Where to Stay at Death Valley: A Must-Read Guide
Choosing where to stay at Death Valley is a big decision when planning your visit to the national park. Would you rather stay inside of the park, or in a nearby city, camping vs. hotel, and the biggest question of all, how long should you stay in Death Valley?
In this post, you can find a guide that I have created to help answer all of those burning questions and more. Find out the top places to stay in Death Valley and the accommodation that best fits your travel schedule and budget.
⏰ Don’t have time to read the entire article? No worries. My top pick 🥇 for where to stay in Death Valley National Park is: The Inn at Death Valley It is the best place to stay because of: Location, beautiful property, stunning views, and highest-rated accommodation in Death Valley.
Where to Stay at Death Valley
When deciding on accommodations for your Death Valley trip the first question you need to ask yourself is: Should you stay inside or outside of Death Valley National Park?
Lodging in Death Valley National Park
There are many perks of staying inside of the national park, the main reason is, being closer to the main sites in Death Valley.
If you didn’t know this already, Death Valley is huge. It is the largest U.S. National Park outside Alaska at 3,422,024 acres. So where you decide to stay in Death Valley, could save you a lot of extra driving time.
There are four hotels inside of Death Valley National Park:
The Oasis at Death Valley
The Oasis at Death Valley is a beautiful lush oasis in the middle of the desert. When you see The Oasis in person, It’s pretty amazing and honestly brilliant to have this incredible hotel located in the heart of Death Valley.
The Oasis has two unique hotels inside of the national park, The Inn at Death Valley and The Ranch at Death Valley.
The Inn at Death Valley
The Inn at Death Valley is the more upscale option between the two hotels at The Oasis. It is a 4 Diamond resort with outstanding service and an enhanced level of quality and luxury.
It’s the perfect place to relax, either at their spring-fed pool, and lush palm gardens, or make a reservation at their spa. It located is close to Zabriskie Point.
They also recently renovated the property and built 22 brand new Casitas for those guests who would prefer a more private and secluded stay.
“Amazing resort in the middle of Death Valley. Beautiful grounds, excellent dining, wonderful pool with bar service. We stayed in one of the casitas and loved the privacy. Highly reccomend!” – Alan (read more reviews)
The Inn has a fine dining restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with stunning views of the desert salt pans and the majestic Panamint Mountains.
✅ Check rates & availability The Inn Death Valley here
The Ranch at Death Valley
The Ranch is the more casual and cheaper option of hotels at The Oasis. If you are traveling with a group or family, The Ranch at Death Valley will be the better option for you.
The hotel has a lot of family-friendly activities, such as a pool, playground, horseback rides, fire pits, horseshoe pits, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. Also, the lowest elevation golf course in the world!
The Ranch is newly renovated, with an addition of 80 new cottage-style accommodations. At The Ranch, you can find two restaurants, an ice cream parlor, a coffee bar, and a general store selling souvenirs and groceries.
✅ Check rates & availability The Ranch at Death Valley here
Stovepipe Wells Village
Stovepipe Wells Village offers a little bit of everything for accommodations. Including 83 rooms and a campground for RV’s and camping. The hotel also boasts beautiful views of the Mesquite Sand Dunes and surrounding mountain ranges.
Amenities at the Stovepipe Wells Village include a swimming pool, a western saloon, a restaurant, and a general store and gift shop.
✅ Check rates & availability Stovepipe Wells Village here
Panamint Springs Resort
Panamint Springs Resort is a small western-style motel located in the Panamint Valley in Death Valley National Park. The resort provides lodging at their motel, cabin-style motel rooms, cottage, RV site, tent cabins, or camping site.
The Panamint Springs Resort has everything you need from a restaurant, bar, and general store. It is also the only place you can stay in Death Valley that allows dogs.
Know Before You Go: Spring is typically considered the high season in Death Valley. If you plan on traveling then, make sure to book your hotel stay in Death Valley in advance. The hotels inside of the national park book up pretty quickly.
✅ Check rates & availability Panamint Springs Resort here
Best Places to Stay at Death Valley: Campgrounds
The other option for your stay in Death Valley is to go camping in your tent or an RV.
There are a total of nine national park campgrounds in Death Valley for you to choose from. To name a few of the popular ones:
Furnace Creek: The only campsite that accepts reservations, all of the campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. Furnace Creek typically fills up during Death Valley’s busy season in the winter and spring months.
The campsite is located right behind Death Valley’s visitor center and is the only campsite with RV hookups. The fee is $22 for camping and $36 for RV hookups.
Sunset Campground: The Sunset Campground is open late fall through spring, first come first serve, and no RV hookups on site. It’s located at Furnace Creek and a good option if the Furnace Creek Campground fills up. The fee is $14 for camping.
Stovepipe Wells Campground: The Stovepipe Wells Campground is conveniently located across the street from the Stovepipe General store and the Stove Wells RV park.
