Thorndike Campground (Primitive)
Facility · California ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Death Valley National Park (National Park) · Open Access
- 7,415 ft
- Elevation
***No Potable Water Available in the Wildrose Area. Closest available water ~38 miles north at Stovepipe Wells, CA.
First-come, first-served primitive, forested campground with no additional fee located at 7,400' elevation. Accessible to high clearance vehicles (no longer than 25') and 4x4 may be necessary. Closest available water ~38 miles north at Stovepipe Wells. May still be impacted by snowy/icy conditions in late spring.
Getting there
Thorndike Campground (Primitive) directions and information are available at https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/thorndike-campground.htm.
36.23692, -117.07217 · 36°14'12.9"N 117°4'19.8"W
Typical weather
Typically 117°F in Jul, down to 66°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 67 | 74 | 83 | 91 | 101 | 111 | 117 | 116 | 108 | 93 | 77 | 66 |
| Low °F | 43 | 49 | 57 | 65 | 75 | 84 | 91 | 89 | 79 | 64 | 51 | 41 |
| Precip in | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 19.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Thorndike Campground (Primitive)
- Can you reserve a site at Thorndike Campground (Primitive)?
- No. Thorndike Campground (Primitive) is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Thorndike Campground (Primitive)
- Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping 19.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Furnace Creek Campground 19.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive) 0.5 mi · Facility
- Wildrose Campground 6.9 mi · Facility
- Sunset Campground 19.2 mi · Campground
- Furnace Creek Visitor Center 19.3 mi · Facility
- Texas Springs Campground 19.5 mi · Facility
- Emigrant Campground 19.9 mi · Campground
- Stovepipe Wells Campground 25.9 mi · Facility
- Big Dune 39.2 mi · Facility
- Homestake Campground (Primitive) 39.3 mi · Facility
- Olancha Dunes OHV Area 51.4 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (760) 786-3200
- Email deva_information@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-20.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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