Death Valley is a place where history, geology, and adventure collide, and one of the most fascinating, and sobering destinations tucked into its rugged backcountry is Barker Ranch. Our recent New Year’s camping trip with friends took us deep into this remote corner of the park, combining scenic desert travel, ghost town exploration, and a trail steeped in infamous American history. I love Death Valley and have been visiting the park for over 10 years but had yet to head up Goler Wash to check out Charles Manson’s hideout.
We began by fueling up at Panamint Springs, gas stations are few and far between so when you get a chance, topping off the tank is a wise idea. There’s also a good restaurant here, so we had breakfast too. From there, we headed down to Panamint Valley Road, turned south again onto Trona Wildrose Road, and then made a left onto Ballarat Road. This stretch of pavement and graded dirt is an easy drive and leads directly to Ballarat Ghost Town.
Ballarat Ghost Town: A Worthwhile Stop
Ballarat is one of those places you can’t help but poke around and explore. Once a supply hub for nearby mining operations, it now sits quietly in the desert, offering a glimpse into Death Valley’s past. We explored the old jail and morgue, wandered among grave sites, and examined rusting vehicles and mining machinery slowly being reclaimed by the desert.
Recent heavy rain on Christmas eve had transformed the normally dry lakebed near Ballarat into something entirely different. Driving out, it felt more like crossing a shallow lake than a desert playa, a rare and memorable sight in this part of California. We had heard about kayaking going on at Badwater but didn’t get over there on this trip.
Ballarat is easily accessible by any Bronco or Sport, making it a perfect roadside stop if you’re passing through the area. Even a short visit adds depth to any Death Valley trip. Although this is technically not part of the park, it is part of the history of the area. There’s no charge to visit but we did see a donation box, and they had drinks and snacks for sale. There’s also a good restroom here!
Goler Wash and the Road to Barker Ranch
From Ballarat, we continued south on a dirt route marked on maps as Wingate Road, with additional signs indicating directions to our destination, Goler Wash. This is where the terrain changes dramatically, and where the real adventure begins. It’s about 15 miles along the lakebed before reaching the canyon entrance. Along the way, we had lots of good views and even some curious donkeys.
The drive up Goler Wash is incredible in its own right. The canyon narrows, the road steepens, and rocky ledges begin to appear. There are several sections that benefit from careful tire placement and occasional spotting, especially as the wash tightens. While the trail was easy for our Bronco Raptor, it’s also very doable in standard Broncos as well. A rear locker is strongly recommended, and drivers should be mindful of tight sections that can test wider or longer vehicles. There’s one tight rock right near the Death Valley boundary that would test a full-sized truck.
At the entrance to the wash, while still on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, a warning sign noted that the road was closed at the junction with West Side Road. This is several miles beyond Barker Ranch, meaning this trip would be an out-and-back. It’s on the list for a full transit though, next time.
Barker Ranch: A Notorious Chapter in Death Valley History
Barker Ranch is best known as the hideout used by Charles Manson and his followers after the murders committed by the so-called “Manson Family” in 1969. I had long heard about the ranch’s location in Death Valley, and during our New Year’s trip I asked the group if we could make the detour. Standing there in person brings a sense of gravity that photos and stories can’t quite convey.
When Manson was eventually captured at Barker Ranch, he was initially arrested not for murder, but for vandalism, specifically for setting fire to a loader owned by what was then Death Valley National Monument. Authorities later discovered stolen vehicles on site and had received reports of strange “hippie” groups living at the ranch.
In total, twenty-six people were arrested during the raid. Charles Manson himself was found hiding underneath the bathroom sink. Although the main building at Barker Ranch has since burned down, the remnants of the bathroom are still clearly visible, along with the spot where he hid. Darin demonstrates in the photo below.
It wasn’t until weeks later, after one member of the group bragged in jail about committing murder, that authorities realized the true significance of who they had taken into custody. Charles Manson died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83.
More History Along the Way
Beyond Barker Ranch, the area offers even more to explore. We stopped to check out Newman Cabin, another reminder of the people who once tried to carve out a living in this harsh environment. Scattered throughout the landscape are remnants of old tramway cables and abandoned mining equipment, now rusting silent markers of Death Valley’s mining era.
Final Thoughts
This was yet another fantastic trail ride to kick off 2026. It blended some fun, technical driving, stunning canyon scenery, and an important, if unsettling, piece of American history. Goler Wash is all that I heard it would be, a memorable route through one of Death Valley’s most dramatic landscapes.
If you go, tread lightly, stay on designated routes, and remember that places like Barker Ranch are more than destinations, they are chapters of history preserved in the desert. Have you been on this trail? Tell us how your experience was.
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