Quail Spring & Dry Lake – Death Valley National Park
Follow an old road to a spring and cabin in the Quail Mountains.
| Total Distance: 9.2 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,579ft. (2,603ft. to 4,104ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 3.0 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: No | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None (do not go south into the Fort Irwin Military Reservation) |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 2.0 4×4 appreciated, though high clearance may be ok in dry weather | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:     |
Features:       | Hazards:        |
Mile-by-Mile: Quail Spring & Dry Lake
0.0 Old road heading south from the Owl Hole Spring Road (2,603ft.). Hike south on the old road. It is in fairly good condition as it was in use until 1994, when the area was designated wilderness. It was added to Death Valley National Park in 2019. (35.684975°, -116.843314°)
0.9 Old road comes in from left (2,819ft.). The side-road may or may not be visible. Continue south. (35.673609°, -116.848527°)
1.6 Road enters the wash (3,047ft.). Walk south up the wash. Keep your eyes open for wild burros that frequent the area. (35.663781°, -116.852704°)
2.5 Road leaves the wash (3,358ft.). Turn south (left) out of the wash to follow the road south. If you want a slightly shorter hike, just continue to follow the wash; you’ll pick up the road again at “4.4 Enter Wash” (see below). (35.653213°, -116.859394°)
2.7 Road Split (3,422ft.). The road splits – take the left fork as it winds south and occasionally east. (Note: If you go right at this junction, you can cut off a short distance and the Dry Lake and return to the main road approx. 35.643166°, -116.861942°). (35.650791°, -116.858688°)
3.25 Dry Lake (3,539ft.). Take a hard right to stay on the main road. A few old prospects may be found above the south side of the lake. Beyond the east end of the lake, the road continues; however, it enters the Fort Irwin Military Area, which is closed to unauthorized personnel (aka normal people like you and me). (35.644608°, -116.852866°)
4.4 Enter wash (3,919ft.). Turn south upstream toward the colorful hill. (35.636992°, -116.867524°)
4.5 Wash splits (3,999ft.). You can turn left (east) to follow the wash up to the spring; this route requires some scrambling up dryfalls. For an easier route, turn right for a few feet to the next wash on the left. Turn left to follow the old road up the hillside and down into the wash above the dryfalls. (35.634961°, -116.867633°)
4.6 Quail Spring Cabin (4,104ft.). The cabin has been allowed to fall into disrepair since the road was closed in 1994. The spring (often described as a puddle, or invisible altogether) is nearby. (35.633795°, -116.867402°)
History & More
Quail Spring and the nearby cabin was a “popular” place to visit prior to 1994, when the area was given a wilderness designation. In 2019, the Dingell Act added 87,999 acres of wilderness to Death Valley National Park – including the Quail Mountains.
Keep your eyes open for wildlife, especially near the spring. The best time to spot animals is around dawn and dusk, though the wild burros – descendants of escaped domesticated animals brought to Death Valley by various miners – seem to be along the route at any time of day.
The cabin near Quail Spring was likely built by miners in the early 1900s, though it appears people have used it for recreation in much more recent decades.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The road begins along the Owl Hole Spring Road, 23.6 miles from its beginning at the junction with the Harry Wade Road. It is located 12.4 miles west of the Randsburg Road Junction.
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.)