-373 south, which becomes CA-127. Follow CA-190 west into the park and turn onto the road leading to Furnace Creek. From Los Angeles, take I-15 north to Baker, then CA-127 north and CA-190 west.
Campground Overview
Sunset Campground provides a simple yet practical camping experience in Death Valley’s extreme desert environment. The large, open gravel sites are easily accessed via paved roadways, while the overflow areas are reached by gravel paths.
Although there is minimal vegetation, the campground’s central location provides sweeping views of the surrounding desert and access to nearby park amenities.
The campground is popular for RV campers, but also used for car and tent camping. It does not offer individual fire grates or picnic tables. Campfires are only permitted at two designated group fire rings within the campground. Visitors must bring gas stoves or other portable cooking equipment if they wish to cook at their campsites.
The downside of this campground is that it doesn’t offer much privacy or protection from the wind or sun, though that is true of most of the park’s campgrounds. It feels, on the whole, like a large parking lot and a bit stark for tent camping in my opinion. That said, if you can’t find camping in one of the other camping areas, this is a great fall back.
Potable water and flush toilets are available seasonally, but there are no shower facilities on-site. Campers should be aware that, while cell phone reception is generally reliable, there is no internet connectivity. Basic supplies can be found at the nearby camp store, and a seasonal dump station is available for RVs.
Sunset Campground is perfect for those who don’t require extensive amenities and are really just looking for a place to crash while they explore the park. The lack of reservation requirements makes it a convenient option for last-minute visitors looking to explore Death Valley’s iconic landscapes.
For information on other camping options in the Death Valley area, check out our comprehensive Death Valley camping guide.
