Inyo Mine
The Inyo Mine was one of the more successful of the Death Valley gold-rush mines.
Plan Around Inyo Mine
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Inyo Mine Details
Inyo Mine was one of the more productive operations during the early 1900s gold rushes that rippled across Death Valley. Located in Echo Canyon, the mine helped spark the nearby boomtown of Schwab. When the financial panic of 1907 shook investor confidence, funding dried up and operations largely ceased. Like many desert mines, Inyo saw intermittent revivals over the years before closing for good in 1938. Today, the site remains one of the more intact historic mining areas in the park. Visitors will find several weathered buildings, miner cabins, and a substantial collection of rusting equipment scattered across the hillside. Remnants include an ore loader, sections of track, a decaying ball mill, diesel engines, mixing vats, and chutes climbing toward the main mine openings. Multiple shafts remain open, and extreme caution is advised as abandoned mines are unstable and dangerous. Access is via Echo Canyon Road, a dirt route off Highway 190 just north of Zabriskie Point. The road is approximately nine miles one way and is typically heavily washboarded with sections of soft gravel and narrow canyon passages. A high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and while four wheel drive is not always required to reach the mine itself, it may be necessary depending on current conditions. Beyond the Inyo Mine junction, Echo Canyon becomes significantly rougher and suitable only for experienced four wheel drivers. The drive into Echo Canyon passes through narrow slot sections and striking desert scenery, making the journey part of the experience. There are designated backcountry camping areas along the route, but permits are required for overnight camping. No permit is required for day use. As with all historic sites in Death Valley National Park, artifacts and structures are protected. Visitors should leave everything exactly as found and avoid entering unstable mine openings. Road conditions and access are subject to change.
Difficulty
Low
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Nearby Parks Around Inyo Mine
Compare nearby parks around Inyo Mine when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Inyo Mine
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Inyo Mine while the map context is still fresh.
1.0 mi away
Amargosa Range
This 110-mile-long mountain range forms the east side of Death Valley.
4.5 mi away
Eye of the Needle
Eye of the Needle is a small natural arch made of jumbled rock in Echo Canyon.
6.1 mi away
Lee Camp Ghost Town
Lee Camp can be reached via the Echo Canyon road, which also accesses the Inyo Mine and the Schwab and Echo ghost towns.
6.3 mi away
Echo Canyon Road
Echo Canyon Road runs 10 miles to Inyo Mine from its starting point on Highway 190.
6.4 mi away
Funeral Mountains Wilderness Area
This rarely visited 25,000-acre wilderness is accessible from Highway 190 or Highway 127.
