The ¼ mile hike around the Harmony Borax plant offers a window into the mining past of Death Valley. Considered an outdoor museum because the atmosphere in Death Valley preserves artifacts so well outdoors, The Harmony Borax plant and wagon cart are left outdoors for visitors to see.

Along this paved loop, illustrated panels tell the story of the sites past. Borax, called “white gold” by miners in the late 1800s, was mined heavily in the area around Death Valley. In the 1800s The Harmony Borax Works was constructed to process the borax before it was hauled away on a twenty-mule team wagon to the train depot in Mojave, 165 miles to the south.

Harmony Borax Works

To get to Harmony Borax: From Furnace Creek drive north on highway 190. After 1.5 miles turn left on Borax Mine Road. Park in the lot at the start of the paved loop.

Use the map below to create your own directions to Harmony Borax:

View California Desert Hikes in a larger map

Photos

 

       
       

These photos were taken in November of 2009. Click to enlarge.

Nearby Trails

 

	Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes This 1 + mile hike explores the most visible (but not the largest) sand dunes in Death Valley
	Salt Creek This easy one mile out-and-back crosses a short boardwalk bordering a little creek.
	Ashford Mill These ruins, where gold was once processed for the Ashford Mine, provide an example of how tough life can be in this harsh desert.
	Death Valley Explore more destinations in Death Valley National Park

Camping

 

Death Valley Campgrounds There are nine campgrounds spread throughout this large park to facilitate your visit.

More Info

 

The national parks webpage for Harmony Borax Works

USGS geology field trip of Harmony Borax

The official website for Death Valley

Death Valley on Wikipedia