Trail Overview

Near Death Valley National Park, experienced riders will enjoy this challenging route. There are two first-come, first-serve cabins open to the public. Green-sticker ATVs and dirtbikes can explore above camp on a narrow bridge to Thorndike Bridge. Stop at the national park boundary.

Photos of Briggs Camp

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Difficulty

Difficult: Condition of trail varies greatly depending on recent storms. At times it may be impassable until volunteers repair it. Prepare for a narrow, rocky trail, very tippy in spots. We don't recommend this trail for stock SUVs.

History

All we know about Harry Briggs is that he lived here in the 1930s and was in charge of surrounding mining operations. A picture of him hangs in Briggs Cabin. Purportedly, the cabins are in better shape today then when he lived there. The cabins are maintained by volunteers of 'Friends of Briggs Camp.' Please follow posted rules. Maximum stay 4 days. Read and follow hantavirus advisories posted at cabins.

Technical Rating

Charwest

Sep 15, 2026

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Rocky canyon trail with a few short technical rock steps or scrambles and a little shelf road. The cabins are lovely little oases of water and wild animals. We did this as part of a loop to the plateau to pleasant canyon and the ranger told us "oh hey, noooooo problem. It will be straightforward in your ford ranger'. Not so. If you take this trail up to the plateau as is mapped in onx (not just stop at the friend of Briggs cabins) you immediately get into some highly committing exposed narrow shelf roads with technical rock steps and off camber driving above a 100' drop off into the ravine with no turn arounds. We did this in a stock 2019 ranger with 32" tires aired down to 28 psi and it was very stimulating/dicey... if you have even a moment of discomfort with the approach trail to the cabins I strongly recommend not starting up the ravine above the cabins. It would be easier in a vehicle with larger tires and some more articulation but I suspect still very exciting. Would not take a full size truck.

David Turpin

Sep 10, 2026

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Open

NormalRough/DeterioratedWashboard

We took a shot it was open it had been closed for a slide those rocks have been broken down and are now passable this trail is nothing but rock bottom to top with so many switchbacks you can’t count them and it’s really steep lockers are a must and good tires with a little air out It turns out this trail is now easier than Goler Canyon road. We made it all the way to the cabins and we saw a Ringtail cat in the stone cabin he was just as surprised to see us there were other locals up on the side of the mountain asking what we were up to and making their donkey sounds

Steve Klem

Nov 21, 2025

Temporarily Closed

Weather Event

Due to a rock slide, the trail to Briggs Camp is currently blocked.

Patrick Rooney

Apr 13, 2025

2022 Jeep Wrangler

Open

NormalDusty

Rocky and narrow road to cabin but well traveled. Road in many places is one vehicle only with few places to turn around. Take it slow and enjoy the slot canyon and the wild burros at the cabin

Christopher Toumanian

Mar 17, 2025

2023 Toyota 4Runner

Open

Normal

The trail to the cabin and the shelf road to South Park was in good condition.

B T

Jan 22, 2025

Open

Normal

Trail to the cabins was open and doable. The shelf road beyond the cabin was also doable. Made it to Colter Spring and had to turn around due to solid ice

Jason Lewis

Dec 23, 2024

2013 Jeep Wrangler

Open

Normal

The trail is currently in great condition and easily passible with stock 4x4 vehicles all the way from Ballarat to the cabins at Briggs Camp. If you choose to continue past the cabins up through South Park, the shelf road is very narrow and steep but passable at this time with a high clearance 4x4.

JnA G

Mar 29, 2024

Open

Normal

Trail shifted some from original location due to previous washout but fully passable now. Quite a few Burro's around the cabins and on the trail.