On my June trip, I spent 3 nights in Mammoth, 3 nights in the backcountry and 3 nights at Norris. It was a bit of a last minute trip so we made due with what we could get. However… I always want to make sure I’m choosing the best option. So while we were touring around the park, I checked out most of the other campgrounds to see which campgrounds were awesome… and which were not.

I’ve put together a truly MASSIVE guide to camping in Yellowstone for you, updated for the 2025 season. It’s got literally everything you need to know including:

• How to make reservations for camping in Yelllowstone
• My recommendations for the best campgrounds in Yellowstone
• A detailed breakdown of what you’ll find at each of Yellowstone’s 12 campgrounds
• A complete list of all the campgrounds outside Yellowstone
• Rules and tips for camping in Yellowstone

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

WANT MORE YELLOWSTONE INFO?  Check out these posts:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

How to Make Camping Reservations in Yellowstone

There are three main types of campgrounds in Yellowstone: National Park-run campgrounds, privately-run Yellowstone National Park Lodges campgrounds, and backcountry campgrounds. You can drive up to the first two types but you’ll need to walk, paddle or ride a horse into the backcountry.

The reservation process for each type is different.

Yellowstone National Park-Run Reservable Campgrounds

These campgrounds are rustic – they don’t have showers and some do not have flush toilets. Scroll down for details about each campground.

A few years ago, all of these campgrounds were first-come, first-served. However, since 2023, all campgrounds run by Yellowstone National Park have been reservable.

You can make reservations on Recreation.gov. You can make a reservation exactly six months in advance of the date you want to camp. So if you want to camp on July 15, the earliest you can make a reservation is January 15.

If your dates are sold out, keep checking back. They do get last minute cancellations and sites open up again.

As well, some campgrounds have a handful of first-come, first-served sites. Some campground also have sites that can be booked two weeks in advance.

If you don’t get a reservation, don’t worry – you can use an app like Campnab to automatically scan the booking site, then send you a text or email when a site becomes available to book. Learn more about how these apps work in my guide to camping cancellation apps.

Yellowstone National Park-run campgrounds are:

• Indian Creek Campground (closed in 2025)
• Lewis Lake Campground
• Mammoth Campground
• Norris Campground (closed in 2025)
• Pebble Creek Campground (closed in 2025)
• Slough Creek Campground
• Tower Fall Campground

Yellowstone National Park Lodges Privately-Run Campgrounds

The Yellowstone National Parks Lodges campgrounds are run by a park concessionaire. They are not run by the parks service. These campgrounds are huge, with hundreds of sites. They all have flush toilets and RV-friendly sites and some have showers. Scroll down for details about each campground.

You can make reservations on the Yellowstone National Park Lodges website. They get fully booked up for the summer months in advance, so make a reservation as early as you can. (The earliest you can book is 13 months before your trip, starting on the 5th of the month. So if you want to book July 20, 2024, you can book starting on July 5, 2023.)

If your dates are sold out, keep checking back. They do get last minute cancellations and sites open up again.

If you don’t get a reservation, don’t worry – you can use an app like Campnab to automatically scan the booking site, then send you a text or email when a site becomes available to book. Learn more about how these apps work in my guide to camping cancellation apps.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges-run campgrounds are:

• Bridge Bay Campground
• Canyon Campground
• Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Grant Village Campground
• Madison Campground

First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds in Yellowstone.

In previous years, many campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park did not accept reservations – they were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting in 2022, all camping is Yellowstone National Park is reserveable.

However starting, the Yellowstone National Park campgrounds have “secondary release” sites that are reserveable two weeks in advance. This makes last-minute camping possible.

• Indian Creek Campground – 20% of sites are available to reserve 2 weeks in advance – Note closed in 2025
• Lewis Lake Campground – 20% of sites are available to reserve 2 weeks in advance.

Another way to get last-minute camping is to hope some doesn’t show up or checks out early. If this happens, their site may become available. Check with the campground host at each campground to see if they have any sites available. Go early in the morning (before 8 a.m.) for the best chance of getting a spot.

Backcountry Campgrounds in Yellowstone

There are over 300 backcountry campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park that you can reach by foot, horseback or boat. Some of them are less than a mile from the road, while others are a LOT further.

I stayed at three of them along the Yellowstone River Trail during my trip to Yellowstone, and they were all pretty gorgeous.

However, info on backpacking in Yellowstone is outside the scope of this campground guide, so I won’t get into details. If you want more info, see the Backcountry Camping page on the Yellowstone National Park website.

Which Yellowstone Campground Should You Stay At?

That’s a tough question to answer. It really depends on what you are looking for in a campground. As well, Yellowstone is a REALLY big park so many attractions are hours apart. It might make sense to stay in one campground for a night or two, then move to another one to be close to other sights.

On my visit we stayed at Mammoth for three nights, then at Norris for three nights. I also visited most of the campgrounds just to see if we might want to consider trying to get a site there.

Here’s my campground-by-campground breakdown of each of the places to camp in Yellowstone National Park. I’ve got all the info on each campground so you can decide for yourself which Yellowstone campground is the best.

However, if you need some recommendations for the best campgrounds in Yellowstone, here are mine:

Most central campground: Norris (closed in 2025)

Best campground with showers: Canyon Village

Best Yellowstone campground for wildlife watching: Slough Creek

Best campground for RVs: Fishing Bridge

Details for Every Yellowstone Campground

Mammoth: $25/night, 85 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Mammoth Hot Springs, reserve via Recreation.gov

Indian Creek: Closed in 2025 – $20/night, 70 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Mammoth Hot Springs, reserve via Recreation.gov

Norris: Closed in 2025 – $25/night, 111 sites, flush toilets, no showers, near Norris Geyser basin, reserve via Recreation.gov

Madison: $33/night, 276 sites, flush toilets, no showers, near Old Faithful, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Grant Village: $39/night, 430 sites, flush toilets, showers, near West Thumb Geyser Basin, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Lewis Lake: $20/night, 85 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near West Thumb Geyser Basin, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Bridge Bay: $33/night, 432 sites, flush toilets, no showers, near Yellowstone Lake, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Fishing Bridge RV Park: $89/night, 310 sites (RVs only), flush toilets, showers, near Yellowstone Lake, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Canyon: $39/night, 273 sites, flush toilets, showers, near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Tower Fall: $20/night, 31 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Tower Fall, reserve via Recreation.gov

Slough Creek: $20/night, 16 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Lamar Valley, reserve via Recreation.gov

Pebble Creek: Closed in 2025 – $20/night, 27 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Lamar Valley, reserve via Recreation.gov

Yellowstone Campground Map

Want to know where to find every single campground in Yellowstone? I made this custom Google map for you. It shows all the campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park as well as key attractions and places to buy groceries.

