Furnace Townsite Road – Death Valley National Park
Take a high clearance dirt road off of the Greenwater Valley Road to the quiet site of a tent city.
| Total Distance: 4.0 miles point-to-point (dead end) | Elevation Gain: 1,582ft. up, 4ft. down (3,480ft. to 5,057ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 1.8 (high clearance required) | Bicycle Difficulty: Very 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: None | Overnight Options: Yes at least 1 mile from the Greenwater Valley Road |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
Uses:         | Road surface:    |
Features:    | Hazards:      |
Mile-by-Mile: Furnace Townsite Road
0.0 Furnace Townsite Road Junction on the Greenwater Valley Road (3,480ft.). Turn south onto the road to the townsite of Furnace. The road travels through scrubland. (36.235353°, -116.637157°)
1.8 Greenwater Townsite Road (North) Junction on left (east) (4,030ft.). Take the right fork to continue southwest (not south, which would take you over toward the townsite of Greenwater). (36.211171°, -116.650249°)
3.5 Greenwater Townsite Road (South) Junction on left (east) (4,768ft.). Take the right fork to continue south. The sideroad would also take you to the Greenwater Townsite. (36.191456°, -116.664876°)
3.7 Road split (4,909ft.). You want to take the left fork. The right fork goes high into the mountains. About 0.2 miles later, the road splits again. You can go either way as both will take you up to the townsite. (36.188626°, -116.667868°)
4.0 Furnace Townsite (5,057ft.). Explore respectfully and be careful of open audits. The road continues up to more audits. (36.187253°, -116.671430°)
History & More
The town of Furnace was created as part of the Greenwater mining boom near the Furnace Creek copper mine.
A post office was established in Furnace in 1907 under the direction of Mr. Sidney Norman, but it closed less than a year later. Strangely, the USPS doesn’t have records showing that the office existed.
Most of the “buildings” in Furnace were nothing more than tents. Very little remains to remind visitors of the town that once sat here besides some boards, cans, other debris, and a few mine shafts.
In February of 1907, it was reported that the town of Furnace had a population of 500. Most of the men worked at the Furnace Creek Mines.
The town of Furnace was abandoned as the miners moved to more up-and-coming towns like Greenwater and Ramsey.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The Furnace Townsite Road begins on the Greenwater Valley Road, 2.8 miles south of Dantes View Road and 25.5 miles north of Jubilee Pass Road.
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.)