Salt Flats Trail

This route takes you from the Guadalupe Hot Springs exit back to Highway 5 across wide-open desert terrain. The trail is mostly dirt with some soft sand sections that will require 4x4, but overall it remains fairly flat and allows for a comfortable, fast-moving pace. You’ll travel through classic desert scenery with scattered vegetation and low bushes along the way. The final stretch crosses the Salt Flats (dry lakebed). When dry, this section is extremely smooth and easy to traverse. However, when wet, it can become challenging—or even completely impassable—due to deep mud and slick conditions. Always check the recent weather before attempting this portion of the trail. Overall, it’s a straightforward and scenic route with minimal obstacles, best experienced in dry conditions.