What to do and see in , Inyo County: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

March 24, 2022 Alice Mieles

Discover the best top things to do in , United States including Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, The Racetrack, Ubehebe Crater, Titus Canyon, Laws Railroad Museum, Artist's Drive, Artists Palette, Mosaic Canyon, Darwin Falls, Ballarat Ghost Town.
Restaurants in Inyo County

1. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

798 N Main St between Big Pine and Deep Springs, Bishop, CA 93514-2428 +1 760-873-2500 http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5129900
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 512 reviews

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Reviewed By 7268 - Oakland, United States

109 degrees in Bakersfield. 100 degrees in lone Pine. 74 degrees at the bristlecone Forest. This is a perfect four mile hike. You will see amazing scenery, 3000 year old trees, and fantastic geology. The hike is rated as moderate, but this is probably due to the frequent up and down – changes in elevation. The interpretive signs are some of the best I've ever seen. If you're not up for a 4-mile hike they have a 1-mile alternative. If you're not up for a hike at all, just drive up there and walk a hundred yards or so up the trail and you will see these amazing trees. It really helps to read up on the geology and the history of the trees before you get there. I stopped here on a web driving from Mammoth lakes to Bakersfield. I'm certainly glad I did. Note: September 2020, visitor Center was not open and there is no one at the gate a few miles up the road. There were plenty of other visitors, but you are definitely on your own. No mobile phone service at the trailhead. At high altitudes you might get a brief signal.

2. The Racetrack

Racetrack Valley Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/the-racetrack.htm
Excellent
72%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 272 reviews

The Racetrack

Unusual desert area where rocks move from place to place, but the actual movements have never been observed by humans.

Reviewed By 711lynnw - Kellyville, United States

We rented a Jeep from Farabee’s Jeep Rentals at Furnace Creek and, armed with water, maps, and a Spot GPS tracker, we hit the road to the Racetrack Playa. We were instructed to go 15 mph on the road, but due to the washboard rough conditions, we bumped it up to 35-40 mph and the ride smoothed out. There are a few areas with blind spots along the road to the racetrack but we slowed down in plenty of time and had no issues. The road is technically two-way but it is really only wide enough for one vehicle most of the time. When meeting an oncoming vehicle, one must pull off to the side a bit to allow the other to pass. We made it to the Grandstand in about 1 hour (from the start of the Racetrack Road) and we walked around the Grandstand for a bit and took some pictures. The views are great from atop the rocks. A little further down the road is the spot where the rocks have left tracks. To see many of the rocks requires a walk of about ½ mile. We saw several rocks, some with very faint tracks and others with much better trails. The walk out to the Grandstand and the Racetrack rocks is on smooth even ground (this was in December 2018). The parking areas are small but we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot. There are no facilities at either the Grandstand or Racetrack Playa. Even as remote as this place is, there was a good amount of traffic in and out. I highly recommend renting a Jeep from Farabee’s and saving the wear and tear on your own vehicle. The Jeep took the abuse we gave it and we had no issues at all. From Furnace Creek to the Playa and back will take about 8 hours.

3. Ubehebe Crater

Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-2331 http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 571 reviews

Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe and its little brother (a smaller crater) winningly tempt hikers down their steep and colorful slopes.

Reviewed By 58mads

I've never seen a crater before, and this one is easily accessible. You can see it from the parking lot. You can also walk down into it, but the uphill climb back up, I understand, is a little steep. I didn't go down. From Stovepipe Wells, where we stayed, it's an easy 30 mile drive on paved road. Well worth the trip.

4. Titus Canyon

Titus Canyon Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/titus-canyon.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 455 reviews

Titus Canyon

Perhaps the most memorable thing about this Death Valley canyon is the trip you'll take to it.

Reviewed By V6350LQrichardl - Cook, United States

Was one of, if not the best, dual-sport / adventure motorcycle rides I have ever done. Simply spectacular. Perfect for moderately skilled adventure motorcyclists, though may be a bit too much for a novice on a heavy bike. Would probably be fine for a novice on a light enduro, though note National Park rules restrict motorcycles to street legal bikes I think, which is good because it limits traffic. Would be no problem in any stock high clearance 4X4, though longbed pickups may not be able to get around some of the tight turns. On a Sunday at noon, I rode the whole trail and saw only one other party, a couple in a jeep, all of which contributed awesomely to the sense of isolation and wonder. The ascent from the east is unremarkable, and one may think, "What's the big deal?", but then you crest a couple passes and you are blessed with amazing views down into the narrow valley falls that away from you. Descending into it on narrow steep switchbacks through incredible, steep rock formations was so fun and visually stimulating. Every 30 seconds, you are saying, "Holy S***!" Ghost Town! Petroglyphs! After a couple miles of steep descent, one has the sense that you are about to emerge out of the valley, but you would be wrong! The valley floor, essentially a large dry riverbed extends another several miles, narrowing dramatically. Each new turn provides another seemingly even better view than the one just before. Finally, you get dumped out at the end of the canyon. I want to do it again!

5. Laws Railroad Museum

395 Silver Canyon Rd, Bishop, CA 93515 +1 760-873-5950 http://www.lawsmuseum.org/
Excellent
75%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 288 reviews

Laws Railroad Museum

Artifacts of the Railroad Era on display, from a Death Valley Railroad motor car to train tracks and historic buildings.

Reviewed By adoneforall - Julian, United States

This is an amazing place where you can walk in recreated historic buildings, dr, dressmaker, general store etc. they have a wonderful collection of items including an amazing native basket display. There is the railroad station and train, plus a great deal of old farm equipment which my husband loved. Don't forget the live sound mine experience. They also have a thrift store which we loved and bought some items. Wonderful setting.

6. Artist's Drive

Badwater Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://nps.gov/deva
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,751 reviews

Artist's Drive

Reviewed By WorldExplorer50 - Irvine, United States

Good thing this is a one-way drive to contain rogue tourists ... beautiful colors, suprisingly long drive (nearly 10 miles) through gorgeous mineral hills of varying colors. Sundown is wonderful as the sun hits the hills.

7. Artists Palette

11 mi south of Furnace Creek off Badwater Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://www.nps.gov/deva
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,012 reviews

Artists Palette

Reviewed By Escapethecold44 - Denver, United States

The drive up to Artists Palette was one of my favorites at Death Valley (loved that it was 1 way, the dips in the road are fun, and the scenery was stunning!). When you get to Artist Point, I recommend walking to the right on the near side of dry creek bed for good pictures and to see where the Sand Crawler was parked in the first Star Wars movie. We also walked down into the river bed below Artists Palette (this is where R2D2 gets attached). The green rocks were my favorite.

8. Mosaic Canyon

Route 190, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/mosaic-canyon.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 498 reviews

Mosaic Canyon

Reviewed By alisaj_12 - Santa Clarita, United States

This was one of my favorites in DV! Easy hike, is best at mid day. The sunlight on the marble veined walls is amazing. There are a few marble slides, the kids and adults will like, and if you've got a rock hound they'll be in heaven!

9. Darwin Falls

Death Valley National Park, CA
Excellent
61%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 135 reviews

Darwin Falls

Reviewed By Desert-Explore

Hard to imagine something like this exists in the middle of DV. Nice hike, beautiful area and a shirt distance from a great campground, Panamint Springs Resort

10. Ballarat Ghost Town

Death Valley National Park, CA
Excellent
19%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
11%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 64 reviews

Ballarat Ghost Town

This town was once a supply town for mines in the region and is a good stop during a driving tour of the valley.

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