Coyote Dry Lake Playa Road — Lucerne Valley to Coyote Dry Lake via Rodman Mountains
Petroglyphs, basalt, and a ghost-white playa.
Most Mojave runs follow somebody else’s tire tracks. This one drops south off Highway 247 into the Rodman Mountains Wilderness Study Area and threads between basalt flows and creosote flats before opening onto Coyote Dry Lake — a cracked, bone-white playa that stretches far enough to lose depth perception. The Rodman petroglyphs, pecked into dark desert varnish by Serrano people over a thousand years ago, sit just off the main line and are worth the short walk. The lakebed itself is flat and fast when dry, but stay off it within 48 hours of rain or you’ll be digging out in axle-deep silt.
Most of the route is high-clearance two-wheel-drive when dry — the volcanic rock sections heading through the Rodmans are the only real bite, with loose basalt rubble that’ll punish low-profile tires. A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it without drama. Best season is October through April; summers cook above 110°F and the playa can flood in monsoon season. No permit needed, but the Wilderness boundary limits motorized travel — stay on the established dirt road. No water. Fuel in Lucerne Valley before you leave pavement. Solitude, petroglyphs, and a playa sunrise — that’s what you’re getting out here.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3400 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD recommended) |
| Nearest town | Lucerne Valley, CA |
| Land manager | BLM Barstow Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.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 this trail without modifications?
Yes. A stock mid-size truck or SUV with factory high clearance handles this trail fine. The rocky sections through the Rodman Mountains benefit from 4WD, but a capable high-clearance 2WD can manage it in dry conditions — just pick your lines carefully on the basalt.
When is this trail actually drivable, and what happens if it rains?
October through April is the sweet spot — cooler temps and stable surfaces. Summer heat in the Mojave regularly tops 110°F out here and makes the run miserable and potentially dangerous. Rain turns the playa into impassable clay mud that will swallow tires and not let go, so check forecasts before you commit.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail or camp out here?
No permit required. This is BLM land managed by the Barstow Field Office, so dispersed camping is free and legal under standard 14-day stay limits. No fees, no reservations — just follow Leave No Trace and don't camp within 200 feet of any water source or archaeological site.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The rocky climb through the Rodman Mountains is where the trail earns its moderate rating — sharp basalt chunks and uneven ledges that punish low-clearance rigs and can sidewall a tire if you're sloppy. It's not extreme, but it demands attention and deliberate line choice rather than just pointing and driving.
How far is the nearest gas, and is there any water on the trail?
Lucerne Valley has a gas station — fuel up there before you head out because there is nothing between the trailhead and the playa. There is zero water on this trail; bring everything you need, minimum a gallon per person per day in cooler months and double that if you're running it in shoulder-season heat.
Trail track
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