Nevada Triangle

The Nevada Triangle is the portion of Death Valley National Park that extends into Nevada. It is a remote, sparsely visited wedge of high desert and mountain terrain in the Grapevine Mountains and adjacent areas near the California–Nevada border, primarily accessed from the east via U.S. Highway 95 near Beatty, Nevada.

Geography

The Nevada Triangle occupies the northeastern corner of the park and includes most of the higher elevations of the Grapevine Mountains along with surrounding alluvial fans, canyons, and flats (such as parts of Sarcobatus Flat). Elevations rise from the lower desert basins near the highway into pinyon-juniper woodlands and rocky ridges, with peaks exceeding 8,000 feet (Grapevine Peak reaches about 8,738 feet).

The landscape features rugged canyons, steep rocky slopes, sparse high-desert vegetation that transitions into denser woodlands at higher elevations, scattered springs, and expansive views westward into northern Death Valley and toward the Sierra Nevada on clear days. It is one of the least-visited sections of the park—quiet backcountry with minimal development. Access is almost entirely via unmaintained dirt roads that require high-clearance vehicles and often 4WD, especially in the upper canyons. Road conditions can change rapidly due to flash flooding.

History

The area was added to Death Valley National Monument in 1937 by presidential proclamation under Franklin D. Roosevelt; it later became part of the expanded national park in 1994.

Long before park designation, the region formed part of the broader Bullfrog Mining District. The famous Rhyolite gold rush of 1904–1911 (sparked by discoveries just south of the Triangle) brought prospectors, camps, and claims into the surrounding hills. Most large-scale activity centered on Rhyolite and nearby Bullfrog, but smaller prospects and woodcutting camps appeared in the Grapevine Mountains.

Later, more modest operations continued into the 1930s. The Phinney Mine (a small two-person gold operation active roughly 1930–1938) and the nearby Strozzi Ranch (a seasonal ranch homesteaded around 1931 by Caesar Strozzi and used into the 1940s) are among the better-documented historic sites. The Triangle also contains remnants of earlier woodcutting and minor mining that supported the Rhyolite-era camps. Today the area preserves a quiet mix of mining and ranching history within a rugged wilderness setting.

Points of Interest

• Phinney Canyon Road and Phinney Canyon — A long dirt road (roughly 20+ miles one-way from Highway 95) that crosses open flats before climbing into the canyon and pinyon woodland. It leads toward a high pass with expansive views. The upper section is often washed out and may be impassable. A short hike reaches the historic Phinney Mine ruins.
• Strozzi Ranch — Reached via a branch of the same road system. Remains of the 1930s ranch (buildings, dugouts, and related structures) sit in a remote setting near springs.
• Phinney Mine — A small 1930s gold prospect with tunnel workings, ore-car tracks, and cabin remnants; accessible by a short side hike from the canyon road.
• Other backcountry routes — Including McDonald Spring Road and Mud Summit Road, which provide access to additional springs, minor mine sites (such as the historic Happy Hooligan/Hooligan Mine), and high country.
• High peaks and views — Grapevine Peak and nearby summits offer challenging off-trail hikes with panoramic vistas of the Grapevine Mountains and northern Death Valley.
• Proximity to Rhyolite — The well-known ghost town of Rhyolite (and the Goldwell Open Air Museum) lies just outside the park boundary to the south and serves as a natural gateway and historical context for the Triangle.

The Nevada Triangle rewards visitors seeking solitude, high-desert scenery, and lesser-known historic sites rather than the park’s more famous low-elevation attractions. Always check current road conditions with the National Park Service before traveling, carry extra water and supplies, and be prepared for remote, self-reliant travel.

Points of Interest