Mammoth Campground

Open: Year-round (part of the campground is closed from mid-October to the end of March)

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $25/night

Sites: 85 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit a max combined length of 40′ and a few will fit max 75′ combined length. Max 30′ in winter. Sites are pull-through or back-in and there may be limited width for slid-outs. Sites may not be level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6200 ft (1890m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell phone reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.)

Nearest Grocery Stores: Mammoth town, Gardiner, MT

Location: Mammoth Campground is in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park, just a few minutes from the north entrance at Gardiner, Montana. 

Pros: It’s a good place to base for a night or two to see the sights in the northern part of Yellowstone. It’s easy to drive to Gardiner for groceries or a dinner out.

The Mammoth area is very popular with elk, especially in the spring. You may even see elk in the campground. On my visit, there were protective elk mamas with calves hanging around. We had to give them a wide berth. 

This campground used to have a fair amount of road noise, but since the entrance road was rerouted away from the campground after the 2022 floods, it is now quite quiet.

Cons: The campground is in an open sagebrush environment with few trees. Some sites don’t have much shade and it’s pretty hard to string up a tarp in wet weather.

Indian Creek Campground

NOTE: Indian Creek Campground is closed for the 2025 season due to road repairs in the area.

Open: Mid-June to early September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 70 total.

RVs: 10 sites with 35′  combined length. 35 sites with 30′ combined length. Sites are pull-through or back-in and there may be limited width for slid-outs. Sites may not be level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7300 ft (2225m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No generators allowed. no cell reception. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.)

Nearest Grocery Stores: Mammoth town, Gardiner, MT

Location: Indian Creek Campground is south of Mammoth, but higher up in the mountains. From Indian Creek, it’s a 20-minute drive to Mammoth Hot Springs. 

Pros: Indian Creek is a rustic campground so it’s great if you want a more natural experience. The no generator rule and the location away from the main road also makes it nice and quiet. It also is usually one of the last campgrounds to fill up.

There is lots of tree cover at this campground, which is good for shade or stringing up a tarp on wet days.

Cons: There isn’t anything to do nearby. There are a few backcountry hiking trails in the vicinity, but unless you’re a hardcore hiker, you’ll need to drive a good distance to get to any of the sights from Indian Creek. 

Norris Campground

NOTE: Norris Campground is closed in 2025 and for the foreseeable future due to washed out roads. Yellowstone National Park has actually removed Norris from its website for this reason.

Open: Mid-May to late September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $25/night

Sites: 111 total, including some walk-in sites.

RVs: 2 sites with 50′ combined length and 5 sites with 30′ combined length. Sites are pull-through or back-in and there may be limited width for slid-outs. Sites may not be level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,500 feet (2286 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale. No cell reception. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at Canyon Village)

Nearest Grocery Store: Canyon Village General Store

Location: Norris Campground has a good central location on the western side of the park. It’s about 35 minutes to Mammoth, 25 minutes to Canyon Village, 55 minutes to Old Faithful and 55 minutes to Yellowstone Lake.

Pros: Norris is really central. It’s easy to see the whole park from here since most attractions are less than an hour drive. The only thing that is further is the Lamar Valley. The campground is located along the banks of a creek, which is really pretty. If possible, get a site in loop A or a walk-in for the best views. Bison often hang out in the area, so you might be able to spot them grazing without leaving your campsite. There is also a 1-mile trail directly from the campground to Norris Geyser Basin so you don’t have to deal with finding a parking spot there.

Cons: Norris is really popular and can fill early. As well, some of the sites are really close together (especially the walk-in sites), so they don’t feel that private.

READ NEXT: Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

Madison Campground

Open: Early May to mid-October

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $33/night + tax.

Sites: 276 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,800 feet (2073 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, dump station. No cell reception, no showers. (Closest pay showers are at the Old Faithful Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: West Yellowstone, MT

Location: Madison Campground is just 25 minutes from the west entrance of the park. It’s also only about 30 minutes to Old Faithful. It’s about an hour to Mammoth, an hour to Yellowstone Lake and 45 minutes to Canyon Village.

Pros: Camping at Madison puts you within an easy drive of all the major geyser basins on the west side of the park. It’s also not that far from Mammoth, Canyon Village or Yellowstone Lake. And if you need a bit of civilization, its easy to drive out of the park to West Yellowstone to get dinner at a restaurant. The campsites are also near the Madison River, which is good for fishing.

Cons: There’s not too much to do nearby. There are a few hiking trails (Harlequin Lake and Purple Mountain), but otherwise, you’ll have to drive everywhere from your site. Loops G and H (for tents only) are the quietest. The rest can get a lot of road noise from the highway to West Yellowstone. As well, since the campground has hundreds of sites, it can feel crowded as the sites are close together. 

Grant Village Campground

Open: Early June to mid-September

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $39/night + tax

Sites: 430 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, two free showers a night, dump station.

Nearest Grocery Store: Grant Village

Location: Grant Village Campground is situated on the west shore of Yellowstone Lake. It’s part of the large Grant Village community that includes a visitor centre, hotel, grocery store, marina, restaurant, and gas station. West Thumb Geyer Basin is a 5-minute drive. It’s also about 40 minutes to Old Faithful.

Pros: You can walk over to Grant Village from your campsite to check out the visitor centre, buy groceries or go to the restaurant. If you are into boating, the location on Yellowstone Lake is great. Grant Village is also an easy drive to Old Faithful. If you get a spot towards the end of loops E, G, H, or on the north side of I, you’ll be really close to Yellowstone Lake

Cons: Loops J, K, L and get road noise from the highway south to Grand Teton National Park. The sites are small and close together, without too much privacy. Being located in the south of the park means this campground is a far drive from many attractions.

Lewis Lake Campground

Open: Late June to late October

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 85 total including some walk-in sites.

RVs: Some sites fit RVs 25′ combined length or less. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No cell reception. No generators allowed. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at Grant Village.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Grant Village

Location: Lewis Lake Campground is on the shores of Lewis Lake in the southern part of Yellowstone. It’s a quiet part of the park, but Grant Village is only 20 minutes away. It’s a longer drive to the rest of the park.