The campground has views of the Mesquite Sand Dunes and is also a first come first serve campsite. Stovepipe is a privately owned campground, and it is $14 for camping.
Private Campgrounds Within the Park: Stovepipe Wells RV Park, The Ranch at Death Valley, and Panamint Springs Resort.
Can I camp anywhere in Death Valley:
No, you cannot camp anywhere in Death Valley National Park. You can only camp at the designated Death Valley campgrounds or the private campgrounds.
Tips for Camping at Death Valley
- Pets are allowed at campsites
- Furnace Creek accepts reservations up to 6 months in advance.
- You pay at an automated kiosk that requires a credit or debit card.
- Be aware of temperatures, especially in the summer
- Stock up on your camping supplies. However, there are a few convenient stores located throughout the park at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs.
Where to Stay Near Death Valley
Depending on where you are coming there are numerous great towns to stay in outside of Death Valley. You may not be staying inside the national park. However, there are other perks of staying outside of Death Valley, such as cheaper accommodations. Also, during the high season, the hotels inside the national park will typically book up months in advance.
What city is closest to Death Valley:
- Pahrump, Nevada: 48 miles from Death Valley entrance and approximately an hour’s drive.
- Beatty, Nevada: 8.9 miles from Death Valley’s entrance and approximately a 10-minute drive
- Death Valley Junction, also known as Amargosa: 18 miles from Death Valley’s entrance and approximately a 17-minute drive
Where to Stay Near Death Valley: Pahrump, Nevada
If you are traveling to or from Las Vegas, Pahrump, Nevada, is the perfect destination for your stay near Death Valley. The town of Pahrump is approximately an hour and 10-minute drive from Las Vegas, and Pahrump is about an hour and a half drive from Death Valley National Park.
Best Western Pahrump Oasis
Located in the center of Pahrump, the Best Western Pahrump Oasis features include two outdoor swimming pools, a daily continental breakfast, a hot tub, and is pet friendly.
✅ Check rates & availability Best Western Pahrump Oasis here
Pahrump Nugget
The Pahrump Nugget is a luxury hotel and casino that offers tons of activities to do for a reasonable price. The Pahrump Nugget is a 3 Diamond hotel and casino with newly remodeled rooms. Other amenities include a bowling alley, live entertainment, gift shop, golf course, café, and steakhouse.
✅ Check rates & availability Pahrump Nugget here
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pahrump
The Holiday Inn Express is another budget-friendly option for you to stay near Death Valley. It’s located across the street from the Gold Town Casino, and amenities during your stay include a daily hot breakfast, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a gym. The Holiday Inn Express is also a dog-friendly hotel.
✅ Check rates & availability Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pahrump here
Where to Stay Near Death Valley: Beatty, Nevada
The small town of Beatty, Nevada is also known as the Gateway to Death Valley and is only 7 miles from the entrance of the national park.
Beatty is an interesting and unique town to visit and stay at in Death Valley. It is a small town, but there are many things to do in Beatty, Nevada, such as the famous Rhyolite Ghost Town.
On our recent trip to Death Valley, my husband and I and our dog Cash stayed in Beatty. We really enjoyed our time there, and it was nice to be able to visit a new town that we have never heard of before. Also, you will find all of the accommodations in Beatty to be budget-friendly.
Death Valley Inn
Death Valley Inn is a great family-friendly option for your stay in Death Valley. The motel offers an outdoor pool, hot tub, BBQ facilities, and an RV park. It is also pet-friendly.
✅ Check rates & availability Death Valley Inn here
Motel 6
Motel 6 is where we stayed during our time in Beatty, NV. It is a simple, no-frills motel, but it had everything we needed. The accommodations were clean, a great value for the price, and in the perfect location. We were within walking distance or a short drive to the popular Beatty restaurants and sites.
✅ Check rates & availability Motel 6 here
Exchange Club Motel
The Exchange Club Motel was rated highly for its cleanliness and location. The motel is centrally located in Beatty, with an onsite launderette, is pet friendly, and is reasonably priced.
✅ Check rates & availability Exchange Club Hotel here
Places to Stay Near Death Valley: Death Valley Junction or Amargosa
Death Valley Junction is fascinating. The town has a population of fewer than four people, which I can’t even wrap my head around. This tiny town has no stores, no gas station, a cafe, a hotel, and an opera house.
Death Valley Junction is located along California State Route 127 at the junction of California State Route 190, only 17 miles from the entrance of Death Valley National Park.
Marta Becket’s Amargosa Opera House & Hotel
Despite the small town, Amargosa Opera House is a historic and well-known hotel to stay in while visiting Death Valley. The Amargosa hotel has 16 simple dog-friendly rooms and a campground for your RV or tent. At the hotel, you can also find a café and opera house.
The Amargosa Opera House was built in 1968, and performances are still held here today. They also do tours of the opera house for $15 per person.
