Saline Valley Road — Waucoba Road to the Saline Valley Warm Springs
Death Valley's lonely back door
Saline Valley is the Death Valley most people never see. The Waucoba–Saline Valley Road leaves CA-168 east of Big Pine and drops off the Inyo Mountains in a long run of washboard, loose switchbacks and big open basin country. The old salt tram towers still climb the Inyo escarpment along the valley’s western side, left over from a salt operation that tried to haul its product out by aerial tram over a 8,700-foot pass. You’ll cross the Inyo summit, drop into the Saline Valley floor, and roll south past the dry lakebed to the Saline Valley Warm Springs, a volunteer-run hot spring oasis in the middle of nowhere.
The road is not technical, but it is remote and it punishes weak tires. Expect rocks that will chew up sidewalls, sharp washboard, and sand patches near the valley floor. A stock high-clearance 4WD with airing-down capability and two full-size spares is the sensible minimum. Fuel up in Big Pine or Lone Pine because there is no fuel, water or cell service anywhere out here. Bring all your own water. Spring and fall are the right seasons because summer heat on the valley floor is brutal and winter storms can close the upper road. No permit is needed for the drive, and dispersed camping is allowed along existing roads inside the park. The reward is solitude, stars, and a soak at the end. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 65 mi / 104.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7000 ft |
| Best season | October-May |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Big Pine, California |
| Land manager | National Park Service (Death Valley National Park) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Death Valley NP official site NPS road conditions |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma do Saline Valley Road?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD is enough in dry conditions, and the road is mostly washboard, rocks, and loose gravel rather than technical obstacles. Carry two full-size spares, since sharp rock and relentless washboard kill tires out here.
Is Saline Valley Road open in winter?
Usually, but not always. The high pass near 7,000 ft can hold snow and ice, and storms or flash floods can wash out the lower valley road. October through May is the best window, and summer valley floor temps can top 110°F. Check the NPS road conditions page before you leave Big Pine.
Do I need a permit to drive Saline Valley Road or camp at the hot springs?
No special permit is required for the drive or for dispersed camping, but the road is inside Death Valley National Park, so the standard park entrance fee applies. Camping and fire rules are set by the NPS, so check current regulations before you go.
What's the hardest part of the Saline Valley Road?
The descent from the Inyo Mountains into the valley. It's steep and rocky with loose gravel and heavy washboard, and washouts can leave ruts that change after every storm. Take it slow in low range for engine braking, because there's no recovery help and no cell signal.
Where can I get gas and water, and what's the cell coverage like?
There's no fuel, no services, and no cell service along the road or at the springs. Fill up in Big Pine before you start, and carry extra fuel and more water than you think you need, since the trail is 65 miles one way. Tell someone your route and return date before you go.
Trail track
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