Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → Death Valley → China Garden Spring

Location: Panamint Springs Area, Death Valley

Time Required: 30 minutes – 1 hour

Red Tape/Notes: Access to Death Valley is $25/vehicle for a 7 day pass. 4-wheel drive is recommended to access the site, unless you hike here from the Darwin Falls parking area.

What’s Nearby?: Darwin Falls (hike), Darwin Falls Canyon, Charcoal Kilns

Most people don’t venture beyond the parking lot for Darwin Falls when they’re in the area, but if you’re here, you’ll notice that the road continues on (recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles only). This road continues on toward Darwin, winding past the Zinc Hill Mines and eventually (after around 5 miles) passes by the China Garden Spring, which was the processing location for zinc ore from the mines. The remains of the processing building are still there, along with a rusting Chevrolet, and some stone walls at the spring. The spring consists of a surprisingly large pool of water (almost entirely covered in tall grasses when we visited), which is home to a population of koi (!). Legit multi-colored koi. Dude, the stuff you find in the desert sometimes. So bizarre. But cool.

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → Death Valley → China Garden Spring