Panamint Valley
Panamint Valley is a high-desert salt basin nestled between the Panamint Range and Funeral Mountains in eastern California. Long and narrow, it delivers hot days and stark vistas — best explored in spring and fall when temps are cooler and snow-draped peaks are visible.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Great Basin |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Inyo County |
| District | Panamint Valley |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 36.2 |
| Longitude | -117.87 |
| Maps |
6:14 PM LOCAL TIMEPanamint Valley stretches roughly 50 miles from Death Valley northwest toward Big Pine, but its quintessential traverse runs from TR 190 near Ballarat east to Ubehebe Pass and the Death Valley floor. Surrounded by steep, rugged ranges — notably the Panamint Range to the west and the Funeral Mountains to the south — the valley offers dramatic vistas, open flats, and sparse desert vegetation. Popular access points include the paved Ubehebe Pass Road and unpaved routes from Saline Valley and Death Valley National Park; crossing the basin on longer overland routes requires high-clearance, and sometimes seasonal closures. Expect extreme daytime heat, especially in midsummer, and very low winter overnight lows; springs and fall generally provide the best conditions for desert hiking, camping, and photography. Land management is a patchwork of federal and state agencies, with dispersed camping and some designated day-use areas; check current regulations and water availability before visiting. Panamint Valley is excellent for adventure driving, wildlife viewing, and remote landscape photography — but it demands preparation, respect for the environment, and awareness of the risks posed by high heat and isolated terrain.
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