Dayton-Harris Grave – Death Valley National Park
Read a plaque at the gravesite of James W. Dayton and Frank “Shorty” Harris.
| Total Distance: 300ft. out & back | Elevation Gain: 2ft. (-255ft. to 257ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 1.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: No | Horses: Yes (do not take horses out onto the salt flat) |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None here; the closest dispersed camping is 1 mile up the Hanaupah Canyon Road |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 1.5 | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:   |
Features:  | Hazards:    |
Mile-by-Mile: Dayton-Harris Grave
0.0 West Side Road – the Dayton Harris Monument is on left (east) (-255ft.). If you want, walk east across the desert toward the monument. (36.207309°, -116.870803°)
150ft. Dayton Harris Monument (-257ft.). A monument with a plaque and two piles of rocks mark the graves of James W. Dayton and his friend Frank “Shorty” Harris. There isn’t much else to see in the area, so return to your vehicle unless you want to wander around the mesquite bushes. (approx. 36.207424°, -116.870394°)
History & More
Frank “Shorty” Harris is not the same man as Alexander Zachariah “Shorty” Borden, for whom Shortys Well is named.
Shorty was so named because he was only 5’ 4” tall.
James W. Dayton was a friend and partner of Shorty Harris. Jim, described by Shorty as a “pioneer,” died and was buried here in 1898. Shorty requested that his body be buried beside Jim’s, though the old miner didn’t pass on until 1934.
James “Jim” or “Jimmy” Dayton worked on the famous 20 Mule Team as a “swamper” – the go-fur who was responsible for unharnessing the mules, cooking, gathering wood, and related tasks. He later became a summer caretaker at Furnace Creek. On a hot summer day in 1898, he set off toward the town of Daggett to pick up supplies, despite the fact that he didn’t feel well. He didn’t even make it out of Death Valley, but was buried along what is now the West Side Road.
The Inyo Independent reported a full story about the funeral of Shorty Harris, including that it was officiated by the chaplain of the nearby CCC camp, with “one hundred and fifty C.C.C. boys” in attendance.
It’s said that Dayton and Harris are the deepest-buried people in the United States – after all, the ground surface is well below sea level!
Shorty Harris is honored with a statue near Rhyolite, along with a penguin. Shorty always saw penguins in the mirages in Death Valley in his drunken stupors.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
Along the West Side Road, 12.2 miles from the north end and 23.6 miles from the southern end of the West Side Road.
Camping is not permitted within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of open water.
No camping is permitted on the floor of Death Valley, within one mile of Darwin Falls and Greenwater Canyon, on the active/shifting sand dunes, and certain other canyons and backcountry areas.
Camping is also prohibited within one mile of the Ubehebe Lead Mine, Leadfield Mines, Keane Wonder Mill, and Skidoo Mill.
Camping is limited to 30 days per calendar year within the park.
Fires are permitted in NPS-provided fire grates or grills ONLY.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
All park rules and regulations
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)