The Long Way
Inyo County

Saline Valley Road Back Country Byway

Lone Pine, Inyo County, California. 4-wheel drive trail.

Details

Map. Lone Pine, Inyo County, California. Larger map
Where
Lone Pine, Inyo County, CA. No street address stated. Directions
Season
Especially comfortable during spring and fall, with temperatures ranging from 50-85 degrees.
Getting there
South Pass section from Highway 190 to the Warm Springs junction.
Fees
Visitors entering the park on a dirt road can pay the entry fee in advance on Recreation.gov and display a printed pass.
Access
Saline Valley primitive campground is partially open; Lower Springs is closed after the September 15 wildfire, while the camping area between Lower and Palm Springs is open.
Walk-in or reserve
does not offer reservations through Recreation.gov.
Phone
760-384-5400
Managed by
Bureau of Land Management Ridgecrest Field Office.

This popular 4-wheel drive trail takes you through some of Death Valley's most intriguing terrain. At the bottom of the Saline Valley you'll find a salt marsh, hosting a variety of wildlife and plants standing out in the otherwise sparse terrain.

Notable Events

  1. 1950sRecreational users developed soaking tubs and art installations starting in the 1950s. nps.gov
  2. 1994The site was managed by the Bureau of Land Management until it was transferred to NPS with the California Desert Protection Act in 1994. nps.gov

Sources

  1. fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/bywaysp/byway/2177
  2. nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/508-Backcountry-and-Wilderness-Access-map_.pdf
  3. nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/directions.htm
  4. nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
  5. nps.gov/deva/learn/news/saline-fire-9-18-2026.htm
  6. nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/saline-valley-campground-primitive.htm
  7. recreation.gov/camping/poi/10407028
  8. nsbfoundation.com/sb/saline-valley-road-back-country-byway
  9. nps.gov/deva/learn/news/saline-valley-warm-springs-plan-finalized.htm
  10. blm.gov/visit/inyo-mountains-wilderness