Where to Stay in Death Valley | 13 Hotels, Resorts & Camping Spots

Beyond the luxurious city of Las Vegas rests a breathtaking landscape known for its extremes in both beauty and weather. Death Valley National Park is a majestic part of the world, with rugged valleys and expansive salt flats.

It’s also the largest national park south of Alaska at 3,422,024 acres, so there’s plenty to see. With so much to discover, where to stay in Death Valley National Park is not a simple solution.

Accommodation in Death Valley National Park is available, but these options are fairly pricey. So to make your life easier, this article highlights the best places to stay in and near Death Valley National Park for all budgets.

With these comfy lodgings in hand, you’ll be able to enjoy all the things to do in Death Valley.

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Lodging in Death Valley National Park | Practical Tips

Before jumping right into the best places to stay in Death Valley, you need to know a couple of things.

Choosing the Right Death Valley Lodging

Choosing the right accommodation really depends on what you want to see and do when in the park. 

If you’re an avid adventurer and enjoy exploring nature, there are over 91 scenic hikes in Death Valley. If you’re planning on exploring these hikes, it’s best to stay at one of the campgrounds across the park.

If you just intend on joining a guided tour through Death Valley, then staying in Las Vegas is a great idea. But if you want a more comfortable stay in the park, there are some luxury Death Valley hotels that might pique your interest.

About Furnace Creek Visitor Center

Although there are five entrances to the park, the most commonly used is along Highway 190. This road links the main east and west entrances and passes the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

You can pay park fees ($20 annual admission), learn about the top attractions in Death Valley, and see some exhibits. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is usually closed during the winter months. But you can still find park rangers here that are always happy to help.

About Death Valley Junction

If you’re planning an extended trip, then Death Valley Junction is a crucial little town you need to know about. It’s an 18-mile drive from the park entrance and your best option for getting supplies while in the park.

The places to visit for anything you may need in Death Valley Junction are Ruby’s Store and Martell Market.

Best Hotels In Death Valley National Park

It’s common to find that national parks don’t have places to stay in the actual park. But surprisingly, there are four fantastic Death Valley accommodations for you to pick from.

Luxury: The Inn at Death Valley (Furnace Creek)

Nothing gets better than The Inn at Death Valley – a tropical oasis in the Californian desert. The air-conditioned rooms provide fantastic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. And the pristine pool offers the perfect place to cool down after a long day.

You’re also no more than an 18-minute drive from the famous Badwater Basin. And when you’re not hiking the magnificent trails of the park, you can also visit the beautiful on-site spa for some moments of relaxation.

And if that doesn’t convince you, This Furnace Creek resorts restaurant offers delicious complimentary breakfasts. Prices at the Inn at Death Valley start at around $296 per night and gradually increase depending on the time of year.

Mid-Range: The Ranch at Death Valley (Furnace Creek)

Also known as the Furnace Creek Ranch, this historic resort offers you a 4-star stay in the heart of Death Valley National Park. The heated outdoor swimming pool is perfect for watching the sunset behind the Californian mountain range.

The 18-hole Furnace Creek Golf Course – the lowest-elevation golf course in the world – is within walking distance. The rooms are spacious, and a daily continental breakfast is on the house. 

Rooms start at around $152 per night, which is very reasonable considering the resort’s amenities. Hikes like the Golden Canyon Trailhead are nearby, and the famous Zabriskie Point is only 4.6 miles away.

Budget: Panamint Springs Resort (Panamint Springs)

Panamint Springs Resort is an excellent option if you want to save on lodging in Death Valley, California. This accommodation is on the park’s western side and offers access to incredible hikes like the Darwin Falls trailhead.

The rooms have a rustic feel as the timber-lined walls nestle into Panamint Valley. This is also pet-friendly accommodation, so you can bring your furry friends with you on a national park road trip. 

There aren’t many restaurants close to the lodging, but with rooms at about $65 per night, this is the perfect one-night stop during your holiday.

Budget: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel (Stovepipe Wells)

The Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is another fantastic budget-friendly option at the halfway point within the park. Stovepipe Wells Village is a quaint town with some top attractions close by, like the Mesquite Sand Dunes.

The beautiful swimming pool is open until midnight and is ideal for seeing the Milky Way Galaxy before heading to bed. The Toll Road Restaurant and Badwater Saloon on-site provide an authentic Wild West dining experience.

You can find rooms here starting at $144 per night, but the hotel also has an RV Park with accommodation starting at $40 per night.

Best Hotels Near Death Valley National Park: East Side

Hotels near Death Valley aren’t uncommon, but luxury stays are a fair distance from the park. You’ll find more lodgings on the park’s eastern side, with the best options 111 miles away in Las Vegas.

Luxury: The Palazzo at The Venetian (Las Vegas)

Despite the 107-mile drive, the Palazzo is fantastic if you want a luxurious stay. Las Vegas is the starting point for many day tours of Death Valley, and the Palazzo is one of the top 5-star hotels in town.

Every room offers unrivaled views of the city skyline, and with over 40 restaurants in the Venetian, you’re spoilt for choice. The lovely swimming pools make a great place to cool down on a hot day, and the Canyon Ranch Spa adds the cherry on top.

