Beatty Cutoff Road – Death Valley National Park
Photo credit Joy Whiting, All Rights Reserved
Cutoff road between CA-190 and the Daylight Pass Road. The southern end is at Beatty Junction and the northern end is at Hell’s Gate.
| Total Distance: 10.0 miles point to point | Elevation Gain: 2,502ft. gain, 32ft. loss (-201ft. to 2,269ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 0.6 | Bicycle Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | 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: No |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Amenities: Primitive restroom at Hell’s Gate | Crowd Factor: Moderate |
Uses:        | Road surface:  |
Features:   | Hazards:    |
Mile-by-Mile: Beatty Cutoff Road
0.0 Beatty Cutoff Road at Beatty Junction on CA-190 (-201ft.). Turn north on the Beatty Cutoff Road. (36.588024°, -116.943335°)
5.7 Keane Wonder Access Road on right (east) (890ft.). Continue north on the paved road. (36.667109°, -116.954438°)
10.0 Hell’s Gate/Daylight Pass Road Junction (2,264ft.). Turn left (west) to access the Scotty’s Castle Road or right to drive toward Beatty. (36.723856°, -116.977926°)
History & More
It’s likely that the Beatty Cutoff Road was constructed by miners in the region. After Jack Keane discovered gold ore in the Funeral Mountains, the area has heavily prospected. This was after several ore booms higher in the mountains – including up near Chloride Cliffs.
The Beatty Cutoff Road is deceptively steep, climbing about 2,500 feet in just 10 miles. Sunset from the small parking area at Hell’s Gate (complete with a signboard, picnic table, and primitive restroom) is breathtaking.
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Driving Directions
From Furnace Creek, drive north on CA-190W. The Beatty Cutoff is on right after 10.6 miles.
From Stovepipe Wells, drive east on CA-190E. The Beatty Cutoff is on left 6.5 miles east of Scotty’s Castle Road.
You can also access the Beatty Cutoff on the Daylight Pass Road, 6.7 miles east of Scotty’s Castle Road or 6.2 miles west of Daylight Pass.
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
Click here for 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.)
Beatty Cutoff Road
The Beatty Cutoff Road is scenic, though less so than almost any other road in the immediate area. It also has one direction – up (if you’re coming from Furnace Creek) or down (from Hell’s Gate). In fact, you’ll change over 2,000ft. over 10 miles – or about 200ft. elevation gain every mile.
I usually start out from the south and work my way north, so that’s the way I’ll present it here. Turn off of CA-190 about 10.6 miles north of Furnace Creek or 6.5 miles east of Scotty’s Castle Road. This junction is called “Beatty Junction.” The road immediately begins climbing through desert scrubland with the Funeral Mountains on the right (east).
Keep driving up through rarely varying scenery (though a few hills do present themselves) past the gravel access road to the Keane Wonder Mine at mile 5.7. The views toward the old mine buildings are especially interesting in the early morning light.
At exactly 10 miles from Beatty Junction, you’ll come to Hell’s Gate, also known as the north end of the Beatty Cutoff Road at the Daylight Pass Road. Across the road are an information kiosk, primitive restroom, and picnic table. The views here are quite good of Death Valley and the nearby Death Valley Buttes.
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