The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are ten beehive-shaped stone kilns in Wildrose Canyon, high in the Panamint Mountains at about 6,800 feet on the west side of Death Valley. Completed in 1877 to make charcoal for a mining smelter, they are among the best-preserved kilns of their kind in the West.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
The kilns burned pinyon and juniper from the surrounding slopes into charcoal, which was hauled about 25 miles west to smelt silver-lead ore at the Modock Mines in the Argus Range. They ran only a few years, likely until around 1879, which is part of why they survive in such good condition. Each kiln is a stone dome with openings at the base and top that let crews control the burn.
What to See
The ten kilns stand in a row along the canyon floor. You can step inside; the interiors still smell faintly of smoke and carry a strong echo. Interpretive signs explain how the charcoal-making worked.
Getting There
The kilns sit at the end of Wildrose Canyon Road, paved for most of the way and graded dirt near the end, where the final stretch can be rough and is not maintained for large RVs. At 6,800 feet the area stays cool and can hold snow in winter, when the upper road may close.