Good Afternoon,I'm planning a trip to Death Valley and never been in that area. I was wondering the best staging area to camp, preferably an hour or so outside the park? I have a 9 month old so would like to limit the miles from San Diego to the park (w/o the little one I would just drive all the way inside the park). We're open to boondocking or can check in to a campsite. Also, should I enter the park on the west or eastern side? Any general knowledge of the area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance! I have an F150 with a Jayco Jayfeather.

On the East The Pads Camping Free GPS N36° 20.351' W116° 36.056'but only 20 miles from NP Furnace Creek NP campground. Check out the town of Pahrump NV

I am not sure what you mean by a staging area. Also it is only about 5 hours from SD to Deva. Is it really necessary to stop an hour or so earlier? Anyway there are plenty of places to boondock from Baker to Deva. You will be coming in on the Eastern side as the quickest route.If you really want to cut the driving time, you could spend a night at either Joshua Tree or in the Mojave Preserve. You can boondock in numerous places outside of those areas. I have stayed at the campground in Mojave but typically just boondock in the preserve.

I should have put Campground/campsite instead of staging. Thanks for your feedback!

“and never been in that area...”If entering from the West, Lone Pine is close with Tuttle Creek BLM Campground (water and dump) and, of course, the Alabama Hills.

Look for something around Pahrump Nevada.

Death Valley NP | Good Sam Community

azdryheat
Explorer
Jan 31, 2021
er78mph wrote:
Good Afternoon,

I'm planning a trip to Death Valley and never been in that area. I was wondering the best staging area to camp, preferably an hour or so outside the park? I have a 9 month old so would like to limit the miles from San Diego to the park (w/o the little one I would just drive all the way inside the park). We're open to boondocking or can check in to a campsite. Also, should I enter the park on the west or eastern side? Any general knowledge of the area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance! I have an F150 with a Jayco Jayfeather.
How about a short review of the new Costa Vista RV Resort at E street?
jdc1
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2021
Look for something around Pahrump Nevada.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2021
“and never been in that area...”

If entering from the West, Lone Pine is close with Tuttle Creek BLM Campground (water and dump) and, of course, the Alabama Hills.
er78mph
Explorer
Jan 31, 2021
I should have put Campground/campsite instead of staging. Thanks for your feedback!
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jan 31, 2021
I am not sure what you mean by a staging area. Also it is only about 5 hours from SD to Deva. Is it really necessary to stop an hour or so earlier? Anyway there are plenty of places to boondock from Baker to Deva. You will be coming in on the Eastern side as the quickest route.

If you really want to cut the driving time, you could spend a night at either Joshua Tree or in the Mojave Preserve. You can boondock in numerous places outside of those areas. I have stayed at the campground in Mojave but typically just boondock in the preserve.
TenOC
Nomad
Jan 31, 2021
On the East The Pads Camping Free GPS N36° 20.351' W116° 36.056'
but only 20 miles from NP Furnace Creek NP campground. Check out the town of Pahrump NV

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