Thorndike Campground

At a glanceFree campsite

Free CampingBackcountryCaravansTent Site

About this campsite

Free camping at Thorndike Campground. Operated by National Park Service.

What this place offers

Accommodation Types

Backcountry

Caravans

Tent Site

Free Camping

Location

Thorndike Campground•CA

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

WED☀️

21° / 8°

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TODAY☀️

22° / 13°

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FRI☁️

23° / 13°

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SAT☁️

24° / 14°

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SUN☀️

23° / 14°

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Common questions about Thorndike Campground

Is Thorndike Campground free to camp at?

We have Thorndike Campground in CA recorded as a free camp, but we have not confirmed that with the operator, so treat it as unconfirmed. Sites change hands and councils bring in fees, so check the current rate before you commit to the drive.

What facilities does Thorndike Campground have?

Thorndike Campground has backcountry, caravans, tent site and free camping. Facilities at camps change, particularly after a wet season, so check the operator or the managing authority if one of them decides your trip. The list comes from the site record rather than a visit, so treat it as a guide.

Can you book Thorndike Campground online?

We hold no online booking link for Thorndike Campground, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is Thorndike Campground?

Thorndike Campground sits in CA. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Facilities at Thorndike Campground

Facilities recorded for Thorndike Campground
Facility	On site
Backcountry	Yes
Caravans	Yes
Tent Site	Yes
Free Camping	Yes

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

700m away

Mahogany Flat Campground

Free camping at Mahogany Flat Campground. Operated by National Park Service.

11.0 km away

Wildrose Campground

Free camping at Wildrose Campground. Operated by National Park Service.

23.3 km away

World Beater Cabin

Campground: World Beater Cabin. Operated by none.

31.0 km away

Sunset Campground

Open seasonally, typically late fall through mid-to-late April. First-come, first-served, large campground that rarely fills. This location has little to no vegetation and is comprised of desert gravels. Car and tent camping is permitted however each site DOES NOT offer a fire grate or picnic table. Campfires are not allowed in Sunset except at a few established community fire grates within the campground. Fee is paid at the pay stations in the campground.

31.1 km away

Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping

Overview PLEASE BE AWARE: These are primitive sites that do not offer water, electricity, toilet access, or any amenities. Most primitive roadside campsites require a high clearance vehicle, and 4-wheel drive is highly encouraged. Road conditions can change quickly. High clearance vehicles are defined as a SUV or truck with at least 15 inch tire rims AND at least 8 inches of ground clearance from the lowest point of the frame, body, or suspension. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley! In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Death Valley has sunk below sea level through geologic processes over time. It lies within the Mojave Desert and is the hottest, driest and lowest location in North America. Despite its extreme climate, the park boasts a diversity of ecosystems, including colorful badlands, snow-covered peaks, desolate sand dunes, rugged canyons and flat, dry basins called playas. Backcountry Roadside camping in Death Valley provides a primitive backcountry experience in the park's premier wilderness. All of these designated sites are located in remote locations and campers must be self-sufficient. Visit the park's Backcountry Camping page for more information. Recreation There are over 3.4 million acres of Death Valley to explore. The popular main attractions are accessible by paved roads and more remote areas of the park will require high clearance, 4-wheel drive. Please visit the park's website for helpful tips when planning your trip. Facilities Backcountry Roadside Campsites: Primitive roadside camping with your vehicle in designated campsites along rugged backcountry dirt roads. These are primitive, roadside campsites which require extra trip planning. Please take the time to plan and carefully prepare your itinerary. Roadside campsites are intended for high clearance vehicles only. Trailers, RVs and passenger vehicles will not be able to access most of these campsites. High clearance vehicles are defined as a SUV or truck, with at least 15 inch tire rims, and at least 8 inches of ground clearance, as measured from the lowest point of the vehicle (frame, suspension, body, differential). Natural Features Death Valley National Park contains the largest wilderness in the contiguous United States (over 3,190,400 acres or roughly 93% of the entire National Park!). Nearly a thousand miles of paved and dirt roads intersect the wilderness, providing ready access to all but the most remote locations. Backcountry travel in Death Valley National Park can be challenging, but the opportunities for experiencing solitude, sweeping vistas, dark night skies, and awesome geology abound within the three million acres of designated wilderness in the park. There are few established trails in the park, but hikers can follow canyon bottoms, open desert washes, alluvial fans, and abandoned dirt roads to get around. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (760) 786-3200. Nearby Attractions Charges & Cancellations Changes/Modifications Changes may be made prior to the day the reservation begins. If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. There is