Pros: Lewis Lake is popular with boaters. It’s also the gateway to the backcountry of Shoshone Lake, which is only open to canoes and kayaks. The campground is rustic with no generators and pit toilets, so it’s great if you want a more natural experience. It also tends to fill up later than other campgrounds.

Cons: This is the southern-most campground in the park. That makes it the farthest away from most attractions. 

READ NEXT: 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Bridge Bay Campground

Open: Mid-May to early-September

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $33/night + tax.

Sites: 432 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, dump station. No showers. (Closest pay showers at Grant Village and Fishing Bridge RV Park.) 

Nearest Grocery Store: Lake Village, Fishing Bridge

Location: Bridge Bay campground is located on the northern part of Yellowstone Lake in the southern part of the park. The Bridge Bay Marina is right next door. It’s a short drive to Canyon Village and West Thumb Geyser Basin, but other sights are much further away.

Pros: This is a good campsite to choose if you brought a boat since the marina is nearby. It’s a short drive to Lake Village and Grant Village if you need groceries or want to eat at a restaurant. And you can hike the popular Natural Bridge Trail right from your campsite.

Cons: Many of the campsites are very close together with no privacy since there aren’t many trees. As well, some people have complained that the tent sites are not very level.  Being located in the south of the park means this campground is a far drive from many attractions.

Fishing Bridge RV Park

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $89/night + tax and utility fees

Sites: 310 total for hard-sided RVs only. No tents. No tent-trailers.

RVs: Sites are 30-95′ long. Most sites are pull-through. 30′, 35′ and 40′ sites are back-in and some allow for side-by-side parking of truck and unhooked trainer. Full hookups for electricity, water, and sewer (50 or 30 amp).

Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, pay showers, full hookups, dump station. No campfires allowed.

Nearest Grocery Store: Lake Village, Fishing Bridge

Location: Fishing Bridge RV Park is at the north end of Yellowstone Lake. It’s close to the Fishing Bridge over the Yellowstone River and a general store. Lake Village is a short drive away. It’s a short drive to Canyon Village and West Thumb Geyser Basin, but other sights are much further away.

Pros: If you camp in an RV and want full hook-ups, this is your only option for that in Yellowstone National Park. The campground got a complete renovation (finished in 2022) with larger sites, bigger parking lot, new dump station, more showers and laundry, and updated comfort stations.

Cons: The campground is set up like a traditional RV Park with rigs parked very close together. The hard-sided RV requirement is because grizzly bears frequent the campground. You aren’t allowed to have a campfire at these sites, which is a bummer on cold nights.

Canyon Campground

Open: Late-May to mid-September

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $39/night + tax

Sites: 273 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long in pull-through and back-in sites. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,900 feet (2408 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, two free showers a night dump station.

Nearest Grocery Store: Canyon Village.

Location: Canyon campground is located in Canyon Village near the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It’s a pretty central location on the east side of the park.

Pros: Canyon Village is within walking distance of the campground and it has a grocery store and restaurants. The campground is away from the village and the main road so it is quiet. If you don’t want to worry about parking on the canyon rim, you can follow a trail one mile from the campground through the cabins to the North Rim.

Cons: The sites are small and close together. As well, people complain that some of the sites aren’t very flat.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor

Tower Fall Campground

Open: Late May to late September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 31 total.

RVs: Best for rigs 30′ combined length or less due to a hairpin curve. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,600 feet (2012 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets, amphitheater with ranger programs. No cell reception, no showers, no generators allowed. (Closest pay showers are at Roosevelt Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Tower Fall

Location: Tower Fall campground is located across the road from Tower Fall in the northern part of Yellowstone. It’s a 10-minute drive away from Tower Junction and the Roosevelt Lodge.

Pros: It’s a small campground so it won’t feel crowded. You can walk to Tower Fall from your campsite. If you want a restaurant meal, the Roosevelt Lodge is a short drive away.

Cons: The sites are smaller so they are better for tents, not RVs (although shorter RVs are permitted.)

Slough Creek Campground

Open: Mid-June to mid-October

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 16 total.

RVs: 14 sites fit rigs up to 30′. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,250 feet (1905 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No cell reception, no showers. (Closest pay showers are at Roosevelt Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Tower Fall

Location: Slough Creek is located on a gravel road in the northeast part of Yellowstone. It is in the Lamar Valley, one of the park’s best wildlife watching destinations. Since it’s the remote northeast of the park, it’s not near any of the other attractions.

Pros: There is a wolf den nearby so this is the best place in the park to try to spot a wolf. Bison, bears, pronghorn, and elk are also common. It’s a small and quiet campground with a wilderness feel. 

Cons: RVs won’t really fit in this campground. (Although very small rigs may fit.) This campground is a long drive from the rest of the park and frequent bison jams can make the drive even longer.

Pebble Creek Campground

NOTE: Pebble Creek Campground is closed in 2025 due to flood recovery work.

Open: Mid-June to late September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 27

RVs: Some sites have long pull-throughs that will accommodate RVs. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,900 feet (2103 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No cell reception, no showers. (Closest pay showers are at Roosevelt Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Tower Fall, Cooke City

Location: Pebble Creek Campground is in the northeast corner of Yellowstone at the foot of the Absaroka Mountains. It’s a 20-minute drive to Cooke City, MT on the eastern edge of the park. Otherwise, it’s not near anything else in the park.

Pros: Pebble Creek is a small and quiet campground with a wilderness feel. There’s a pretty little creek right in the middle of the campground. Nearby Soda Butte Creek is popular with anglers. It’s also close to the wildlife mecca of the Lamar Valley.

Cons: It’s a LONG drive to the rest of the park.

Campgrounds Outside Yellowstone National Park

If you can’t get a campsite inside the park, you aren’t out of camping options. There are first-come, first-served campgrounds in the National Forests outside Yellowstone. There are also RV parks in some of the nearby towns. I haven’t visited any of these, so I can’t give you any recommendations.

But here’s the list of all the campgrounds near Yellowstone I know of, sorted by which park entrance they are closest to:

North Entrance:

• Eagle Creek Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (reserveable)
• Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North (reserveable)
• Yellowstone RV Park (reserveable)

Northeast Entrance

• Soda Butte Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)
• Colter Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)
• Chief Joseph Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)

East Entrance:

• Threemile Campground, Shoshone National Forest (reserveable)
• Eagle Creek Campground, Shoshone National Forest (first-come, first-served)

West Entrance:

• Yellowstone Cabins and RV Park (reserveable)
• Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins (reserveable)
• Wagon Wheel RV Cabin Campground (reserveable)
• Yellowstone Park West Gate KOA (reserveable)
• Buffalo Crossing RV Park (reserveable)
• Baker’s Hole Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)

South Entrance:

• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch (reserveable)
• Lizard Creek Campground, Grand Teton National Park (reserveable)

Yellowstone Campground Rules and Tips

In most ways, camping in Yellowstone is a lot like camping in any other National Park. Except for the bears… and a few other things. Here are some tips and rules you need to know about camping in Yellowstone.