Despite the many amenities available, this isn’t the most expensive accommodation on this list, with rooms starting at $119 per night.

Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Express & Suites (Pahrump)

Slightly closer to home, the Holiday Inn Express in Pahrump is only 25 miles from the park entrance. This pet-friendly destination has just about everything you could need, from a hot tub to unforgettable views of Telescope Peak.

The crisp modern finishings of each room are lovely, and the tea and coffee station is perfect for your morning cup of joe. Although there’s a buffet on-site, Stockman’s Steakhouse is another excellent alternative.

You can enjoy all these fantastic amenities at Holiday Inn Express for $140 per night.

Budget: Best Western Pahrump Oasis (Pahrump)

The Best Western Pahrump Oasis is the place to be for the ultimate luxury stay on a budget. Not one but two lovely pools bless this hotel, and the complimentary breakfast serves everything from cereals to fruit.

The rooms have a lifesaving coffee station and a large TV with satellite, so you can unwind after a long day. There are also some lovely downtown Pahrump attractions like the Ian Deutch Memorial Park and the Mountain Falls Golf Club.

Rooms will cost you $98 per night, which is very reasonable considering Pahrump’s proximity to Death Valley National Park.

Budget: Delight’s Hot Springs Resort (Tecopa)

You’ll find Delight’s Hot Springs Resort, slightly south of Death Valley National Park. What makes this accommodation so unique are the lovely hot springs hidden throughout the property.

The rooms are basic, with air-conditioning and kitchenettes. The poolside areas are lovely, and BBQ facilities are outside these lovely Death Valley cabins. There are also some great activities nearby, with the South Nopah Range Wilderness Area around the corner.

You can stay in a room for as little as $89 per night, making this one of the best Death Valley resorts for a budget-friendly vacation.

Where to Stay Near Death Valley: West Side

Death Valley National Park hotels to the west are much more scarce than on the park’s eastern side. You can find the closest accommodation in Ridgecrest, which is 62 miles from the nearest park entrance.

Mid Range: Heritage Inn & Suites (Ridgecrest)

With rooms circling a large pool and hot tub, the Heritage Inn is a great western Death Valley option. It’s roughly an hour and twenty minutes from the park entrance and provides spacious, light rooms with free WiFi.

It has an on-site restaurant offering freshly made breakfasts, but Del Taco is an excellent choice if you want something else. There’s also a fitness center if you intend to work out while on vacation.

With attractions like Petroglyph Park less than 5 minutes away, the $116 per night price tag is very reasonable.

Budget: Quality Inn Lone Pine Near Mount Whitney (Lone Pine)

If you want a more personal stay, the Quality Inn in Lone Pine is an excellent option 150 miles from Death Valley. The complimentary breakfasts served here are fit for a king, with waffles, coffee, fruits, and cereals available.

The best feature of the lodging is the heated pool and large sun deck that offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The rooms are comfortable, and all have a calming cream and white color palette.

Although it’s a fair drive from Death Valley National Park, the best route to drive to the park is along Highway 190. It will take two hours to complete the drive, but it’s a lovely scenic route. Prices per room also start at an affordable $98 per night.

Best Camping in Death Valley National Park

There are 12 campgrounds you can stay at during a Death Valley road trip. But for the purpose of variety, there’s one glamping option and the two best campgrounds in the park on this list.

Luxury: Tarantula Ranch Vineyard (Amargosa Valley)

If you want the thrill of camping but a bit more comfort, stay at the Tarantula Ranch Vineyard, only 37 miles from the park. The campsite provides mesmerizing views of Amargosa Valley and is only a 20-minute drive from Death Valley Junction.

The tents come fully kitted with luxury beds and free WiFi. You also have access to a communal kitchen, but the only downside is that the bathrooms are also shared. Aside from this, you can also bring your own tent, and there’s also an RV Park on-site.

You can camp in style at the Tarantula Ranch Vineyard for a reasonable $98 per night.

Mid-Range: Furnace Creek Campground (Furnace Creek)

The Furnace Creek Campground couldn’t be better placed, as it’s right by the visitor center and some iconic Death Valley sights. Prices range from around $22 per night for a nonelectric site to $36 per night for a standard electric campsite.

You can also reserve a campsite, which is essential as the camp fills up quickly. The site has communal toilets, fire pits, and BBQ facilities. It’s also only 18 miles from Death Valley Junction, where you can get supplies for a long weekend.

Budget: Mesquite Spring Campground

For some time in the northern parts of Death Valley, stay at one of the 40 sites at Mesquite Spring Campground. There aren’t any picnic tables on-site, but the fire pits and RV Park-friendly areas make this a wonderful rustic option.

There’s no electricity out here, but with prices starting at $14 per night, it’s a fantastic stop-by location when traveling through the park. There are also famous landmarks nearby, like the Ubehebe Crater, which is only 8 miles from the campsite.

Final Thoughts on Where To Stay in Death Valley National Park

As you can see, where to stay in Death Valley National Park is a fairly tough choice with plenty of options. But with this guide that caters to every budget, you’ll be able to enjoy a blissful journey through this one-of-a-kind park.

California is a state with varying landscapes and loads of photo potential – just have a look at Death Valley. So, if you’re planning a California road trip and need more inspiration, read about the best glamping spots in Joshua Tree.

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