4×4 Road: Furnace Creek Wash Road – Death Valley National Park
A dirt road connecting the Jubilee Pass Road to CA-127 south of Shoshone, mostly along the north boundary of the Ibex Wilderness. This is an extension of the Greenwater Valley Road, which is sometimes also called the Furnace Creek Wash Road.
| Total Distance: 8.4 miles point-to-point | Elevation Gain: 33ft. up, 810ft. down (N-S) |
| Road Difficulty: 1.9; may be impassible after rain | Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult |
| 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: Leashed | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: No potable water | Overnight Options: None |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
Uses:         | Road surface:    |
Features:   | Hazards:       |
Mile-by-Mile: Furnace Creek Wash Road
0.0 Furnace Creek Wash Road (north end)/Jubilee Pass Road junction (2,165ft.). Travel south on the dirt road. The route mostly follows the course of Furnace Creek Wash (though the road is often not in the wash itself). (35.961222°, -116.380566°)
8.4 Furnace Creek Wash Road (south end)/CA-127 junction (1,388ft.). Turn left (north) to travel to Shoshone and Death Valley National Park or right (south) toward Baker and I-15. (35.901312°, -116.259485°)
History & More
This portion of the Furnace Creek Wash Road is significantly less popular than the portion to the north that is more often known as the Greenwater Valley Road.
Like most roads in the area, this one was created by miners and other early visitors trying to transport ore and supplies across the desert.
Much of the area to the south of the road is the Ibex Wilderness. Desert bighorn sheep are said to frequent the wilderness area. You may also see the remains of several old talc mines up in the hills.
Download Route Map
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Driving Directions
The north end is along the Jubilee Pass Road 6.8 miles west of CA-127 or 18.2 miles east of the Harry Wade Road. The south end is along CA-127 about 5.1 miles south of Shoshone or 9.5 miles north of Ibex Pass (51.2 miles north of I-15 in Baker, CA).
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.
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.)