And to get you in the camping mood (and help give you a better idea about what campsites look like in Yellowstone) here’s a somewhat cheesy National Parks video about camping in Yellowstone.

Campfires in Yellowstone

Each campsite at all campgrounds except Fishing Bridge RV Park has a fire ring. However, there may be seasonal fire-bans during dry summers when the fire danger is high.

You can buy firewood at some campgrounds. Keep in mind that the firewood kiosk may only be only open in the evening from 6 to 8 pm. You can also buy firewood at most stores and gas stations in the park.

Drinking Water at Yellowstone Campgrounds

There are water taps in all campgrounds in the park. It’s fresh mountain water and is safe to drink. You can fill up there or water bottle refill stations at visitor centres. There’s no need to bring wasteful and expensive bottled water!

Group Size at Yellowstone Campgrounds

You are only allowed to have six people per campsite. If you have more than that, you’ll need more campsites.

RVs in Yellowstone

Most campgrounds in Yellowstone accept RVs. RVs are welcome at all of the campgrounds. Just make sure you book a spot that is big enough to accommodate your rig – many won’t fit longer RVs and have maximum length restrictions. Check site details when making a reservation.

Bear Safety in Yellowstone

All of Yellowstone’s campgrounds have strict bear safety rules. You’ll get an info sheet about it when you check in to your campsite, and maybe a mini-lecture too! The reality is that bears walk through all the campgrounds.

To ensure the safety of campers and bears, you have to protect all your food and smelly stuff. Of course, bears (and other critters) are interested in your food, but they might also like your dishes, pots, stove, drinks, cooler, pet food, garbage, and toiletries. 

Unless you are actively using them, you need to put those items away. You can’t leave them sitting out in your campsite or store them in your tent. You can put them in your car or you can store them in the bear-proof storage box.

The bear-proof storage boxes are large metal lockers big enough to store a few large coolers. In most campgrounds, you’ll get your own, but in some of the reservable campgrounds, you will need to share them between 2 or 3 campsites.

If a ranger or campground host finds unattended food or smelly items in your campground, you could get a fine or a ticket. They will also put your gear away for you. We saw that happen to three different groups during our trip! For more tips, read my post about bear safety for campers and hikers.

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Camping With Dogs in Yellowstone National Park

Dogs are allowed in Yellowstone National Park and at campgrounds, but there are quite a few restrictions. They must be in a car, in a crate, or on a leash that is less than six feet long.

Dogs are allowed on leash within 100 feet of roads, parking lots, and campgrounds. Dogs are not allowed on hiking trails or boardwalks. You are not allowed to leave your dog unattended in a car or tied to an object.

What to Pack for Camping in Yellowstone National Park

All of Yellowstone’s campgrounds are above 6000 feet so it can get cold at night. As well, it can rain at any time in the mountains. Make sure you’re prepared. For my recommendations on what to bring camping, see my Yellowstone Packing Lists. 

READ NEXT: How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

Final Thoughts

So that’s everything you need to know about camping in Yellowstone. I know you’re going to have an AWESOME trip! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section. I’ll be happy to answer!

READ NEXT:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
• The Best Camping Cancellation Apps
• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
• How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

The post Camping in Yellowstone in 2025: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I recently spent a week in Moab and did a ton of hiking. As a long-time hiker and guidebook author, I’m used to tackling long and difficult hikes. But on this trip I was recovering from an injury so I focused on short and easy trails that would be kind to my body.

I was worried that the easier hikes wouldn’t be as good… but I was so wrong! We saw incredible scenery every day from arches to canyons to rock formations. We also visited must-sees like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.

Now that I’m back from my trip, I’ve put together my list of the 15 best easy hikes in Moab for you. While all of these hikes are on the easier side, some of them are harder than others. I’ve rated them either “super-easy“, “easy” or “moderate” so you know what to expect.

Most of the hikes take less than 1 hour, but a few take up to 3 hours. In general, these trails aren’t too steep – most climb less than 100 feet. But a few have more hills. Some also contain slickrock sections, stairs, ladders, and ledges that some people will find challenging.

This guide to short hikes in Moab includes:

• Quick picks – my top 4 easy Moab hikes
• Moab hiking map that shows the location of every trailhead
• Hikes in Arches National Park
• Hikes in Canyonlands National Park
• More hikes near Moab
• Moab hiking tips including fees, reservations, weather, dogs, and more

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Easy Hikes in Moab Quick Picks

Best Easy Hike to an Arch: Double Arch

Best Easy Hike to a Canyon Viewpoint: Grand View Point

Best Super-Short Easy Hike: Balanced Rock

Best Longer Easy Hike: Corona Arch

Moab Hiking Maps

All of the hikes on this list are easy to follow with lots of signs and trail markers. But using a hiking app like Gaia GPS or AllTrails+ can help if you’re worried about getting off track.

If you want a paper map, we bought the Classic Moab Trails Recreation Topo Map which shows tons of hiking, biking, and OHV trails.

I also made a custom Google Map for you that shows the locations for the start of all the easy hikes in Moab. But don’t use Google Maps once you are on the trails – in some places, there is no cell service and Google doesn’t have all the trail details anyway.

Easy Hikes in Arches National Park

One of the main places to hike near Moab is Arches National Park. You’ll find lots of easy hikes there.

• Entry Fees: Entry to the park costs $30 per vehicle and is good for one week. Annual passes are also available.
• Reservations: Between April 1 and October 31 visitors entering the park between 7 am and 4 pm need to make a reservation for a timed entry ticket. (You don’t need a reservation at other times.)

Park Avenue Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 322 feet

This trail starts at the paved Park Avenue viewpoint platform. From there, it goes down a set of stairs and follows a wide canyon between tall rock towers… kind of like walking down Park Avenue in New York!

The trail heads downhill to the Courthouse Towers viewpoint, which means the way back is entirely uphill so save your energy for that.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Park Avenue trailhead.

