Jubilee Pass Road – Death Valley National Park
The main entrance to the southern part of Death Valley National Park, connecting CA-127 to the south end of the Badwater Road/north end of the Harry Wade Road.
| Total Distance: 25.0 miles point to point | Elevation Gain: 2,016ft. up, 3,632ft. down east to west (3,292ft. to 25ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 0.6 | Bicycle Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | 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: No |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None along the Jubilee Pass Road. |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Moderate |
Uses:        | Road surface:  |
Features:   | Hazards:    |
Mile-by-Mile: Jubilee Pass Road
0.0 Jubilee Pass Road (CA-178)/CA-127 Junction (1,642ft.). Drive west toward Badwater. (35.996319°, -116.274909°)
5.8 Greenwater Valley Road (2,100ft.). On right. (35.966360°, -116.363601°)
6.8 Furnace Creek Wash Road (2,167ft.). On left. (35.961222°, -116.380566°)
10.8 Salsberry Pass (3,292ft.). Parking area on left. (35.926013°, -116.427620°)
12.0 Road (2,956ft.). On left. The road travels south about 4 miles to some old mine ruins about 35.880217°, -116.472085°; respect all property and any privacy signs. The road may be too rough to travel after 1.7 miles. (35.914162°, -116.442579°)
16.7 Road (1,762ft.). On right. Taking the left fork after 500ft. will take you about 1.4 miles north into the Black Mountains. Obey all privacy signs, as the road does pass some old buildings near Rhodes Spring; it may not be possible to continue on the very rough road beyond the buildings. Shortly after the spring, the road ends at approx. 35.935265°, -116.523332° at the mouth of an unnamed canyon. The right fork is a sketchy, sandy route up a wash that passes to the north of Rhodes Hill. (35.919329°, -116.523590°)
20.4 Jubilee Pass (1,318ft.). Continue down into Death Valley. (35.909927°, -116.578958°)
20.8 Road (1,181ft.). On right – the rough dirt road travels 1.4 miles north into the Black Mountains, ending approx. 35.9256587°, -116.5700885°. (35.912163°, -116.585847°)
23.6 Road (432ft.). On left. the rejoins the highway 0.4 miles later. (35.906749°, -116.63409°)
24.9 Harry Wade Road (44ft.). Drive north. The road passes through the desert and between rough hills. (35.263264°, -116.073067°)
25.0 Badwater Road. (25ft.). The road here turns north and becomes the Badwater Road. (35.899862°, -116.656804°)
History & More
The Jubilee Pass Road was initially constructed by miner Chester Pray, who began building the road in 1913 to transport ore out of southern Death Valley. Chester committed suicide at what would be called Suicide Pass (now Jubilee Pass), and construction was completed by Chester’s business partner, Jack Salsberry, for whom the other pass along the route was named. It took six months in sweltering summer heat to construct the road with a crew of 10 men.
Download Route Map
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Driving Directions
The eastern terminus is 1.7 miles north of Shoshone and 25.2 miles south of Death Valley Junction on CA-127. The west (north) terminus is at the south end of the Badwater Road, 45.6 miles south of where the Badwater Road meets CA-190 near Furnace Creek.
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.)