Saline Valley Road

Total Miles
78.3

Elevation

2,311.27 ft

Duration

--

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Fall, Winter

Trail Overview

Death Valley is famous for its barren valleys and soaring vistas, but few people wander into its more remote regions like Saline Valley. The road into this area is dirt, and often heavily corrugated and strewn with rocks or sand. Most vehicles with AWD or 4WD can tackle the trail, but good tires, a spare, and extra water are mandatory for any attempt. Along the route, visitors will experience some of the best views in this half of the park and will gain access to hot springs, side trails to the Race Track, Steele Pass and Eureka Dunes. Expect to see expanses of Joshua Trees, the majestic peaks of the Inyo Mountains, abundant desert wildlife, and at night some of the best stargazing in California. There is no cell service in this region and the nearest fuel source to the North Entrance is Big Pine so plan ahead and fuel in Panamint Springs if necessary.

Difficulty

This road is in good condition however it is extremely remote in places and the environmental conditions can pose a hazard. Flats are common thanks to sharp rocks and overheating is a serious issue in hotter months.

History

Saline Valley was heavily trafficked during the borax and salt mining operations of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The road was used to transport the mined materials across the Inyo Mountains to the railroad awaiting the raw materials.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Mb Bxxkl
Feb 16, 2024
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Weather Event
North pass and S. Pass Saline Valley Closed to Traffic by Snow. South Pass Saline Valley Road Closed to ALL traffic by Inyo County https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
Ernesto Lopez
Jan 20, 2024
2017 Lexus GX
Open
Dusty
Patrick Dundon
Sep 04, 2023
4x4
Temporarily Closed
Matt Mcmann
Jul 01, 2023
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Washboard

Access Description

From the north Leave Big Pine on hwy 168 and follow Waucoba/Death Valley road until meeting the junction for Saline Valley on the right. From the South, the trail can be picked up off hwy 190.

Popular Trails

Go Farther

Try onX Offroad Elite for free for a week — no strings attached. Get access to thousands of off-road dirt trails and snowmobile trails across the nation. View your favorite zones in 3D. Send trails to friends. Start planning the trip of a lifetime now.