Hole In The Wall Road ~ Death Valley

Highway 190 is the main travel route from southern Nevada to Death Valley and there are several points of interest to discover along the downhill run to the valley floor. The grade is steep and it is all too easy to just fly on by the lesser known attractions when entering the National Park on this road. One such opportunity that will pass by in a blink of an eye is Hole In The Wall Road. Only a small sign marks the access spot and it is very easy to overlook, especially since Mule Train Canyon is located across the street and it is one of the most picturesque attractions in Death Valley. 

Hole In The Wall Road is rated for high ground clearance 4x4 vehicles, but the first section of the road actually is smooth enough for a light duty SUV all the way to the narrow pass through the Hole In The Wall rock formation. Dispersed camping is allowed along this road and the first section is where most visitors prefer to hunker down for the night. A word of caution is necessary. because this entire area is a huge mountain dry wash, so if heavy rain is in the forecast it will be best to postpone the venture. 

The Hole In The Wall landmark is about as far as most visitors are willing to go, because the dirt road becomes much rougher from this point onward to Echo Canyon. The dirt road winds its way through a wide dry wash full of boulders to the end point at another popular dispersed camping spot next to Echo Canyon. The dry wash ridge is very easy to traverse by foot at the Echo Canyon access point, so this unique Death Valley attraction can be experienced by visitors of all ages, even in the dark. The dark of night definitely is the best time to experience the loud echo anomalies in this canyon and camping overnight at the end of Hole In The Wall Road is the best way to make it happen!