What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
The Trona Pinnacles area features several trails that offer a unique hiking experience. These trails range from easy to moderate, taking visitors through scenic desert landscapes and past unique geological formations.
Trona Pinnacles OHV Route
The Trona Pinnacles OHV Route is a hiking trail that runs from the main road to the Trona Pinnacles.
Length: 12.4 Miles
Intensity: Easy
Pleasant Canyon OHV Loop Trail
The Pleasant Canyon OHV Loop Trail is a 26.1-mile trail that leads to the Briggs Mine Adopt-a-Cabin. This trail is quite challenging. It takes visitors on a scenic, high-elevation trail with numerous mines and structures to explore, particularly at Clair Camp.
Length: 26.1 Miles
Intensity: Hard
Goler Canyon Road
The Goler Canyon Road features several captivating mines and cabins along its trail, including the Charles Manson Hideout Camp in the nearby ghost town of Ballarat.
Length: 10.9 Miles
Intensity: Moderate
Needle Peak
The Needle Peak trail is located in the heart of the Death Valley National Park. It is a remote mountain summit that can be accessed through the Butte Valley region.
Length: 6.2 Miles
Intensity: Hard
Wildlife Viewing
During your BLM RV camping stay at the Trona Pinnacles, you may encounter a variety of wild animals, such as lizards, snakes, rabbits, coyotes, and a wide range of bird species. The area is also home to a few rare and endangered wildlife species, such as the desert tortoise and the bighorn sheep. Visitors are advised to maintain a safe distance from any wildlife they encounter and not disturb their natural habitats.
Picnicking
Picnicking is a popular activity at the Trona Pinnacles. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy eating and drinking at the site's designated picnic areas. These areas offer visitors a chance to relax, take in the beautiful scenery, and enjoy a meal in the midst of the unique geological formations.
Geology and History
The Trona Pinnacles spread across a 14-square-mile area of the Searles Lake basin. They consist of over 500 tufa spires made of calcium carbonate. Ranging from small, coral-like boulders to towering spires reaching over 140 feet tall, the Trona Pinnacles are an awe-inspiring sight. Formed between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago, the Trona Pinnacles began to emerge when Searles Lake was part of a series of connected lakes that extended from Owens Valley to Death Valley. During the Pleistocene era, this area was submerged under 640 feet of water. Today, visitors can witness the remarkable geological history of the Trona Pinnacles firsthand.
