Thorndike Campground (Primitive)
The Quick Take
Thorndike is Death Valley's best-kept secret for people who think the park is nothing but hellish heat. Perched at over seven thousand feet in the Panamint Range, this tiny primitive campground sits among pinyon pines and junipers -- a world away from the salt flats below. With only a handful of sites and zero amenities (no water, no toilets worth mentioning, no nothing), it filters out casual visitors and rewards the self-sufficient. The rough road up Wildrose Canyon demands high clearance and possibly four-wheel drive, which is exactly why you'll likely have the place to yourself on a Tuesday night in May. The temperature can run thirty to forty degrees cooler than Furnace Creek, making it a legitimate summer escape when the valley floor is trying to kill you. Choose Thorndike if you own a capable vehicle, carry your own water, and consider silence and starlight to be amenities.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 6 sites are reservable.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 25 feet. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
This campground includes uneven terrain, high elevation, and steep slopes. Unpaved Roads - 4WD/High clearance required
Rules to Know
- Fires:Check-out Time:12 PM Noon Camp Fires: No wood gathering.
- Generators:Quiet Hours:10 PM to 7 AM.
- Bear Safety:Do not feed wildlife.
- Checkout:Check-out Time:12 PM Noon Camp Fires: No wood gathering.
- Occupancy:8 people per site.
- Stay Limit:Stay limited to 30 days.
Pro Tips
The nearest water is roughly thirty miles north at Emigrant Rest Area -- bring every drop you need and then some. Plan for at least two gallons per person per day, more if you are hiking the Wildrose Peak trail nearby.
Time your visit for late April through June or September through November. The sweet spot is May, when the road is usually clear of snow but summer heat hasn't yet made the valley floor unbearable -- giving you cool nights up top and tolerable day trips to Badwater Basin below.
Bring a real spare tire and recovery gear for the road in. Cell service is nonexistent, so download offline maps and tell someone your itinerary. A camp stove is mandatory during fire restriction season from mid-June through mid-September, when open flames are prohibited.
Photos
NPS Photo / J.Gray
NPS Photo / J.Gray
NPS Photo / J.Gray
