Old Dale Road
Traversing the Pinto Basin in the central part of Joshua Tree, 24-mile roundtrip Old Dale Road starts at the same point as Black Eagle Mine Road.
Plan Around Old Dale Road
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Old Dale Road Details
Traversing the Pinto Basin in the central part of Joshua Tree, Old Dale Road starts at the same point as Black Eagle Mine Road, which veers to the east while Old Dale Road heads north to the Dale Mining District outside the park. The road across Pinto Basin, a flat, sandy, dry-lake bed, is within the park boundary, and offers sites such as the Mission Well, Sunrise Well, and Gold Rose Well. The basin gives way to a steep hill as the road crosses the park boundary, and to the Gold Crown Road junction it's a further 17 miles one-way. Staying on the road all the way to Twentynine Palms Highway in the north is a 25-mile one-way trip, where drivers will pass a number of old mine sites, including the Golden Egg Mine, Gold Crown Mine, and Duplex Mine. A number of side roads veer off to visit other mines, as well. Drivers should be sure to stay on established roads, and should only attempt the trip with a high-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicle. If you experience a breakdown, it may be some time before another car passes, so carry extra water, oil and radiator hoses for the car. Bikes are welcome in Joshua Tree on any road open to vehicles, including backcountry roads.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
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Nearby Parks Around Old Dale Road
Compare nearby parks around Old Dale Road when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Old Dale Road
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Old Dale Road while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Black Eagle Mine Road
Beginning at the same point as Old Dale Road, Black Eagle Mine Road heads east along the southern edge of the Pinto Basin.
6.5 mi away
Cottonwood Campground
Cottonwood Campground is closest to the south entrance of the park.
6.5 mi away
Cottonwood Picnic Area
The shady Cottonwood Spring picnic area is located at the Cottonwood Spring Campground.
6.7 mi away
Cottonwood Visitor Center
The Cottonwood Visitor Center serves the Cottonwood Springs area of the park.
6.9 mi away
Mastodon Mine
The ruins of Mastodon Mine are easily accessible via the Mastodon Peak Trail in the Cottonwood Spring Oasis area.
