Sunset Campground

Sunset Campground is first come first serve, which is how we mostly travel. The campground is conveniently located right across the highway from the Visitor Center and Furnace Creek Village. We chose it (over higher up Texas Springs), as it was easier to bike ride around the area. It was totally fine for a couple of nights. We would have stayed longer only a ferocious windstorm (Haboob) was "a brewing" so we high-tailed it to Pahrump for a couple of days.

The general store in the Furnace Creek area has very, very limited groceries. No eggs, meat of any kind, not even lunch meat, very little bread products, produce, and dairy...I'm convinced they want you to eat out at one of their eating establishments instead of restocking your own groceries. After a week long stay we ran out of everything.
I had a little Verizon cell coverage in the middle of the night in the campground. But in the day you would need to go over to the Visitor Center to use their Park Service wifi.

It's basically a giant gravel parking lot. Mostly back in sites (many motor homes pull in) and a few rows of pull through. Sites vary in size, but there's plenty for big rigs.
There's also several dish sinks and bath houses which are nice.
Weather was great while we were there, only occasionally heard generators running, but there is a generator free loop near the front.
Closest campground to Badwater area.
Don't bother with fiddler across the street, there'll be spots open here.
Dump station and fresh water fill near the back with easy access.
You will get 5 bars of cell service with both Verizon and AT&T but it DOES NOT work. You can send text messages, but there is no data coverage.

Let's make sure that we understand that this is an evaluation of the facility, not the beauty of the location.

Ever since this National Monument was forced into the NPS, which the NPS never wanted, its facilities have been steadily degrading. I have been coming here since the mid 1980's. Over the last 10 years, I have seen this campground facility declining with ZERO investment even though our access passes and site fees are increasing. Of particular note:
1. The water pressure was EXTREMELY low. The water flow at the dump station was under 0.5 gpm. I run potable water systems and would never allow this low of a pressure due to potential backflow.
2. Water leaks everywhere. Dripping faucets, leaving valves, water puddles, etc.
3. They are using NON NSF water hoses. They are using compressed air hoses, bandaged with electrical tape, to fill water tanks. I don't think this is safe or legal...
4. Absolutely zero ranger or LEO presence. Cars are constantly speeding throughout the campground, and entire park. I was there for a holiday weekend and I never saw a single LEO, but boy do the camp hosts come over TWICE A DAY, to make sure you pay, I have a problem with how poorly run the campground and park is.

NPS, do EVERYONE a favor and return the park back to the National Monument System. They did a much better job than the National Park Service.

Just a disgrace over how nice it was to bring the family to today.

Absolute disgrace.

Oh, and even though you have a strong cell signal, THERE IS NO INTERNET OR CELLULAR SERVICE... unless you pay the extra fee at the hotel...

It is what it is. This is a huge flat parking lot with marked off spaces in the middle of the desert. Convenient location near visitor center and great base camp to see the popular areas in Death Valley. We were here during President’s Day weekend and it was packed. There was a great vibe though, kind of like tailgating at a game or concert. Even with the crowd there were still plenty of spaces available since this place is very large and also has overflow lots. It was super quiet at night and really nice that generators have specific hours from 7am-9pm and a camp host. Free dump station, water fill up, bathrooms and outdoor sinks. $14 fee is paid at self-pay machine inside campground.

32 foot class A with dolly tow
March 2023

Central location for major park attractions and trails. Easy access, sites said back in however, most people pulled through. Several overflow lots. Nearby dump and water, granted the water was very slow at around 25psi.

There was a ton of generator noise however there is a generator free zone. We were the only class in. That zone (thank you solar) and at one time the only people in that lot, which made it very quiet.

14 dollars a night 7 with park pass

Not bad as I thought it was going to be. Not many folks in the approximately 400 'sites'.
Super clean bathrooms and areas to wash dishes.
Dump available at one location.
We used this affordable location (1/2 off $14 charge for interagency senior pass) to explore Death Valley.
No over the air TV, radio stations or cell coverage.
Super easy to get to and level parking for the most part.

We would come back here.