Balanced Rock

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 15 minutes

Distance: 0.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 35 ft

Balanced Rock seems to defy gravity. When you see it from the road it looks precarious, but it isn’t until you walk the short loop trail around the base that you really understand how crazy it is that it’s still standing. The hike is short and easy, but worthwhile.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Balanced Rock trailhead.

Windows Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Distance: 1 mile loop

Elevation Gain: 99 ft

This short and easy trail has a great payoff – these are some of the most spectacular arches in the park. It’s a loop hike that starts and ends with a few stairs. I recommend going counterclockwise. On this route, you will start at Turret Arch. Next, you will visit South Window and North Window.

Since this hike is so short, you can do Double Arch at the same time – it starts from the other side of the parking lot.

Pro tip: This is a great place for a sunset hike since the North Window frames the setting sun.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Windows trailhead.

Double Arch

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 20 minutes

Distance: 0.6 mi round-trip

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Double Arch was one of my favourite arches – it’s two arches stretching across the same alcove. It’s also the tallest arch in the park at 112 ft. The hike to Double Arch is one of the easiest trails in Moab.

You can see the arch from the parking lot, but you will still want to follow the path downhill to get closer. There is a great view from the base but you can also scramble up into the arch.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Double Arch trailhead.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 to 45 minutes

Distance: 0.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 171 feet

This trail is the easiest way to see the famous Delicate Arch. But to be clear, this trail does not take you TO Delicate Arch (info on that trail is below). Instead, this trail takes you to two different viewpoints where you can see Delicate Arch.

The first viewpoint is only 100 feet from the parking lot and is wheelchair accessible. It’s worth continuing up a hill to the Upper Viewpoint where you can look across a deep canyon to Delicate Arch a mile away.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint trailhead. Note that this is a different parking lot than the Delicate Arch parking lot.

Delicate Arch

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours

Distance: 3 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 538 feet

Fair warning: This trail isn’t easy – it’s the hardest trail on my list. However, since it is the most popular trail in Arches National Park and most hikers (even beginners) are determined to visit it, I included it on my list.

If you bring lots of water, avoid hot weather, and go slow, this hike is doable for most people with reasonable fitness. There are lots of unprepared hikers on this trail and unfortunately, lots of rescues (especially when it’s hot out). If you aren’t sure about your ability to complete this trail, go to Delicate Arch Viewpoint instead.

The first few minutes of the trail are flat (don’t miss the detour to the petroglyph panel here), but the rest is a fairly relentless climb up a steep rock. At the end, you’ll have to walk along a wide ledge with a sharp drop-off. People who have a fear of heights may not like this trail.

You won’t get to see Delicate Arch until the very end, which is frustrating as you climb, but it makes it even more special when you finally arrive.

Pro tip: This is a popular spot for sunrise and sunset. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise. You won’t see the sunset, but it does light up the rock – the arch turns red!

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Delicate Arch trailhead.

Sand Dune Arch

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 15 minutes

Distance: 0.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 0 feet

Sand Dune Arch is a short and easy walk from the parking lot. Although the hike is short, there are patches of deep sand, so it takes a little longer than you might think. You won’t see the arch until you get there since it is tucked away in steep rock fins.

Since this hike is so short, it’s worth combining it with the hike to Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch (below). They share a parking lot.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Sand Dune Arch trailhead.

Broken and Tapestry Arches

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes

Distance: 1.2 to 2.4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 59 to 150 feet

Broken Arch isn’t actually broken – but it does have a big crack in it that shows where it will break eventually! The trail to Broken Arch and Tapestry Arch starts at the same parking lot as Sand Dune Arch. You have a few route options. The shortest choice is to hike out and back to Broken Arch.

If you want to extend your hike, you can hike the Broken Arch Loop past Broken Arch. It includes a side trip to Tapestry Arch (one of my favourite secluded arches). Watch for markers carefully on the Tapestry Arch trail as it is less travelled.

If you are camping in Arches National Park, this is a great trail to do right from your campsite since the Broken Arch Loop goes through the campground. We did it after dinner and had it almost to ourselves.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Broken Arch trailhead. (It’s the same trailhead as for Sand Dune Arch.)

Landscape Arch

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 to 60 minutes

Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 40 feet

At 306 feet across, Landscape Arch is the longest arch in North America. Until you see it in person, it’s really hard to understand just how huge it is. Photos really don’t do it justice.

Landscape Arch is located in the Devil’s Garden section of Arches National Park. Hiking the entire Devil’s Garden Trail is very challenging, but you can just do the easy first section up to Landscape Arch.

The trail winds between towering rock fins. Near the beginning, take a quick side trip to the right to visit Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. Once you reach Landscape Arch be sure to explore the various viewpoints – but stay behind the barriers as pieces of the arch can fall at any time!

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Landscape Arch trailhead.

Easy Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is close to Moab and offers lots of great easy hikes. (The other districts are a few hours’ drive away.)

• Entry Fees: Entry to the park costs $30 per vehicle and is good for one week. Annual passes are also available.
• Reservations not required: While reservations are required at some times of the year at Arches National Park, you do not need a timed entry reservation for Canyonlands. The park is open 24/7 to anyone.

Mesa Arch

Difficulty: Super-easy

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Distance: 0.6 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 56 feet

While the arches in Arches National Park bridge gaps between rock fins, the ones in Canyonlands National Park perch on the ends of big drops. Mesa Arch sits at the edge of the Colorado River canyon. It’s a short and easy loop hike, but it does require walking up and down a rocky hill with some uneven stairs.

When you look through the arch you can see the White Rim and canyon bottom far below. You can also use the arch to frame rock pinnacles and the distant La Sal Mountains. It’s a popular sunrise spot, especially for photographers, since the sun shines under the arch.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Mesa Arch trailhead.

Upheaval Dome Overlook

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

The hike to the Upheaval Dome Overlook is short but steep with lots of stairs. At the top, you can look down on the collapsed dome. There are also info displays explaining two possible scientific theories for how the dome formed: A meteorite impact or a salt dome.

You can also hike a little further to the Second Overlook. This adds 1 mile and 50 feet of elevation gain.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Upheaval Dome Overlook trailhead.

Grand View Point

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 to 1.5 hours

Distance: 1.8 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 73 feet

You can get a great view of the canyons of the Colorado and Green Rivers from the paved platform by the parking lot at Grand View Point. But walking the Grand View Point trail will give you an even better perspective.

The trail follows the edge of the cliff but stays far enough back that even people with a fear of heights won’t mind it. It has by far the best views in the Island in the Sky district. You can see The Maze and The Needles far across the canyon. Stunning.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Grand View Point trailhead.

