Cottonwood Canyon Road
Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping · Death Valley National Park
- Standard
- Other loops
“Cottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C3 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park. The site includes a small gravel space for vehicle parking and camp set up. Very little shade, little protection from the elements, and no other amenities will be found in the lower canyon. Sites are spaced at minimum 1/2 miles apart and allow for some privacy, quiet, and excellent stargazing. Generators are not allowed in the backcountry. Capacity Site C3 can accommodate a maximum of 4 vehicles and 12 people. For the purposes of capacity, any trailer counts as a vehicle. Access This site is located approximately 8.5 miles down the un-improved gravel Cottonwood-Marble Road, which is accessed from CA-190 just west of the Stovepipe Wells Campground. The Cottonwood-Marble Road is unimproved and requires high clearance (over 8 inches measured from the ground to the lowest part of the undercarriage), 4-wheel drive and off-highway driving experience. Much of the road, especially near the start, include areas of deep, soft sand. All vehicles must remain within the roadbed during travel and within the graded campsite. Off-road driving is prohibited throughout Death Valley National Park. Fires Constructed fire pits are not allowed in the backcountry. Portable fire pits that burn propane, methane or other gasses are allowed. Fire pans are allowed below 3,000 feet year round and above 3,000 feet between September 16 and June 14, provided the fire does not come in contact with the natural surface and all ash and burnt wood is removed. No wood gathering is allowed and all ashes must be collected. Vegetation There is no shade and very sparse creosote ground cover in this site. Views This site provides excellent views of the Cottonwood Mountains. Opportunities for backcountry travel by foot over the alluvial fan abound.”
recreation.gov's note for this site
- Longest rig
- 22 ft
- People
- Up to 12
- Vehicles
- 4 allowed
- The site includes a small gravel space for vehicle parking and camp set up
- Campfires
- Not allowed
- Pets
- Allowed
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out 12:00 PM
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026.
Sites
10
Standard
10
tent, RV or van
Longest rig
22 ft
at C1 · 10 standard sites take 22 ft
People
Up to 12
Sites in Cottonwood Canyon Road
Pick a site, here or on the map, to see its details.
- C1Standard · up to 12 people22 ft
- C2Standard · up to 12 people22 ft
- C3Standard · up to 12 peopleCottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C3 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park.22 ft
- C4Standard · up to 12 peopleCottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C4 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park.22 ft
- C5Standard · up to 12 peopleCottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C5 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park.22 ft
- C6Standard · up to 12 peopleCottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C6 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a very remote section of the park.22 ft
- C7Standard · up to 12 peopleCottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C7 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a very remote section of the park.22 ft
- C8Standard · up to 12 peopleWARNING: TRAVEL ACROSS DEEP SAND IS REQUIRED TO REACH THIS SITE Cottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C8 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park.22 ft
- C9Standard · up to 12 peopleWARNING: TRAVEL ACROSS DEEP SAND IS REQUIRED TO REACH THIS SITE Cottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C9 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park.22 ft
- C10Standard · up to 12 peopleWARNING: TRAVEL ACROSS DEEP SAND IS REQUIRED TO REACH THIS SITE Cottonwood Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C10 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park.22 ft
All 10 shown · by site number
Sites, types, rig lengths, positions and notes from recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026. Staff sites are left out.
- Standard
“Cottonwood Canyon Backcountry Roadside Camping Site C3 provides a primitive camping experience for visitors looking for solitude and adventure in a remote section of the park. The site includes a small gravel space for vehicle parking and camp set up. Very little shade, little protection from the elements, and no other amenities will be found in the lower canyon. Sites are spaced at minimum 1/2 miles apart and allow for some privacy, quiet, and excellent stargazing. Generators are not allowed in the backcountry. Capacity Site C3 can accommodate a maximum of 4 vehicles and 12 people. For the purposes of capacity, any trailer counts as a vehicle. Access This site is located approximately 8.5 miles down the un-improved gravel Cottonwood-Marble Road, which is accessed from CA-190 just west of the Stovepipe Wells Campground. The Cottonwood-Marble Road is unimproved and requires high clearance (over 8 inches measured from the ground to the lowest part of the undercarriage), 4-wheel drive and off-highway driving experience. Much of the road, especially near the start, include areas of deep, soft sand. All vehicles must remain within the roadbed during travel and within the graded campsite. Off-road driving is prohibited throughout Death Valley National Park. Fires Constructed fire pits are not allowed in the backcountry. Portable fire pits that burn propane, methane or other gasses are allowed. Fire pans are allowed below 3,000 feet year round and above 3,000 feet between September 16 and June 14, provided the fire does not come in contact with the natural surface and all ash and burnt wood is removed. No wood gathering is allowed and all ashes must be collected. Vegetation There is no shade and very sparse creosote ground cover in this site. Views This site provides excellent views of the Cottonwood Mountains. Opportunities for backcountry travel by foot over the alluvial fan abound.”
recreation.gov's note for this site
- Longest rig
- 22 ft
- People
- Up to 12
- Vehicles
- 4 allowed
- The site includes a small gravel space for vehicle parking and camp set up
- Campfires
- Not allowed
- Pets
- Allowed
- Check-in
- 12:00 PM
- Check-out 12:00 PM
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026.