At the southern end of Owens Valley, the broad, curved dunes of the Olancha Dunes OHV Recreation Area lie between the Sierra Nevada and Coso Range. For your trip to Olancha, you can focus on three themes: motorized rides in the dune area, trails to scenic destinations, and the history of Farley's Olancha Mill Site.
Dunes and Off-Highway Riding
The riding area covers about 1,000 acres. The dunes are short and gently sloped, reaching up to 75 feet in height. The area is suitable for off-highway riding with motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. This makes it a different kind of destination from trails explored on foot.
Primitive campsites are available in the dune area; primitive camping is also permitted on the surrounding public lands. The dune area also has OHV staging and unloading areas. This information is useful if you want to include motorized rides and a simple night outdoors in your plans.
Trails and Camping Outdoors
The Olancha and Haiwee Pass Trails provide access to the South Sierra Wilderness, the Monache Meadows area, and the Pacific Crest Trail. You can therefore plan your hike around a specific destination: the wilderness area, Monache Meadows, or the long-distance trail. In the area near Olancha, Olancha Pass is accessible from U.S. 395 south of town via Sage Flat Road.
Some landmarks are located at different trailheads: the Olancha Trailhead sits at an elevation of 5,790 feet; corrals are available at the Olancha Pass Trailhead. Dispersed camping is permitted at the trailheads of the Olancha and Haiwee Pass Trails. For overnight stays in the South Sierra Wilderness, the Forest Service recommends permits in a trail guide dated January 2017. Check the current requirements before staying overnight.
Near Owens Lake, the Owens Lake Trails offer four miles of walking paths, viewpoints, and land art installations. These trails differ markedly from the dune area's focus on motorized riding: here, the emphasis is on walking paths, views, and art in the landscape.
Mill History and Road Connection
Farley's Olancha Mill Site is located on State Highway 395 at Fall Road, 0.6 miles south of Olancha. It is listed as California Registered Historical Landmark No. 796; the designation was made on September 16, 1964. The first mill and the first smelter in Owens River Valley were completed there by December 1862.
Olancha has been a way station since its founding in the 1860s. The road connection has also played a role in navigating the region: the opening of the State Route 190 connection was announced on December 19, 2024. The connection links the new U.S. 395 lanes via Grant, Olancha, and Cartago to the existing alignment of old U.S. 395. It makes it easier for northbound traffic to navigate to Death Valley National Park and access services in Olancha and Cartago.
One of the region's natural landmarks is the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep: its range extends south to Olancha Peak. On March 25 and 26, 2013, ten pregnant ewes and four rams were released in Olancha, with the aim of establishing a new herd. This adds a concrete glimpse into the local history of species conservation to the landscape and trail themes.
Discover more destinations: Independence, Lone Pine, Bishop, Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells, Tecopa, Death Valley Junction, Big Pine.
For the main travel overview: Inyo.
