4×4 Road: Trail Canyon Road – Death Valley National Park
High clearance-required 4×4 road to a spring and old mining area. The first 4 miles are accessible to high clearance, 2WD vehicles.
| Total Distance: 10.7 miles point-to-point (dead end) | Elevation Gain: 4,529ft. (-255ft. to 4,254ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 2.0+ (4×4 required after mile 4) | Bicycle Difficulty: Very Difficult |
| View Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 3.0 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: Leashed | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: Yes at least 1 mile from the West Side Road |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude to Moderate |
Uses:         | Road surface:    |
Features:       | Hazards:       |
Mile-by-Mile: Trail Canyon Road
0.0 Trail Canyon Road Junction on the West Side Road (-255ft.). Turn up Trail Canyon. The road is rough, rocky, and steep but manageable for high clearance, 2WD vehicles for the first four miles up to the top of the alluvial fan, after which 4×4 is required. Be sure to look back down the road, as the views out over Devils Golf Course and the Black Mountains are excellent, especially in the afternoon. (36.303036°, -116.890578°)
4.4 Enter Trail Canyon Wash (1,294ft.). Continue up the canyon, which is usually broad and brushy. Driving may be slow due to large rocks in the road and/or loose gravel in the wash bed. (36.308060°, -116.966429°)
9.3 Road Junction/Forks of Trail Canyon (3,430ft.). The right fork of the road goes a short distance (about 0.3 miles) up Trail Canyon to the Broken Pick Mine, which was filed to mine Tungsten during World War 2. The left fork continues up the South Fork of Trail Canyon to a second mining community. Explore the Broken Pick Mine if you want, but this guide turns left. Shortly before the end of the road, the road turns left out of the wash to ascend the hillside. (36.320238°, -117.042674°)
10.7 End of Road/Old Mining Camp (4,254ft.). Explore respectfully and leave no trace. A spring is nearby. (36.303141°, -117.047923°)
History & More
Road conditions can change with every storm that passes over the valley. Check at the visitor center for current road conditions.
Like many roads in Death Valley, the Trail Canyon Road was created by miners. The canyon and alluvial fan offered a natural roadbed for prospectors.
It’s likely that the canyon received its name due to the fact that you can access the ridgeline and other canyons in the Panamint Mountains via a “trail” up the canyon.
Be careful to leave no trace at the old mining camps. They are an important part of Death Valley’s history.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The road begins along the West Side Road, 5.3 miles from the northern terminus and 30.6 miles from the southern terminus.
It is extremely dangerous to enter a mine due to unstable shafts, gasses, and more. Do not enter mines, even if they are apparently open!
Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is prohibited.
Toxic chemicals or ore may be present around mine sites. Enter at your own risk.
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing any mine, structure, feature, or ruin is also prohibited.
Always be wary of flash floods in a canyon.
Camping in a canyon is discouraged due to the danger of flash floods.
Remember, it may be easier to climb up dryfalls than down them (or vice versa). Be sure you can climb in the other direction before climbing up or down a dryfall.
Camping is not allowed within one mile of a paved road, developed area, or dirt road that is closed to camping.
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.)