Coyote Flat Road
Death Valley's hidden mining camp adventure.
Coyote Flat Road disappears into Death Valley’s northwestern backcountry, following wagon ruts and mining tracks through Hidden Valley toward the Racetrack Playa’s lesser-known cousin. The route starts innocuous enough near Ubehebe Crater but quickly turns serious as you drop into narrow washes carved between volcanic walls, then emerge onto the vast expanse of Coyote Flat where 19th-century prospectors chased silver dreams. The final push to the old mining camp at Lippencott requires high clearance and steady nerves as the road clings to hillsides above deep arroyos.
Any high-clearance vehicle can handle most of the route, but the last few miles demand 4WD and careful line choice through loose rock sections. Winter and spring offer the best conditions — summer heat makes this a death trap. Bring serious water reserves, emergency shelter, and satellite communication because cell service doesn’t exist out here. The reward is experiencing Death Valley as it was meant to be — vast, empty, and utterly silent except for the wind. This is desert solitude at its purest, miles from the tourist crowds at Badwater.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 6-8 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Stovepipe Wells, CA |
| Land manager | Death Valley National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run Coyote Flat Road without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this trail fine. Low-clearance vehicles like stock Jeep Wranglers on street tires or crossovers will get hung up on the rocky sections near the mining camp approach.
Is Coyote Flat Road accessible in summer?
No. Summer temps in this part of Death Valley regularly hit 110°F+ and can be deadly. Stick to November through April — even then, check forecasts because flash flood risk in the narrows is real after any rain.
Do you need a permit or pay a fee to drive Coyote Flat Road?
Yes — it's inside Death Valley National Park, so the standard park entrance fee applies ($35 per vehicle as of 2024). No additional permit is required for the trail itself or dispersed camping.
What's the hardest section and what should I expect?
The roughest stretch is the rocky two-track leading into the mining camp area, where embedded boulders and loose shale demand careful tire placement. Nothing technical enough to require a locker, but it'll punish anyone moving too fast or running low-profile tires.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on the trail?
Stovepipe Wells is the closest fuel stop — fill up there before you go. There is no reliable water source on the trail itself, so carry all drinking water for the full 6-8 hour day plus emergency reserves.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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