Getting Oriented
The road begins on Nevada's State Highway 374, two miles east of Rhyolite ghost town and the Bullfrog Mining District. From Beatty, Nevada it's a 12-mile drive south on SR-374 to the eastern entrance. The road runs west into California, climbs through the Grapevine Mountains, and exits on Scotty's Castle Road north of Stovepipe Wells. The route is fully within Death Valley National Park.
Trail Overview
The drive opens with a 1,500-foot climb to Red Pass through Titanothere Canyon, named for the prehistoric mammals whose fossils appear in the rock layers. From the pass the road drops 1,300 feet in five miles past the abandoned Leadfield mining camp, where stone foundations and a tin shack mark a 1925 silver-rush boomtown that lasted six months. Below Leadfield the road follows a wash to Klare Spring, where Native American petroglyphs cover the canyon walls.
The final section squeezes through Titus Canyon proper, a narrow slot canyon where vertical walls rise 500 feet over a one-lane road. The canyon opens onto Death Valley's floor with views across to the Panamint Range. Drive time is two to three hours without stops; budget four to six with a Leadfield walk and Klare Spring petroglyph viewing.
Points of Interest
- Leadfield ghost town. A 1925 silver-rush camp that lasted less than a year. Stone foundations and a tin shack remain.
- Klare Spring petroglyphs. Pre-contact Native American rock art on canyon walls. Federally protected.
- Red Pass. The 5,250-foot summit between Titanothere and Titus canyons.
- Titus Canyon narrows. The slot canyon where walls rise 500 feet over a single-lane road.
- Rhyolite ghost town. Bonus stop at the Nevada-side trailhead, with substantial early-1900s mining-town ruins.
Where to Camp
The road itself has no developed camping. Mesquite Spring Campground sits 12 miles south of the western terminus on Scotty's Castle Road. Stovepipe Wells Campground is 35 miles south on Death Valley Road. Backcountry roadside camping is allowed elsewhere in the park subject to Death Valley's specific rules.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Visit October through May. Summer temperatures top 110°F on the canyon floor.
- Check the road status before driving. NPS closes Titus Canyon during predicted rain and winter snow at Red Pass.
- Run east to west. The road is one-way for almost the entire 27 miles. Reverse traffic is illegal and dangerous.
- Carry water; there is no potable water on the road.
- Cell service is unavailable. Carry an offline map.
- Do not touch the petroglyphs at Klare Spring. They are federally protected.
- Park admission is required (Death Valley NP entry fee or America the Beautiful pass).
- Contact Death Valley National Park at 760-786-3200 for current conditions.
