Geology
San Bernardino County, CA
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
Hundreds of calcium-carbonate tufa spires rise from the dry bed of Searles Lake in the northern Mojave, formed when freshwater springs met alkaline lake water. The BLM National Natural Landmark is a surreal badland of towers up to ~140 ft used as a film location and night-sky camping area. Easy desert walking among the formations from the signed dirt access road.
| Region | San Bernardino County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 35.6170, -117.3722 |
| Access | BLM dirt road RM143 off SR-178 ~7.7 mi E of Trona–Red Mountain Rd junction; ~5 mi dirt to site; usually 2WD when dry |
| Managing agency | BLM Ridgecrest Field Office |
| Feature | Tufa pinnacles / Searles Lake playa |
| Designation | National Natural Landmark |
Map preview
The interactive map and its tiles load only when requested.
Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.