California Off-Road Trails

This well-maintained gravel road goes into Death Valley's backcountry for access to one of the parks most successful mining areas, the Keane Wonder Mine and Mill. The mine and mill are one of the best examples of a historical gold mining operation in the national park. What is unique about this site is the well-preserved aerial tramway that still has the cables attached. The mine was first prospected in 1903 and was opened and closed at least twice before successful operations began. It was bought and sold several times after it was closed in 1912, but it never was commercially viable again.

Chidago Canyon Road travels through the Chidago Canyon Wilderness Area and the Inyo National Forest and offers possibly the best scenery in the area. The landscape is spectacular in every direction, from the drive-thru red rock slot canyon to the stunning views of the White Mountains to the east and The Sierra Nevadas to the west. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Whitney in the far distance to the southwest.

Depending on your start point, the road is a big climb or descent. The high point is towards the west. Either direction offers fantastic views. Just be sure to look behind you so you don't miss out. 

The road is washboarded toward the east end but mainly gravel with rocky spots. It is an easy trail to navigate, and any 2WD high-clearance vehicle can handle it.

The volcanic rocks that line the road are reddish from the area's minerals. As the trail gains elevation in the western section, the pine trees of the Inyo National Forest get more abundant.

Towards the west end of the trail, there is a turnoff to a really cool loop that takes you more into the forest area and has BLM camping areas. This is dispersed camping with no facilities and no charge to camp on BLM land for 14 days. 

Nearby great trails include Fish Slough Road and Casa Diablo Road.

This incredible drive starts at the southern end of Death Valley National Park, just off the road to Dante’s View, which is epic! The arid desert climate provides spectacular views of the Black Mountains to the west, and Greenwater Range to the east!

Camping is allowed along the dirt roads, however, you will need a permit click here for the link to the permit. The road itself is well maintained with a few small rocky sections, but any high-clearance vehicle can make it, 4WD is not necessary.

In case you didn’t know, Death Valley is the hottest place on Earth! So stay away from this region during the summer months, and always check the conditions before you go as the temperature can get up to 130 degrees.

The Warm Springs trail begins at the south end of the Thomas Hunting Ground trail and is about 4.5 miles long with an elevation change of 1600 feet. The trail leads to the Seven Oaks Reservoir but is an out-and-back trail, as the Santa Ana Road at the end is currently washed out and impassable. The trail can be narrow at points with few areas for passing other vehicles. Pinstriping from trees is unavoidable. It is recommended to use a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle due to deep ruts and narrow areas around washouts. The drive is scenic, and reaching the end of the trail is rewarding, offering a nice secluded streamside lunch spot. It takes about 35-45 minutes to travel the entire trail.

Located east of Lucerne Valley, Bessemer Mine Road (Partin Mine Road) starts on Bureau of Land Management land and, after a 1500-foot climb, crosses into the San Bernardino National Forest. Near the end of the trail is Partin Mine, a once heavily mined area near Terrace Springs, which still has the fascinating ruins of a large mining camp to explore and expansive views of Fry and Johnson Valleys. Over its length, there are many other intersecting trails to explore. Please note that this is not a continuation or related to the proper Bessemer Mine Road just to the northeast. It is simply named the same.

Bessemer Mine Road is an easy but rocky trail requiring a high clearance two-wheel drive vehicle and would be enjoyed by a beginning offroader.

Dispersed camping is allowed in the mine camp area when following the San Bernardino National Forest Dispersed Camping Guidelines. Several dispersed campsites can be found around the mining camp. Campfires are generally prohibited, and if you plan to camp, you are responsible for knowing the campfire restrictions. Operating a camp stove requires a campfire permit.

In the southwest corner of Anza Borrego State Park sits one of the most visited trails in this desolate part of California, Morero Wash North. An extension of Mortero Wash, this short trail surrounds you with some of the most fantastic flora of the southern portion of the Anza Borrego Desert. Whether you are out exploring the vast desert landscape or trying to get to the Dolomite Mine for some sightseeing, Mortero Wash North will be a great addition to your trip.

The Black Magic Mine backcountry 4x4 route is located in perhaps the most remote area of Death Valley National Park. You will likely see wild burros in the area, and lucky travelers may spot desert bighorn sheep. The road to the Black Magic Mine frequently floods during the rainy season, and unless you know there actually is a road, the mine could be difficult to find. There are no signs, and due to water running down the sand wash, previous vehicle tracks may be obliterated making you wonder where you are headed. Prior to WWII, 20 mule team borax wagon trains followed the Owl Hole Spring Road that accesses the road to the Black Magic Mine. These wagon trains would stop at Owl Hole Spring at the Black Magic Mine trailhead on their way to and from the railroad terminal at Mojave, California. Created originally as a national monument, Death Valley was substantially expanded and became a national park in 1994, but the history of the Black Magic Mine goes back to its discovery in 1916. Early ore prices made hauling the magnesium ore out of Death Valley too expensive to develop the mine until WWII when the demand for magnesium drove prices up.

Lots of Lakes OHV Trail is one of the most challenging trails in the entire area. You can decide which way to run the trail depending on how hard you like it, with the easier direction being from south to north. For those looking for the blood-pumping thrill, the attraction to the trail is the intense hill climb. What makes the hill climb so feared is the insane amount of loose shale rocks on a 20-30-degree climb. Add a few obstacles, including a 4-foot waterfall, a boulder squeeze, a slider grinder rock, and large boulders you must climb over, and you have a recipe for failure and destruction.

If you would like to camp at Snake Lake, there is a campground on 12E67, or you can also camp in the small open dispersed area at the bottom of the hill. There, you will find dirt on the ground, flat and level. The area is in the forest, so there is plenty of shade. There is enough space for 5-9 vehicles with ground tents.

The Lots of Lakes OHV Trail will also be depicted on various maps as Deer Lake (0093) and 16E62. It is popular for people to drive this in combination with the 12E67 Snake Lake OHV Trail to form a loop.

The northern section of Arroyo Tapida was recently opened. The trail isn't very heavily traveled and takes you back into the badlands of Anza Borrego. Once reaching the badlands, the trail becomes narrow and more difficult, eventually leading to a pinch point impossible to pass through. The trail offers a few small, flat, secluded campsites.

Picacho Road is a gateway to numerous trails and outdoor activities. Its 17.6 miles of gravel and sand span several land agencies, including the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribal land, El Centro BLM, California State Recreation Area, and private mining property, all while showing off the Picacho Peak monolith in the distance. 

Most of the route is on BLM land, offering dozens of spur roads, abundant camping opportunities, and hiking trails. The southern half is mostly desert terrain on maintained gravel, while the northern portion is more rocky and rugged, with several miles of loose gravel and sandy washes cutting through small canyons. The road ends at Picacho State Park, where there is a fee to enter, whether day use or camping. There aren't any obstacles or difficult sections that 2WD can't handle.

Remnants of old and current mining activity, including the Picacho Mine Cemetery, are found throughout this area.

Another popular destination in this area is Valley of the Names, where visitors have created thousands of rock displays on the desert floor for over 70 years.