National park · Death Valley · California

Furnace Creek Campground

Furnace Creek Campground is the National Park Service campground at the main hub of Death Valley National Park in California, sitting 196 feet below sea level next to the visitor center and the Oasis at Death Valley resort complex. It is the campground most RVers are looking for because 18 of its 136 sites have full hookups (water, 30/50-amp electric, and sewer), a genuine rarity in the national park system. It suits RVers who want a reservable in-park base for the October-to-April season with services close at hand.

Furnace Creek Campground at a glance

Hookups Mixed: none or full
Sites 136 total
Max RV length Selected sites reach 100 ft
Cost $30–$44
Fees $44 is full-hookup; summer inventory is first-come.
Reservations Recreation.gov Oct 15–Apr 15
Season Reservable October 15 through April 15; limited sites may remain open in summer (heat advisories apply)
Elevation -196 feet (below sea level)
Dump station Yes
Showers No (available at the Oasis resort for a fee)
Cell signal Intermittent — Verizon and AT&T pick up a signal near the visitor center, but do not rely on it

Source-backed: NPS campground rules (checked 2026-07-18). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.

Why RVers stay here

Furnace Creek Campground is the National Park Service campground at the main hub of Death Valley National Park in California, sitting 196 feet below sea level next to the visitor center and the Oasis at Death Valley resort complex. It is the campground most RVers are looking for because 18 of its 136 sites have full hookups (water, 30/50-amp electric, and sewer), a genuine rarity in the national park system. It suits RVers who want a reservable in-park base for the October-to-April season with services close at hand.

Standard sites are $30 and the full-hookup sites $44 (a $30 site fee plus $14 utility charge), reservable on Recreation.gov from October 15 through April 15 up to six months ahead; outside that window only limited first-come inventory remains, and NPS advises against summer camping in the extreme heat. Selected sites publish total lengths up to 100 feet, but the exact site controls fit. The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, and a dump station but no showers; those are at the resort next door for a fee. Cell signal is intermittent. The trade-off is that only 18 sites have hookups and they book early, most sites are unshaded, and the remaining 118 are dry camping with generators limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • 18 real full-hookup sites (nine pull-through, nine back-in) with 30/50 amp, water, and sewer inside a national park.
  • Adjacent to the visitor center and the Oasis resort with its spring-fed pool, restaurant, general store, and fuel.
  • Reservable October 15 to April 15, so the trip can anchor on a confirmed in-park site rather than a first-come gamble.
  • Selected sites publish total lengths up to 100 feet for long combinations.
  • Drinking water, flush toilets, and a dump station support the 118 dry sites too.
  • !Only 18 of 136 sites have hookups, and they book early; the rest are dry camping with generator hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • !No showers in the campground (available at the resort for a fee) and most sites are unshaded.
  • !Summer heat is dangerous; NPS advises against camping in extreme heat and reservations end April 15.

What our guides say about Furnace Creek Campground

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Death Valley RV Camping: Hookup Sites, Dry Camps & Desert Survival Tips

Furnace Creek is the campground most RVers are looking for, and for one specific reason: it has 18 full-hookup sites. That is extraordinary for a national park. Most NPS campgrounds offer nothing beyond a picnic table and a fire ring. Furnace Creek gives you water, electric (30/50 amp), and sewer connections at those 18 sites — a genuine rarity in the national park system. Our current Furnace Creek Campground review lists the exact pull-through and back-in hookup sites, $30/$44 fees and reservation rules.

The campground sits at 196 feet below sea level near the park's main hub. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a short drive north. The Oasis at Death Valley resort complex — with its spring-fed swimming pool, restaurant, general store, and fuel station — is adjacent. For a desert campground, the access to services is surprisingly good.

The full picture is 136 total sites. Those 18 hookup sites are the premium spots, and they book early. The remaining 118 sites are standard dry camping — a paved pad, a picnic table, a fire ring, and shared water spigots and restrooms. The dry sites are perfectly serviceable for self-contained rigs, but you will be running your generator or drawing on your battery bank for power.

Read the guide →

Our verdict

Book Furnace Creek if you can land one of the 18 hookup sites in the October-to-April window or are happy dry camping beside the park's services. Skip it if you need showers at camp, shade, or a summer visit.

Furnace Creek Campground: frequently asked questions

Does Furnace Creek Campground have full hookups?

Yes, at 18 sites: nine pull-through and nine back-in with water, 30/50-amp electric, and sewer. The other 118 sites are dry camping.

How much does Furnace Creek Campground cost per night?

$30 for a standard site and $44 for a full-hookup site ($30 site fee plus $14 utility fee). The park entrance fee is separate.

What is the max RV length at Furnace Creek Campground?

Selected sites publish total lengths up to 100 feet, but fit varies by site and surrounding roads can impose their own restrictions. Check the exact site record on Recreation.gov.

Do you need reservations at Furnace Creek?

From October 15 through April 15 sites are reservable on Recreation.gov up to six months ahead, and the hookup sites go early. Outside that window only limited first-come inventory is available.

Are there showers at Furnace Creek Campground?

No showers in the NPS campground; showers are available at the adjacent Oasis resort for a fee.

Is Furnace Creek Campground open in summer?

Limited sites may remain open first-come, but heat advisories apply and NPS explicitly advises against camping in the extreme heat. Plan for October through April.

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