Saline Valley Road
Death Valley's forgotten backdoor
Saline Valley Road is Death Valley’s forgotten entrance, a 76-mile odyssey from Highway 395 near Big Pine that climbs over the Inyo Mountains, drops into remote Saline Valley, then conquers the Last Chance Range to reach Death Valley proper. The route passes abandoned Cerro Gordo mines, skirts the edge of wilderness areas, and ends at natural hot springs where clothing has been optional since the 1960s. This is old-school desert travel — no services, no cell coverage, just endless basin-and-range country.
The road demands high-clearance 4WD for rocky sections and washouts, especially after storms. Best traveled October through April to avoid brutal summer heat. Carry multiple days of water and fuel — Saline Valley’s remoteness has claimed unprepared travelers. Dispersed camping throughout, but the hot springs area has established sites. You’ll cross two mountain ranges, drop into one of California’s most isolated valleys, and soak in springs that have drawn desert rats for generations.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 76 mi / 122.3 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7000 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Big Pine, California |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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