DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Titus Canyon Road, a popular backcountry drive within Death Valley National Park, is set to close on October 2. The closure will allow the National Park Service to begin significant work to repair and strengthen the road, which has sustained extensive damage from past flooding.
The project is expected to continue through May 2027. National Park Service crews will focus on improving the road's resilience against future storm damage, enhancing drainage, reducing erosion, and addressing areas particularly vulnerable to severe weather impacts.
This upcoming work follows severe damage the road experienced from flash flooding in August 2022, with additional flooding occurring in 2023. Following these events, National Park Service crews carried out preliminary repairs, which included moving boulders, filling drop-offs, and grading the roadway. These initial efforts allowed Titus Canyon Road to temporarily reopen for public access this past summer.
Superintendent Mike Reynolds stated that the National Park Service is "pleased to begin work to improve Titus Canyon Road." Reynolds further indicated that these planned improvements aim to protect the road from future storm damage while preserving its historic character and ensuring reliable access to this unique location.
The repair efforts will involve constructing rolling dips. These structures are designed to direct stormwater away from the roadway, preventing water from flowing directly over and eroding the road surface. Additionally, crews will place rock material at various wash crossings and other locations where flowing water has the potential to undermine the road's foundation, reinforcing these vulnerable sections.
A specific focus of the project will be near Red Pass. Here, crews will address an eroding section of the roadway that currently presents steep drop-offs and potential rockfall hazards. Work in this area will include removing loose rock from the slopes and excavating portions of the terrain above the road. These actions are intended to improve overall stability, mitigate rockfall risks, and widen the roadway for safer passage.
Overall, the project is designed with multiple objectives: to make Titus Canyon Road more resilient to future storms, to significantly improve safety for visitors, and to reduce the extent of damage caused by flooding events. By taking these comprehensive measures, the National Park Service seeks to ensure the long-term viability and accessibility of this important backcountry route in Death Valley National Park.