Saline Valley — Death Valley National Park Backcountry Camping

Saline Valley sits in the northwest corner of Death Valley National Park, well away from the tour buses. It’s a big, empty basin ringed by the Inyo and Panamint ranges. Most overlanders come for the dispersed camping along the valley road and the warm springs area, which has a loose, clothing-optional, volunteer-run culture. Pick a flat spot, keep your camp tight, and pack out everything you brought. There are no services, no stores, and no fuel for a very long way. Carry extra water, spare tires, and a full tank.

The valley is reached by long dirt roads over passes (the North Pass and South Pass routes), and washouts and rough sections change with every storm. Check current road conditions with the park before you commit. Summer here is brutal; October through April is the sane window. The wind can pick up hard, so stake everything down. Cell service is nothing. Tell someone your route before you go. Have a dirty day.

Death Valley's empty back door.