Driving the exciting West Side Road in Death Valley NP
West Side Road is a remote desert drive located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.
Located in Death Valley National Park, the road is totally unpaved. It’s a dusty dirt road running parallel to Badwater 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. Amargosa River crossing at southern end may be impassable when flowing. Please note the remoteness of the location and the extreme environment.
Due to frequent flooding in the area, road conditions often vary throughout the park. The road is 57.61km (35.8 miles) long, starting and ending at Badwater Road. This trail passes through remote areas, so you need to be prepared. For the most up-to-date information on road conditions, visit Death Valley’s website at nps.gov/deva. 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 canyons of the Panamint Mountains. Not recommended any solo off-road exploration in the low elevations of the park during the summer months.