Other Easy Hikes in Moab

There are lots of other easy hikes near Moab on BLM land or in state parks.

Mill Creek Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Time Needed: 1 hour

Distance: 1.6 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 59 feet

Mill Creek is a great hike for a hot day. The trail follows the Mill Creek canyon upstream to a small pool below a waterfall where you can swim.

Within a few minutes of the parking lot, the trail passes an old dam and a few small pools. But continue onwards up the canyon. The trail crosses the stream multiple times so be prepared to get your feet wet. Hiking sandals are a good idea.

Your turn-around point is a pool and waterfall about 30 minutes from the trailhead. If you have more time and good route-finding skills, you can follow the trail above the waterfall up the canyon for about 3 more miles.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Mill Creek trailhead.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Time Needed: 45 minutes to 3.5 hours

Distance: 1.2 to 6.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 65 to 630 feet

Dead Horse Point State Park occupies a spectacular mesa top with incredible views. A network of trails snakes around the edge of the mesa and gives you incredible views from the cliff tops. I actually enjoyed the views from here better than most places in Canyonlands National Park.

You have two choices for hikes: The shorter option is to do an easy 1.2-mile loop from the main viewpoint, around to the neck where you cross the road, then follow the trail on the other side back to the viewpoint.

But if you have more time, the longer 6.1-mile loop leads around the south end of the park from the viewpoint to the visitor center, then back to the viewpoint. Be sure to follow the signed side trails to great viewpoints. While the loop is long, it’s never very steep.

Heads up: Utah Parks charges $20 per vehicle per day to enter the park. Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Dead Horse State Park trailhead.

Corona Arch

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 2 to 3 hours

Distance: 2.3 to 3.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 462 to 765 feet

Corona Arch is a great short hike near Moab that leads to a spectacular arch, nicknamed Little Rainbow Bridge. The trail climbs up above a canyon to a sandy area. At a fork, you can go left on a spur trail to Pinto Arch or continue straight toward Corona Arch. (I recommend doing Pinto Arch on the way back if you have the energy.)

From the fork, the trail climbs up over slickrock. There is one section with a chain and stairs carved out of the rock and then a ladder. But it is fairly straightforward and most people won’t struggle here. After the ladder, you’ll pass Bowtie Arch and then arrive at Corona Arch.

Here are Google Maps driving directions to the Corona Arch trailhead.

Moab Hiking Tips

Park Entry Fees

You will need to pay park entry fees for most of the easy hikes in Moab.

Arches National Park: $30 per vehicle per week

Canyonlands National Park: $30 per vehicle per week

Dead Horse State Park: $20 per vehicle per day

There are no fees to hike anywhere else in Moab outside of these parks.

Pro tip: If you plan to visit both Arches and Canyonlands Parks, you can buy a Southeast Utah Annual Pass that covers both parks and is a bit cheaper. Or you can buy an America the Beautiful Pass that covers all National Parks for a year.

National Park Reservations

Between April 1 and October 31, visitors entering Arches National Park between 7 am and 4 pm need to make a reservation for a timed entry ticket. (You don’t need a reservation at other times.)

You do NOT need reservations for Canyonlands National Park or Dead Horse Point State Park.

Weather in Moab

Moab is in the desert so it is blazing hot in the summer and chilly in the winter. In general, spring and fall are the best times to hike in Moab since the weather is just right – not too hot or too cold. It also rarely rains all-year – about 3 days a month.

The chart below has Moab’s average high and low temperatures for each month. The temperature plummets at night so the average lows are nighttime temps.

In Mob, it’s always a good idea to start your hike early in the day to beat the heat and the sun. Avoid hiking if it’s over 90°F – it can be dangerous. Every year people suffering from dehydration or heat exhaustion need to be rescued. Read my tips for hiking in hot weather before you go.

What to Bring Hiking in Moab

It’s important to stay hydrated. The National Parks Service recommends drinking 4L (one gallon) of water per person per day. It’s a lot of water, but since it’s so hot and dry here, you’ll need it. You can get water at Park Visitor Centres and campgrounds.

You also need to protect yourself from the sun. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. I also like to cover up in a long-sleeved sun hoodie. The fabric provides sun protection so I don’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen! My guide to the best sun hoodies for hiking has six great options.

And just like on any other hike, you need to bring the 10 essentials. These are key safety items you need on the trail including food, a first aid kit, etc.

If you plan to do a sunrise or sunset hike, pack a headlamp or flashlight for each person. Make sure your batteries are fully charged!

For lots more advice, check out my tips for hiking in the desert.

Hiking with Dogs in Moab

Dogs aren’t allowed on hikes in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks.

In Dead Horse Point State Park, dogs are allowed on trails but they must be on a six-foot leash.

Dogs are also allowed on leash at Corona Arch, but some dogs will struggle with the slick rock and the ladder section. You can also take your dog on the Mill Creek Trail.

Drones

Drones are not allowed in Canyonlands or Arches National Parks. In Dead Horse State Park drones are allowed from November to February by permit only. Drones are prohibited the rest of the year and are never allowed at the main Dead Horse Point viewpoint.

Stay Off the Arches

It is illegal to walk on top of the arches in Canylonands and Arches National Parks. It’s also pretty dangerous since rocks can fall at any time! In the 1990s, huge sections of Landscape Arch fell into a visitor viewing area. Thankfully no one was hurt, but now that area is closed.

Leave No Trace

Learn the Leave No Trace principles before you hike in Moab. This is a sensitive desert ecosystem. Pack out all your trash. Use toilets at trailheads before you hike. If you have to go on the trail, bring a WAG bag to pack our your poop.

One of the most important things to remember is to stay on the trail so you don’t Bust the Crust. The fragile biological soil crust here is alive and a single footstep can destroy it for decades.

Indigenous Context

The Moab area is the traditional territory of the Diné Bikéyah (Navajo), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Timpanogos. It’s important to be respectful of this land.

If you’re looking for an easy hike in Moab, you’ll find one on this list. What’s your favourite short trail in Moab? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• Tips and Tricks for Hiking in the Desert
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking
• Take an Epic Outdoors Arizona Road Trip
• 14 Best Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas

The post 15 Best Easy Hikes in Moab appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Death Valley National Park is the perfect stop to add to a Nevada or California road trip itinerary. The park is close to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Nearby Death Valley are some of Nevada and California’s famous ghost towns. And, other epic parks like Sequoia National Forest aren’t too far away. 

