This route uncovers the fascinating history of the Small Tract Act of 1938, and explores the remnants of the once-thriving gold mines where artifacts of the past still linger amongst breathtaking desert views and some of the best bike camping spots in this area of the Mojave. This area has some of the darkest skies and best stargazing in all of Southern California.
Area history
Wonder Valley is one of the most prolific examples of where you can see Jackrabbit Homesteads. These structures are remnants of the Small Tract Act of 1938, a government program that offered five-acre parcels of public land to be given to citizens for homesteading. An aspiring homesteader could claim a plot of land to call their own in exchange for “improving” it by building a cabin, drilling a well, etc, within three years. Once verified, the homesteader would receive a deed, and the land would enter San Bernardino County’s private property tax rolls. A win-win.
The small tract program was popular among postwar veterans, and Los Angelinos seeking peace, affordable housing, and clean, dry air. Some folks saved their money to embark on occasional trips to build their cabin, others hired local companies that sprouted up specifically for the task of building cabins that would satisfy the minimum governmental requirements for the deal. By the 1960’s Wonder Valley had grown into a bona fide community, with some of the original homesteaders still in place, and others having abandoned their efforts, perhaps not up to the challenges of desert living. By the 1990’s some of the abandoned cabins had become reclaimed by San Bernardino county, seized for back taxes owed. Others were leveled by local residents in the name of cleaning up what they’d deemed to be eyesores, after doing their due diligence to reach out to non responsive owners. Today’s community of Wonder Valley residents is a mix of longtime locals, and also weekend homeowners & upscale retreat getaways, the latter of which seem to be gaining popularity as the Joshua Tree culture region continues to grow since the pandemic. Be sure to check out Kim Stringfellow’s seminal work on the topic at Jackrabbit Homestead
The Dale Mining District was most active from the late 1880’s until 1917 when the mines started drying out. Operations had significantly diminished by the start of WWII when all gold mines in the USA were ordered closed to focus resources on the war effort. At its peak, the Dale district was said to house about 3,000 miners. The deepest mineshaft in the western USA is out here, and there are still several active gold mining claims in the area. Many structures & artifacts from the small outposts of Old Dale to the north, and New Dale to the south remain remarkably intact.
Golden Jackrabbit Loop Overview
The route offers a diverse riding experience, with a landscape that ranges from smooth gravel roads to very rugged, rocky terrain. The best time to ride is from fall to spring when the weather is more manageable, avoiding the intense summer heat. The route begins in Wonder Valley, where the roads pass by both newly renovated & totally decrepit older Jackrabbit Homesteads. As the route turns south toward the Dale Mines District, the terrain becomes more challenging, with rough, rocky sections throughout the southern 2/3 of the loop. After exploring this area, the route loops back north and returns to Wonder Valley. A mountain bike is highly recommended due to the rugged terrain, though experienced riders may opt for a gravel bike with a tire size of 2.2″ or larger. The route takes you through remote desert landscapes, so be prepared for limited services and very limited cellular reception. The only services along the way are in the town of 29 Palms, located about 18 miles from the end of the route. Be sure to bring all the water you’ll need, as there are no natural water sources available. Camping opportunities are plentiful throughout the route, with many suitable spots near gold mines and other desert locations. The camping options are nearly endless and most offer very good stargazing opportunities. Just be prepared for the isolation and plan your supplies accordingly.
