Trail Overview

Warm Springs Canyon Road is a 25-mile rock road that climbs up out of Death Valley from West Side Road to meet Goler Canyon Road at Mengel Pass. The Death Valley National Park calls for high clearance vehicles for the first 10 miles to Warm Springs Camp and then 4x4 beyond into Butte Valley and "rough 4wd" over Mengel Pass. As of May 2023, the road conditions up into Butte Valley are a three (3), and the rock garden climbing up to Mengel Pass is a six (6). There are numerous spur roads to explore in Butte Valley. Many of them lead to historic miner's cabins that can be stayed in overnight. The general rule is to put out the flag if occupying a cabin so those approaching know that you are there.

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Difficulty

This trail is rated as the most difficult section as many users like to pass through vs turn back.

Technical Rating

Thomas Hughes

Dec 20, 2025

Open

THE TRAIL IS OPEN but be prepared for numerous washouts. Passable by high clearance, and preferably armored undersides, definitely 4wheel low range and single locker minimum. The rock gardens are far worse after the November rains. The exit into the park at the bottom has many washouts, and is passable but technically closed. As you descend into the valley, the trail is totally washed away and turns into a rocky river bed. Badwater basin road is washed away. Can exit through here if needed. We camped at the geologists cabin. Saw nobody else on the trail.

Randy Boelkes

Apr 16, 2025

Open

As others have noted. It’s a long bumpy dirt road. Nothing significantly technical unless you head past this to Mengel Pass

Randy Boelkes

Apr 13, 2025

Open

This is basically a long dirt road with some washboard from the main park road to the Geologists cabin. It seems like the 6 rating includes the trail going to Mengel Pass, which is included in the Goler Canyon Road trail. Beautiful scenery.

Christopher Toumanian

Mar 19, 2025

Open

David Turpin

Nov 16, 2024

Open

From the west side road up through the warm spring canyon the trail was washboard and bumpy but nothing off camber or anything else the trail has been re work since it flooded so basically a gravel road up to the geology cabin we did not go beyond

Chris Noble

May 18, 2024

Open

Trail was in good shape from Butte valley down to Death Valley. Hard packed and rocky on the last bit down toward the West Side road.

Leon Liang

Apr 21, 2024

Open

Trail is in great condition. If not going up to Mengel Pass, stock 4x4 with AT/MT/RT tire will be fine. High clearance not required.

Matt Geraci

Mar 31, 2024

Open

Ashton Fera

Mar 08, 2024

Open