✅ Check rates & availability Amargosa Opera House here
Places to Stay Near Death Valley: Ridgecrest, California
Ridgecrest, CA, is located in the Mojave Desert, west of Death Valley National Park. It will take about an hour and 15 minutes to drive from Ridgecrest to the entrance of Death Valley.
There are many things to do in Ridgecrest. Such as exploring multicolored rock formations and scenic canyons at Rainbow Basin Natural Area, China Lake Naval Weapons Center, Maturango Museum of Indian Wells Valley, and plenty of hiking trails in the Mojave Desert.
SpringHill Suites Ridgecrest
Centrally located and only a few blocks from the China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, SpringHill Suites Ridgecrest features an outdoor pool with a hot tub, gym, and complimentary breakfast.
✅ Check rates & availability SpringHill Suites Ridgecrest here
Places to Stay Near Death Valley: Tecopa, California
Tecopa, CA, is just south of Death Valley National Park, about a one-hour drive to the entrance of Death Valley.
The main attractions and things to do in Tecopa are the natural hot springs, mud baths, and the Tecopa Brewery Company.
Delight’s Hot Springs Resort
After a day of traveling and adventure, relax and soak at the Delight’s Hot Springs Resort. The resort offers a hot spring swimming pool and four completely private hot spring bathhouses.
The accommodations at Delight’s Hot Springs include the option of motel rooms, small cottages, a cabin, a mobile home, and a trailer. Also, you can grab a beer and some food at the Tecopa Brewing Company, which is located right on site.
✅ Check rates & availability Delight’s Hot Springs Resort here
Are There Airbnb’s in Death Valley?
Unfortunately, no, there are not any Airbnb’s in Death Valley or near the national park. The closest option for Airbnb’s is located in Pahrump or Amargosa, which is about an hour from major sights in Death Valley.
How to Get to Death Valley
If you live in California or Nevada, Death Valley can be reached by car within one to two days, depending on the number of stops along the way.
The closest airport to Death Valley: Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS)
- Distance: from McCarran Airport to Death Valley is 120 miles
- Drive Time: 2-2.5 hours
Coming from Los Angeles and San Diego
It is about a 5-hour drive from Los Angeles to Death Valley and a 6-hour drive from San Diego. It is possible to make this road trip in a day. However, if you do not want to do the long drive all at once, you could either spend the night or set up a home base at Death Valley Junction, Pahrump, or Ridgecrest.
Where to Stay Between Death Valley and Sequoia
After a day of exploring Sequoia National Park, you will need the night to rest your head and prepare for the journey to Death Valley. The trip from Sequoia to Death Valley is about a 5-hour drive.
To cut down on some of that driving time, you could stay at Bakersfield, which is just about the halfway point between Death Valley and Sequoia. Or you could stay in Visalia or Three Rivers, which are towns right outside of Sequoia National Park.
Where to Stay between Death Valley and Yosemite
Are you planning a San Francisco to Death Valley road trip? I suggest adding in a visit to the incredible Yosemite National Park! Or do what we did and spend the day exploring Mono Lake’s unique tufa columns.
Death Valley Day Trip From Las Vegas
Las Vegas is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Death Valley and could be a day trip. However, after a long day of exploring Death Valley National Park, you may want to rest for the night at a nearby hotel.
Where to Stay Between Death Valley and Las Vegas:
Pahrump, Nevada, is smack dab in the middle of Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park. Another location you could stay at between Death Valley and Las Vegas is in Death Valley Junction.
When to Visit Death Valley
The time of year is crucial when planning your visit to Death Valley National Park. The summer temperatures average around 113 degrees Fahrenheit and often will get as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, it is dry heat. However, even dry heat at 113 is pretty darn hot.
For weather, the best months to visit Death Valley are between mid-October to mid-May. And honestly, sometimes in May, the temperatures can get pretty uncomfortable.
To experience the beautiful wildflowers throughout Death Valley, you will want to come between the months of mid-February to mid-May.
⭐ Tip: To avoid crowds and the summer heat, the perfect time of year to visit the national park is in the winter. The winter months are a beautiful time to explore the valley and you will find cheaper accommodations. Be prepared for less daylight and chilly mornings and nights. You can find tips for visiting Death Valley in the winter here.
How Long Should you Stay in Death Valley?
From our personal experience, I would say the perfect amount of time you would need to see Death Valley is two full days. Two days will keep you busy throughout the day, but you will not feel rushed trying to squeeze everything in.
However, if you plan on hiking in Death Valley, I would suggest staying longer. Since obviously, hikes will take longer than hopping in your car and driving to different locations.
If you are short on time, it is possible to visit Death Valley in a day. It will be a fully packed day, but you would be able to see all of the major sights.
In Conclusion: Where to Stay at Death Valley
As you can see, there are so many great options for places to stay at Death Valley or nearby. We loved our road trip to Death Valley. It was a one-of-a-kind experience and adventure! I hope you enjoy your time at Death Valley National Park too.
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