Dawn Outdoors contributor Erin from Pina Travels recently spent a few days in the park and wrote a comprehensive guide for you.

This guide to Death Valley National Park includes:

• A custom Death Valley National Park map that highlights all the locations in this post
• When to visit Death Valley National Park – the best time of year to go
• How long to spend in Death Valley? How many days is best?
• Death Valley fees, passes and reservations: Which ones do you need?
• How to get to Death Valley from both Las Vegas and Los Angeles
• Getting Around Death Valley: Self-driving and tours
• Where to stay in Death Valley including hotels and campgrounds
• The 10 best things to do in Death Valley National Park from hiking to scenic drives and more

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Death Valley National Park Map

Are you curious about where to find all the places I recommend in this post? I made a custom Death Valley National Park Google Map for you. Click on the map to zoom in.

When to Visit Death Valley National Park

Before we dive into the best things to do in Death Valley, it’s important to note that the best time to hike in Death Valley is from November through March. 

During spring, summer, and early fall, temperatures are so high it’s important to be extremely cautious when hiking. I visited Death Valley in early May and found it taxing to be outdoors at midday. 

If you plan to hike in Death Valley, prepare properly. Bring lots of water, wear good footwear, wear a hat, wear sunscreen, and watch yourself and others for signs of overheating. Read these tips for hiking in the desert and hiking in hot weather before you go.

I found that the best time to hike in Death Valley is early in the morning, or in the late afternoon. At these times of day, the sun is lower in the sky, which means there’s less direct sun on you. 

The good news about Death Valley? You can do a lot of fun things that don’t involve long hikes! This list covers some hikes, yes, but I’ll also cover activities that aren’t as physically demanding. 

Why is Death Valley So Hot?

Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in all of North America! The lowest region of the park, Badwater Basin, is 282 feet below sea level. 

It’s the fact that Death Valley is so low, and shaped like a big valley, that makes this park so hot. Sunlight heats the surface of the desert, and the heat radiates from the rocks. Because the park is a valley, heat settles and becomes trapped. As a result, Death Valley is famous for its record-breaking temperatures.

How Long to Spend in Death Valley National Park

There’s a lot to do in Death Valley National Park. Especially because it’s so hot, it’s difficult to fit several activities into one day. You can easily spend 4 days seeing the park’s highlights, watching epic sunsets, and hiking. 

If you’ve only got 1 or 2 days I recommend seeing the main highlights: Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Drive, Badwater Basin, and the Mesquite Flats. (More on these below!)

Death Valley National Park Fees, Passes, and Reservations

Admission to Death Valley National Park costs $30 per vehicle and is valid for one week. You can pay at park entrance kiosks or automated fee machines.

If you plan to visit more than one National Park, consider buying an America the Beautiful Pass for $80. It covers over 2000 federal recreation sites and all National Parks. It’s valid for one year.

While you need reservations to visit some popular National Parks, you do NOT need reservations to visit Death Valley. Just show up!

How to Get to Death Valley National Park 

The largest cities near Death Valley National Park are Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Las Vegas is the closest, making it a popular city to fly into to access the park. 

Psst! If you’re staying in Vegas, don’t miss our guide to Incredible Outdoor Activities Near Las Vegas!

From Las Vegas: 2-Hour Drive

Take the NV-160 through Pahrump and Death Valley Junction. Alternatively, you can take the US-95 through Indian Springs and Amargosa Valley, which takes a bit more time. 

From Los Angeles: 4.5 Hour Drive

Take Interstate 10 or 210 to Interstate 15 north to Baker, then California 127 to California 190 E into the park. The alternative option is to take California 14, then U.S. 395, then California 190 E. 

Getting Around Death Valley: Self-Drive or Tours

You will need a car to explore Death Valley National Park since there is no public transportation in the park. The easiest places to rent a car nearby are Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I use Discover Cars to search for car rentals since it compares prices across tons of different companies.

Keep in mind that many of the roads in the park are dirt with no cell phone reception or services. If you aren’t experienced in off-road driving, stick to the main park roads.

Another option is to visit Death Valley with a tour. There are lots of options leaving from Las Vegas. This five-star-rated small-group tour takes you through the park’s highlights as a day trip. Or book this full-day tour from Las Vegas that includes an incredible evening of stargazing.

Where to Stay in Death Valley

There are two options for staying within Death Valley National Park. You can camp or book a hotel. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells are the two villages within Death Valley, and it’s in these villages that you’ll find the park’s hotels and campgrounds.

Camping in Death Valley 

The two most popular campgrounds within the park are Furnace Creek and Texas Springs. Sunset, Death Valley’s largest campground, almost always has sites available, even in the busy season. Furnace Creek campground requires reservations while the others are first-come, first-served. There are also several smaller campgrounds.

It’s worth noting that most campgrounds are open from October to April only. They close in the hot months.

Hotels in Death Valley 

Now, let’s talk about hotels. There are three hotels inside Death Valley National Park:

The Ranch at Death Valley has air-conditioned rooms with hot showers, an outdoor swimming pool, a playground, a tennis court, a bar, a restaurant, and a general store. Check prices.

The Inn at Death Valley is a historic hotel that’s been in operation since 1927. This hotel has a spring-fed pool, a bar, a restaurant, a gym, and gardens to enjoy. It was renovated recently, and so it tends to be a bit more expensive than The Ranch at Death Valley. Check prices.

Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is at the northern end of Death Valley, so it’s in a less convenient location. But this is your budget option! Here you’ll find simple rooms, and lots of amenities on-site, including a Western-style saloon, restaurant, general store, and pool. Check prices.

You can also book a hotel just outside the park. The closest option is the eclectic Amargosa Opera House and Hotel in Death Valley Junction. You will also find a Best Western and a Holiday Inn Express in nearby Pahrump, about an hour from the park entrance.

Because there are so few hotels in the park, they book up quickly. Be sure to reserve your hotel in advance. 

Best Things to Do in Death Valley

Golden Canyon Trail 

The Golden Canyon trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park. It’s a 4.3-mile (6.9 km) loop trail that takes you through surreal landscapes. 

Golden Canyon is an easy to moderate trail that takes most people 2-3 hours. It starts by taking you through a beautiful canyon, Golden Canyon, and then onward to Red Cathedral, Manly Beacon, and Gower Gulch. Along the hike, you’ll see tall rock walls, narrow slots, badlands, and desert. 

