Fossil Bed Road

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Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Length:	16.89 miles
Highest Elevation:	2807 feet
Duration:	About 2 hours
Shape of Trail:	Connector
Best Direction to Travel:	West
Nearest Town:	Barstow
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Barstow
Official Road Name:	Fossil Bed Road
Management Agency:	Bureau of Land Management
District:	California Desert District

Highlights

This trail starts as Fossil Bed Road and then diverts to the right at a Y. The diverted section is a long, straight, dirt and rock road that travels west across a portion of the eastern Mojave Desert, and eventually along the southern border of the Black Mountain Wilderness. This trail is a connecting trail that provides access to many trails and points of interest. These include Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark, Owl Canyon Campground, Coons Canyon hiking trail, Fossil Canyon hiking trail, Opal Mountain Road, Hinkley Road, and Black Canyon Road. The connecting trails also lead to other points of interest such as Inscription Canyon, Scouts Cove, and Copper City Road.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( MODERATE )

Waypoints

1. Start Fossil Bed Road (0 mi)

From Irwin Road, approximately 6 miles from Barstow, turn left onto Fossil Bed Road. From here on the roadway is graded dirt/gravel.

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Barstow, California

Take 1st Street north until reaching Irwin Road. Then turn left onto Irwin Road and travel north for about 6 miles until reaching Fossil Bed Road on the left.

Camping

Dispersed

Designated

Trail Reviews (2)

Questions & Answers (1)

Q: Would a Subaru Outback be able to go on this trail.

–randy talsma (04/20/2020)

–Clifford (Cliff) Bennett (04/21/2020)

Writer Information

Clifford (Cliff) Bennett

Mapping Crew - California

A native Californian that has extensively traveled the Pacific Southwest, and now retired from an Engineering career with much time to spend off road. I enjoy off road travel exploring, and camping. Because I have the luxury of spending my days as I want, I am most interested in traveling overland and camping in dispersed sites. One thing I like about TrialsOffroad is the vast information about trails I have not traveled, and, to be able to set up a base camp and visit the nearby published trails. Thanks for the opportunity to be involved; I look forward to meeting many of you on the Trail.

Barstow, California (San Bernardino County)