Turtle Mountain Road
Remote Mojave mining roads through boulder country.
Turtle Mountain Road cuts through some of the most remote desert country in the Mojave, winding past abandoned gold mines and through boulder-strewn washes that’ll test your line choice. The route follows old mining roads dating back to the 1920s, passing the remnants of the Dale Mining District before climbing toward Turtle Mountain’s rocky spine. Key challenge comes at mile 8 where you’ll navigate the Sidewinder Wash—a technical rock garden that separates the pretenders from the veterans.
This is solid intermediate territory requiring high-clearance 4WD and skid plates for the rocky sections. Best tackled October through April when temperatures drop below triple digits. No permits needed, but fuel up in Twentynine Palms—next gas is 60 miles away in opposite directions. What you get is pure Mojave solitude, stellar night skies, and the satisfaction of running a route that still culls the unprepared. Dispersed camping is legal and encouraged.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Twentynine Palms, CA |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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