Driving the exciting West Side Road in Death Valley NP

West Side Road is a remote desert drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry Roads in Death Valley National Park.

West Side Road

Where is West Side Road?

The road is located in the eastern-central part of California, near the Nevada border, within Death Valley National Park. A historic route of the 20-mule team wagons, this road skirts the west side of Badwater Basin and provides access to 4WD roads leading into the canyons of the Panamint Mountains.

How long is West Side Road?

The road is totally unpaved. It’s a dusty dirt road running parallel to Badwater Road. The road is 57.61km (35.8 miles) long, starting and ending at Badwater Road.

How challenging is West Side Road?

A 4-wheel-drive vehicle is not necessary, but high clearance and thick tires are recommended due to washboard, deep gravel, and dust pockets. The Amargosa River crossing at the southern end may be impassable when flowing.

When is the best time to drive West Side Road?

Please note the remoteness of the location and the extreme environment. Solo off-road exploration in the low elevations of the park during summer months is not recommended. Due to frequent flooding in the area, road conditions often vary throughout the park.

 

 

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