Darwin Falls road closed to vehicles at Death Valley: what applies in 2026?

Direct answer

Darwin Falls road closed to vehicles, likely until Summer 2027

Exact conditions

Status: Not required; the stated access rule still applies
Applies to: vehicles
Place or corridor: Darwin Falls access road off CA-190 near Panamint Springs
Effective dates: January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
Release model: unpublished

Release detail: NPS says 'Likely to remain closed until Summer 2027' - an estimate, not a scheduled reopening. The end date on this rule encodes that estimate and should be treated as soft.

Exceptions and limits

Hikers can park on the shoulder of CA-190 and walk in.
Bicycles are permitted on the closed unpaved roads; motorcycles are not.

Official source

National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026

Darwin Falls: Road is completely gone in many places and will need either extensive import of road fill (expensive) or 'mining' of gravel from the nearby wash ... Likely to remain closed until Summer 2027. Hikers can park on the shoulder of CA-190 and walk in.

Alerts & Conditions - Death Valley National Park