Olancha: Dunes, Trails, and History

You can plan a stay in Olancha around several themes: the dune landscape and off-highway riding, destinations along the Olancha and Haiwee Pass Trails, and the town’s early history. Routes and viewpoints around Owens Lake are also useful points of reference. The options range from a specific riding area to historic sites and trail destinations.

Dunes and Off-Highway Riding

The Olancha Dunes OHV Recreation Area lies at the southern end of Owens Valley, between the Sierra Nevada and the Coso Range. Broad, rolling dunes stretch across the area. The riding area covers about 1,000 acres; the short, gently sloping dunes reach heights of up to 75 feet. The acreage describes the size of the riding area, while the height describes the dunes’ shape.

The area is suitable for off-highway riding on motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Primitive camping is possible in the recreation area and on the surrounding public lands. The dune area also has primitive camping sites and places to stage and unload OHVs. If you include these activities in your trip plans, you can consider the riding area and overnight options together.

Trail Destinations and Wilderness Camping

The Olancha and Haiwee Pass Trails provide access to the South Sierra Wilderness, the Monache Meadows area, and the Pacific Crest Trail. These named destinations give you a specific starting point for planning hikes around the area you want to visit.

For overnight stays in the South Sierra Wilderness, the Forest Service recommends permits. This recommendation comes from a trail guide dated January 2017; check the current rules before staying overnight. Dispersed camping is allowed at the trailheads of the Olancha and Haiwee Pass Trails. The Olancha Pass Trailhead has corrals, while the Olancha Trailhead is at an elevation of 5,790 feet.

There are also different points of reference nearby. Olancha Pass is accessible from U.S. 395 south of Olancha via Sage Flat Road. Around Owens Lake, the Owens Lake Trails include four miles of walking paths, viewpoints, and land art installations. These paths and installations offer a different focus from vehicle use in the dune area or the named destinations along the Pass Trails.

Historic Sites and Local History

Farley’s Olancha Mill Site is on State Highway 395 at Fall Road, 0.6 miles south of Olancha. The site is listed as California Registered Historical Landmark No. 796; it was registered on September 16, 1964. The first mill and smelting furnace in Owens River Valley were completed here by December 1862.

The mill and smelting furnace are part of the area’s early history: Olancha has been a way station since its founding in the 1860s. The historic site and this description illustrate two distinct aspects of local history—the town’s early role as a station and the beginnings of milling and smelting in Owens River Valley.

Landscape and Wildlife

Wildlife is also part of the area’s natural setting. The range of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep extends south to Olancha Peak. On March 25 and 26, 2013, ten pregnant ewes and four rams were released in Olancha with the goal of establishing a new Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep herd. This dated initiative adds a specific insight into the species’ history in the region to the landscape overview.

Finding Your Way on U.S. 395

The State Route 190 connection is relevant for navigating the area by road. It connects the new U.S. 395 lanes through Grant, Olancha, and Cartago with the existing route of old U.S. 395. The opening of the connection was announced on December 19, 2024. For northbound traffic, it makes navigation to Death Valley National Park easier and provides access to services in Olancha and Cartago. These details put the connection in context for your drive without suggesting that it represents general access to Olancha.

Discover more destinations: Big Pine, Bishop, Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells, Kearsarge, Death Valley Junction, Tecopa, Lone Pine

For the broader travel overview: Inyo.