Lodging inside Death Valley is rare, and both our picks sit at Furnace Creek, in the middle of the park. Our exclusive pick is a 1927 inn above palm gardens; our accessible pick is the family-friendly ranch next to the visitor center. Prices are shown as a level, from $ to $$$$: rates move with the season and the room, so check the live price before you plan.
The Inn at Death Valley
$$$$
Pick no. 1 · The standoutBoutiqueFurnace Creek, inside the park
Historic mission-style inn inside the park (1927), 66 rooms plus 22 casitas
Photos: The Inn at Death Valley, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.
A 1927 mission-style inn with a spring-fed pool and palm gardens, in the heart of Death Valley.
What convinced us is the setting: a 1927 stone-and-stucco inn on a low hill at the mouth of Furnace Creek Wash, looking over the valley to the Panamint Mountains, with a warm spring-fed pool below. We would book it for a winter night or two, with sunrise at Zabriskie Point a short drive up the road and a drink on the Stargazers Deck after dark.
Best for
Couples
History and architecture lovers
Stargazers
A 1927 inn built by the Pacific Coast Borax Company, now an AAA Four Diamond resort
A spring-fed pool kept at 87°F, among date palm gardens fed by natural springs
22 casitas over 500 square feet, each with a living room, wet bar and its own golf cart
What the hotel offers
As listed on the hotel’s own website.
Spring-fed pool87°F year-round, cabanas and pool bar; Inn guests only
Oasis gardensDate palms and natural springs below the Inn
Inn Dining RoomDinner reservations strongly recommended
Bar and loungeWith a library and views over the valley
Spa and massageSwedish, warm stone and reflexology; book on 760-786-2345 ext. 120
Fitness room and saunaInn guests only
Tennis and pickleballOne tennis court and two pickleball courts, Inn guests only
Stargazers DeckDrinks under the Milky Way
Air-conditioningWith ceiling fans in every room
Wi-FiFor registered guests, included in the daily resort fee
EV chargingTwo Level 2 chargers at the Inn
Airstrip transfersComplimentary van from the Furnace Creek airstrip
The Ranch at Death Valley
$$$$
Pick no. 2 · The easy choiceFamilyFurnace Creek, next to the park visitor center
Family resort inside the park, 275 rooms and cottages around a 1930s ranch
Photos: The Ranch at Death Valley, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.
A former borax ranch turned family base, with a warm spring-fed pool next to the park visitor center.
What convinced us is the convenience for a family: rooms on lawns by a warm pool, a playground, a saloon for dinner and the park visitor center next door. We would book a cottage, with laundry and room for everyone, and use it as a base for two days of Badwater, the dunes and Artists Drive.
Best for
Families
Golfers
Road trippers
Next to the National Park Service visitor center, in the middle of the park
An 87°F spring-fed pool open 8 am–11 pm, a playground and sports courts
A Town Square with the Last Kind Words Saloon, a general store, ice cream and coffee
What the hotel offers
As listed on the hotel’s own website.
Spring-fed pool87°F year-round, open 8 am–11 pm
PlaygroundPlus pickleball, basketball, volleyball and horseshoe pits
Town Square diningRestaurant, ice cream and coffee bar
Last Kind Words SaloonDrinks and dinner in a western-style saloon
General storeSouvenirs and groceries
Fire pitsCommunal fire pits on the grounds
Horseback rides and JeepsFurnace Creek Stables and Farabee Jeep rentals
Golf courseFurnace Creek Golf Course, 214 feet below sea level
Wi-FiComplimentary wireless Internet in rooms
Air-conditioningWith mini-fridge and coffee maker in every room
EV chargingFour Level 2 chargers at The Ranch
Historic inn or family ranch: how to choose
The Inn and The Ranch are just over a mile apart at Furnace Creek and both belong to The Oasis at Death Valley, but they offer very different stays.
Where should I stay in Death Valley for a first visit?+
At Furnace Creek, in the center of the park: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and Artists Drive are a short drive away. The Inn at Death Valley and The Ranch at Death Valley are both there, and both open year-round. Read our Death Valley travel guide
How far ahead should I book a hotel in Death Valley?+
As early as you can for winter and spring: The Oasis at Death Valley accepts reservations up to 13 months ahead, opening a full month of the following year on the first of each month. Use the See prices button of each hotel for live availability.
When is the best time to visit Death Valley?+
November to March. Summer temperatures can reach 120°F (49°C) or more; winter days are around 65–72°F (18–22°C) with cold nights. When to visit Death Valley
How do I get to these hotels?+
By car. The nearest major airport is Las Vegas, about 120 miles southeast of Furnace Creek, roughly a two-hour drive. Private pilots can land at the 3,065-foot airstrip next to the resort, with complimentary van transfers.
Which of the two hotels suits families?+
The Ranch at Death Valley: it has a playground, sports courts, a pool open until 11 pm and cottages with a washer and dryer. At both hotels children under 16 stay free with a paying adult.
Do I still pay the park entrance fee if I stay at these hotels?+
Yes. Death Valley charges $30 per private vehicle for seven days, payable at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center or at the remote fee machines. There is no surcharge for non-US residents in this park.
Can I book these hotels directly?+
Yes. The See prices button under The Inn at Death Valley opens the hotel’s official website. For The Ranch at Death Valley it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners. Both open in a new tab.
Picked by Kylian Dev. These are editorial picks: no hotel paid to be here, and we never describe a stay we did not make. Facts come from each hotel’s own website; the Trip.com buttons are partner links (how we make money).