This is a popular trail because it’s not too difficult (particularly if you do it at a cooler time of day), and it gives you a taste of Death Valley’s various landscapes. 

Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is one of the best lookout points in Death Valley National Park. To reach the lookout point, you’ll park in a big parking lot, and then walk about a quarter mile up a paved path that’s on an incline. 

At the top there is signage explaining what you’re seeing, and benches where you can rest. You can see the badlands as well as incredible jutting stone faces in the distance. From this viewpoint, you can really see the diversity of Death Valley’s landscapes. 

Zabriskie Point is one of the best spots in the park to watch sunrise and sunset, so it’s worth planning this stop on your itinerary as either an early morning start to the day or for when the sun goes down. 

Artists Drive

Artists Drive is a scenic 9-mile (14 km) drive that takes you through hills that are famous for their pastel hues. This is the perfect activity to do when it’s especially hot because you can take in the beautiful Death Valley views from the comfort of your air-conditioned car. 

As you drive, you’ll see hills that have shades of green, pink, red, yellow and more colours. This rainbow phenomenon on the rocks is caused by volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite.

Artist’s Drive is just off Badwater Road, south of Furnace Creek. The start of the drive is clearly marked. It’s a loop drive that brings you back out to Badwater Road. The road is well-paved and single-lane. It’s best to drive slowly, so you can really take in everything around you!

Throughout the drive, there are pull-offs with parking lots, where you can get out of your car to take a closer look at the rocks and the view.

Artist’s Palette is the most popular pull-off. From this viewpoint, you can see some of the park’s most vibrant, colorful rocks. 

Artist’s Drive takes the average person 30 minutes to an hour. It all depends on how fast you drive, and how many stops you make along the way. 

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is a massive salt flat, the lowest point in the park. At 282 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point in all of North America. 

A few thousand years ago, Badwater Basin was a big lake, about 30 feet deep. Over time, the lake evaporated, leaving a 1-5 foot layer of salt, which created the salt flat that’s there today. 

Because Badwater Basin is at such a low elevation, it’s one of the hottest parts of the park, and there’s no shade to shield you from the sun. Given this, the best time to visit Badwater Basin is at sunrise or sunset. Coming at these times means you’ll also get treated to beautiful lighting as the sun rises, or goes down. 

Due to years of visitors, the salt flat area near the parking lot has been flattened. You’ll need to walk 15-20 minutes out into the basin to reach the area where you can see the intricate salt crystals that form the cracked patterns that Badwater Basin is known for. 

Be sure to bring lots of  water out into the basin with you – I found that the salt made me very thirsty!

And, before you leave the basin, look up at the rock face opposite the parking lot. Up on the rock face is a sign that marks sea level. Seeing the sign, high up on the rock face, helps you understand how low below sea level the basin truly is. 

Natural Bridge Trail

The Natural Bridge Trail is a 1.4-mile (2.3 km) there-and-back hike through the Amargosa Mountain foothills. It takes you through a canyon, to a massive natural bridge that’s 35 feet tall. 

This is a great trail to do on a hot day because it’s easy and short. It usually takes 45 minutes – 1 hour to complete.

Before starting the trail, be sure to look at the information panel at the trailhead. It provides illustrations of the geological features that you’ll see in the canyon, making it easy to spot features like faults, chutes, and mud drippings as you hike. 

Harmony Borax Works

At Harmony Borax Works, you can explore the remains of a mining operation that dates back more than 120 years. Back in 1883, William Tell Coleman built the Harmony plant to process ore. 

Harmony Borax Works employed around 40 people to extract and produce three tons of borax every day. However, the plant didn’t last long. It was only in use for about 5 years, going out of operation in 1888. 

A short walk from the Harmony Borax Works parking lot, you can see remnants of the mining operation. You also have views of the area of the park where borax was extracted – and you can still see borax out on the plains. 

There is signage at Harmony Borax Works that explains the history of the mining operation, and how it worked. For example, miners used 20-mule teams to haul borax 165 miles to the railroad town of Mojave! 

Mosaic Canyon Trail

Mosaic Canyon Trail is a 4-mile (6.4 km) out-and-back hike. It’s considered moderately difficult because there are some areas where you need to scramble up rocks that can be quite slippery. 

The best part of this hike comes right at the beginning. You’ll walk through narrow canyon walls that are made of wavy rock, which over time has been smoothed out by flash floods.  

It’s best to do this trail first thing in the morning. For most of the trail, there’s very little sun coverage, and so doing it midday is too hot. It takes most people 2-3 hours to complete. 

If you aren’t up for a few hours of hiking, you can still stop by Mosaic Canyon Trail to walk the beginning part, which takes you through the canyon. This is a particularly beautiful part of the trail, and since it’s right at the trailhead, you can spend 30 minutes to an hour exploring just this portion. 

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes are a fascinating part of Death Valley National Park. These sand dunes were created through a combination of sand, wind, and surrounding mountains. The dunes are named for the mesquite tree that grows throughout the area. 

Because Mesquite Flats are sand dunes, there’s very little sun cover, so it’s best to visit the dunes either first thing in the morning, or at sunset time. The views of the desert and mountains in the distance are gorgeous as the sun disappears. 

No official trails lead out into the dunes. You’re free to wander wherever you like. Just be sure to watch your step as you walk, and try not to disturb any wildlife. Be careful of wandering out too far – Walking in sand can be very taxing. 

Elevation Sea Level Sign

The Elevation Sea Level signs display the elevation level in the park. You’ll actually notice them all throughout the park, but the one worth stopping at is near Furnace Creek, right where Badwater Road intersects with California State Route 190. 

This particular elevation sign has a shoulder where you can safely pull off the road and stop to take a photo with it. Although this isn’t the most necessary stop in Death Valley, it makes for a very memorable photo opp!

Darwin Falls

Darwin Falls is one of the few year-round waterfalls in Death Valley National Park. These falls are 18 feet tall, and they create a small oasis inside a rocky canyon. 

At the bottom of Darwin Falls is a small pool that has served as a water source for people and wildlife in Death Valley for hundreds of years. It might be tempting to go for a swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls – but don’t! This water is used as a drinking source for a nearby hotel. 

To reach Darwin Falls, you’ll take a 2-mile (3.2 km) out-and-back trail. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to finish this hike. It’s considered an easy trail to follow, and easy to walk. 

Thanks to Erin for sharing this incredible guide to the best things to do in Death Valley National Park. You can read more about Erin’s adventures on her website, Pina Travels. She also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism.

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