Darwin Wash Road – Death Valley National Park
A gravel road used to access Darwin Falls Trailhead; the road continues as a 4×4 road to the semi-ghost town of Darwin. Note: The portion of the road in Death Valley National Park has been closed since August 2023.
| Total Distance: 12.5 miles point-to-point | Elevation Gain: 3,439ft. up, 774ft. down (2,095ft. to 4,984ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 1.3 for first 2.4 miles; 2.3 beyond | Bicycle Difficulty: Very Difficult |
| View Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 2.0 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: No potable water | Overnight Options: None until the road leaves Death Valley National Park after nearly 4 miles |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
Uses:         | Road surface:    |
Features:    | Hazards:       |
Mile-by-Mile: Darwin Wash Road
0.0 Dirt road off of CA-190 (2,096ft.). The gravel road winds up through a desert canyon, generally following the edge of Darwin Wash. At this point, it’s graded for low-clearance vehicles. (36.339979°, -117.480186°)
2.4 Darwin Falls Parking Area (2,495ft.). Non-4×4 travel ceases here. Some parts of the road are rougher than others. (36.328006°, -117.514413°)
3.3 Old mining road on left (south) (2,955ft.). Continue straight on the main road. (The mining road goes about 0.5 miles up into the mountains to some old prospects). (36.316869°, -117.510486°)
4.0 Old mining road on left (east) (3,392ft.). Continue straight on the main road. (The mining road winds about 0.8 miles up into the mountains to some old prospects). (36.309606°, -117.511915°)
4.1 Old mining roads on left (east) (3,414ft.). Two old roads depart in quick succession; they’re actually a half-mile loop. You are now outside of Death Valley National Park, and dispersed camping is permitted. (36.308122°, -117.511871°)
4.5 Old mining road in left (east) (3,565ft.). Continue straight on the main road. (The old mining road ascends about 1.25 miles to some old prospects.) (36.304731°, -117.515319°)
5.4 Old mining road on left (south) (3,649ft.). Continue straight on the main road. (The old mining road winds about 1.5 miles before ending in a wash – spurs off of the road wind into the mountains.) (36.296717°, -117.518276°)
6.25 Road to China Garden Spring on right (northwest) (3,260ft.). Continue straight on the main road, which turns down the wash and travels through a desert canyon. (The road to China Garden Spring is drivable, but it is a rough and very steep 1 mile, and should only be attempted by those with a lot of experience with sketchy dirt roads.) (36.303068, -117.524702)
7.75 Miller Springs on right (west) (3,475ft.). The ruins include a pump house and an old mill. Continue down the main road. (36.292153°, -117.537028°)
8.6 Road Junction (3,586ft.). The Ophir Road turns left here, following Darwin Wash and eventually looping around to Darwin. Go right here to complete the Darwin Wash Road and arrive in Darwin. Along the way, you’ll pass several old mining roads to various prospects. (36.281255°, -117.539349°)
12.5 Darwin (4,770ft.). Turn right to take the Darwin Road 5.5 miles out to CA-190. Straight is a dead end or just a few more dirt roads; left would take you down Ophir Road and back around to the “Road Junction” above. (36.268110°, -117.591820°)
History & More
The town of Darwin was named for Erasmus Darwin French, an army physician. After coming west in 1846 during the Mexican-American War, he prospected for silver in the mountains near the town.
Darwin is a semi-ghost town – people still live there. Be courteous of their privacy.
Make sure to follow NPS rules within the park and the local rules outside of the park.
Download Trail Map
Coming soon!
Driving Directions
From the Panamint Springs Resort, drive CA-190 west (toward Los Angeles) for 0.9 miles to a dirt road on the left. From the west, drive 6.9 miles east of Father Crowley Vista to the dirt road on the right.
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.)