01
Best overall pick
Trona Pinnacles
Searles Valley South Of Trona • Otherworldly Desert Landmark • Iconic Must-See Stop
A surreal field of tufa towers just south of town, with easy wandering and big-sky desert views.[4][1]
Designated a National Natural Landmark, the Trona Pinnacles are made up of more than 500 tufa spires rising from the dry Searles Lake bed, some over 100 feet tall.[4][5] A short graded dirt road off CA-178 brings you to a broad basin where you can make your own route on faint tracks and use trails among the formations, keeping an eye on loose sand and uneven rock.[1][4] Come in the cooler months for more comfortable exploration and the soft light that really shows off the textures of the towers.[4]
02
Best extended outing
Trona Pinnacles OHV Route
Searles Valley Backroads • Wide-Open Desert Track • Best For A Longer Leg-Stretcher
A longer loop-style outing on the Trona Pinnacles OHV Route gives wide-angle perspectives of the entire spire field.[6]
According to local trail reviews, the Trona Pinnacles OHV Route is considered one of the best ways to experience the area on foot, following sandy tracks that circle and weave between the spires.[6] Expect roughly graded terrain with stretches of deep, loose sand, so sturdy footwear and good sun protection are a must.[1] Start early or late in the day to avoid the harshest heat and to catch the changing colors on the pinnacles as the light shifts.[4]
03
Most adventurous drive-and-hike
Goler Canyon Road
Panamint Range West Approach • Rugged Canyon Ramble • Best For Adventurous Hikers
A rough 4x4 road that doubles as a dramatic canyon walk, mixing geology, history, and real desert remoteness.[2]
Goler Canyon Road shows up as a popular summer outing for Trona-based hikers, who often park short of the roughest stretches and continue on foot into the narrows.[2] The route follows an old mining road into a colorful canyon, with steep walls, side gullies, and relics of Death Valley’s backcountry history along the way. Go with a high-clearance vehicle, carry plenty of water, and treat this as a remote desert hike where self-sufficiency matters.
04
Most off-the-radar
Fish Rocks OHV Trail
North Of Trona In The Mojave Backcountry • High-Desert Ridge And Boulder Walk • Best For Solitude Seekers
A little-used OHV track you can hike for big horizons, quiet ridges, and quirky boulder formations.[2]
Listed among Trona’s better summer routes, the Fish Rocks OHV Trail offers a choose-your-distance outing on rolling desert terrain with open views in nearly every direction.[2] Many hikers simply follow the track on foot, stepping off onto low ridges and rock piles for short scrambles and photo stops. There is almost no shade, so plan this one for a cool day or dawn start and be prepared for a very quiet, exposed desert experience.
05
Best nearby oasis
Darwin Falls Trail
Near Panamint Springs In Death Valley • Shady Desert Oasis Hike • Best Escape From The Heat
A short, mostly easy canyon hike to a rare year-round waterfall and lush grotto in the desert.
For a complete change of pace from Trona’s bare basins, drive over toward Panamint Springs and stretch your legs on the Darwin Falls Trail, where a small creek leads to a shaded waterfall. The route begins in a dry wash before narrowing into a cool canyon lined with willows and ferns, making it a welcome escape on warm days. It is a great add-on to a Trona-based road trip when you want a memorable hike that feels nothing like the surrounding desert.