sharone

We will be travelling from yosemite to Mono Lake and from there onto Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley. On the way we would like to stop off at Rhyolite ghost town and are not sure which is the best route.
Google maps shows it as the 264, 266 then the 95 to Beatty. Is it possible to go via Bishop, Death Valley Road then Scottys Castle Road? Or is the terrain not suitable?
Or otherwise, is it best via Bishop then the 395 towards Owens Lake, check in at Furnace Creek first then go on to Rhyolite?
Many thanks for any help.

emalloy

Rhyolite is east of DV. If you head south from Scottys Castle, take the road to Beatty. Rhyolite is a mile or so north of that road after you have gone over the crest a way, maybe a half hour or so from the DV road.

If you have time, stop before you head to Furnace Creek, or if you are going to Vegas next, go back to Vegas that way, go to Beatty then take 95 down to Vegas. Rhyolite is only a short stop, maybe a half hour to see the bottle house and old RR station, ruined bank etc.

CascadeBob

You can drive Bishop, Death Valley Road then Scottys Castle Road. Some of the roadway in Death Valley along that route will be gravel, but it's graded and solid - I've driven compact cars along that route many times.

sharone

Thank you for your replies, I think we will prefer the route via Bishop, Death Valley Rd then Scottys Castle Rd and it sounds like that is do-able terrain wise.
Our plan is to stop off and see Rhyolite on our way to the hotel then the following day we have a full day to explore as much of the rest of Death Valley as possible.

Supercilious

The Big Pine/Death Valley Road is recommended for vehicles with high clearance since it has 45 miles of gravel surface. I would not take a rental car on that road especially in the summer when traffic is very light.

Take 190 into the park instead from Lone Pine. It's more scenic anyway.