Trona Pinnacles - Exploring California's Desert Towers

The Trona Pinnacles are a stunning and unique geological formation located in the California Desert. They are known for striking tufa spires that rise dramatically from the Searles Lake basin, some reaching heights of up to 140 feet, these natural wonders offer visitors a glimpse into the Earth’s ancient past.

Situated in the California Desert Conservation Area, about 10 miles south of the small town of Trona, the Trona Pinnacles are one of the most visually captivating landscapes in the western United States. The area offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, including hiking, camping, off-roading and overlanding.

This expansive site features a variety of tufa formations that range from towering spires to smaller, stubby “tombstones” and “cones.” These formations are the result of a combination of calcium-rich groundwater and alkaline lake water, which over thousands of years has produced these remarkable spires.

Visitors to the Trona Pinnacles will find a range of activities, from photography and film shoots to hiking and stargazing. This area’s otherworldly appearance has made it a popular location for commercials and films, including Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. The remote location provides an excellent opportunity for quiet reflection and exploration in a truly unique desert landscape.

Destination Details

Season	Year-round (best visited in cooler months)
Location	California Desert Conservation Area, San Bernardino County
General GPS Coordinates	35.6178707, -117.369232
Management	Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Size	688 acres
Nearest Major City	Ridgecrest, CA (20 miles)

Getting to Trona Pinnacles

To reach the Trona Pinnacles from Ridgecrest, head southeast on State Route 178 for approximately 12 miles. Turn onto a BLM-maintained dirt road (RM143) heading toward the Pinnacles, which is about 5 miles from the highway.

The road is typically accessible for 2-wheel-drive vehicles, although it can become impassable after heavy rains. It’s advisable to check road conditions before visiting.

Destination Overview

The Trona Pinnacles are located in the Searles Valley, surrounded by a desert landscape with dry, cracked earth and the stark backdrop of nearby mountain ranges.

The formations were created between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago during the Pleistocene era, when ancient lakes covered much of the region. Over time, calcium deposits from the lakes formed the tufa towers that now characterize the area.

This fascinating landscape is divided into three main groups based on the age of the formations. The northern group is the youngest, featuring the tallest spires and sharp, distinct shapes. The middle group includes some of the tallest formations, while the southern group is the oldest, with the largest number of smaller, more weathered formations.

What to Do

Trona Pinnacles offers a variety of outdoor activities for adventurers, including hiking, off-roading, overlanding, and camping. Hikers can explore informal trails winding through the striking tufa formations while off-roading and overlanding enthusiasts can traverse the area’s dirt roads, which lead to breathtaking viewpoints and remote landscapes.

Trona Pinnacles Camping — Camping in Trona Pinnacles

For those seeking a more immersive desert experience, dispersed camping provides the opportunity to camp beneath the stars in a quiet, rugged environment. Whether you’re navigating the rugged terrain in a 4×4 or enjoying a peaceful night under the desert sky, Trona Pinnacles offers a memorable escape into California’s Mojave Desert.

Though there are no developed facilities at the site—aside from a vault toilet—visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, and stargazing in the quiet, remote environment. The Pinnacles are part of a designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern, so it’s important to follow Leave No Trace principles to protect the delicate desert ecosystem.

While the Trona Pinnacles are accessible year-round, the best time to visit is in the cooler months, from October to April. In the summer, temperatures can soar, making hiking and exploration more challenging.

Camping

Camping at Trona Pinnacles is all dispersed camping with no designated campsites. It’s free and doesn’t require a permit, but please try to follow Leave No Trace principles and leave the landscape the way you found it. Visitors should also note that there is no potable water, so bring plenty of supplies and pack out all trash.

Trona Pinnacles can be a great stop on trip to Death Valley, as they are fairly close to one another.