What To Expect
The route begins at a low key designated camp spot on BLM public land, adjacent The Palms Restaurant & entertainment venue in Wonder Valley. The riding begins on fairly flat, moderately sandy terrain past a number of site-specific art installations and passes by Jackrabbit Homesteads (recreational cabins) built in the 1950’s as a product of the Small Tract Act of 1938. Many of these cabins are in very bad shape, waiting to be reclaimed, and others are in the process of becoming restored or already have been. Some of them are active short term rentals, and there are a few with geothermal hot springs on site. The route then leaves Wonder Valley and begins climbing into the mountainous Dale Mines area where the terrain will at first become quite sandy, and then rocky. You will climb through a number of valleys painted in naturally contrasting colors of deep chocolate brown rock, and tan sand. The route threads a few canyons and visits gold mines dating back to the 1880’s, including a well preserved miners cabin with a visitors’ logbook, abandoned cars from the 1930’s & 1940’s. This area is rich in artifacts and encourages riders to take their time and explore off the bike as much as time will allow. From here the route spills out into the vast Pinto Basin, and into Joshua Tree National Park. Riding in this portion of the route is fast and miles tick away quickly. The basin offers sublime solitude and breathtaking sunrise & sunset views set against a rugged mountain backdrop. Leaving JTNP, the route climbs again into Dale Mines area, this time taking a westerly route to the north. The terrain is at first steep, but then yields to faster-rolling desert double track, visiting a few more mines, each unique in their own way, with ample camping opportunities in the final leg near Humbug Mountain before returning to Wonder Valley in the Northwest corner of the loop. Lastly, the route takes a paved stretch which will likely be welcome for most riders ready for faster, smoother riding. The fast-moving Hwy 62 can be dangerous, as vehicles are known to drive very fast in this area, and can be especially dangerous at night. Highlights on this paved section include quirky roadside attractions and art galleries, before arriving in the town of Twentynine Palms, which is a cultural mashup of Marine Corps town and post-pandemic tourist hotspot. Picture pawn shops & microbreweries. The final leg of the route is a fairly short & fast ride through the westernmost end of the Jackrabbit Homesteads area of Wonder Valley before returning to your start location at The Palms.
Other Ideas You Should Totally Consider
— make your own bikepacking route out here:
Don’t feel limited to only ride what this route shows you! This loop shows you what we feel is a reasonably well-balanced presentation of Wonder Valley & the Dale Mines District– but there’s so much more out there to see, including some especially spectacular mines. You can easily piece together a couple days of bikepacking in the Dale area alone.
— fantastic car camping:
2wd car camping options are limited (check out our BikesGiving spot) but 4wd camping is nearly limitless. Scout a spot on one trip, return again for a new base camp and take bicycle powered day trips to explore the area more deeply.
— stay under a roof:
Check out Wonder Valley Hot Springs (1/2 mile off route) for great short term rental accommodations. Ride shorter day trips (you can use a gravel bike in Wonder Valley) and be sure to visit Kitchen in the Desert for great food and Grnd Sqrl for the best beers in Twentynine Palms.
Land Management, camping limits, permits, fire restrictions:
BLM (14 day camping limit) + a small section of JTNP, approximately 4 miles (backcountry permit required)
*note you will need a National Parks pass if you enter or exit this route through JTNP
– check the BLM website for current fire restrictions
Backcountry camping inside JTNP: Backcountry camping is not much of an issue on this loop, since all but 4 miles of it are on BLM land, but if you happen to want to camp within the National Park you will need to get a $6 backcountry permit and follow these guidelines. Keep in mind you cannot ride your bike off the designated roads in the National Park. This is very important information if you are combining the Golden Jackrabbit with the southern tier Desert Collective routes, in which case you may likely want to stay a night inside JTNP.
Vehicle accessibility & basecamp options:
-Good 2WD basecamp options on the north end, outstanding 4WD basecamp options at many mines.
-2WD & RV accessible for the first ~3 miles of the north end.
– If you’re using a car for basecamp, be sure to stay inside the BLM land; there is no car camping allowed in this portion of JTNP, outside the designated campgrounds.
Gear, and Road Conditions:
This is some of the roughest terrain in the Desert Collective. The main route has soft sand, especially in the north along Gold Crown road, and baby head rock sections throughout the middle. Gravel bikes are not recommended.
Resupply / Water:
None. The closest water supply is in 29 Palms, 15 miles to the west. Pack in everything you need.
Cell service:
Good cell service on the north-facing slopes of the Dale Mines district for the first 3 miles, almost no service for the rest of the route.
Online Resources:
The Desert Collective Instagram Page for up to date happenings & group campouts
The Stagecoach 400 & Desert Collective Facebook page for group discussion
Kim Stringfellow’s Audio Tour of the Jackrabbit Homesteads & Wonder Valley
Other Notes:
– This route, like all others in the Collective, can be very hot in the off season, cold in the prime riding season, and very windy at any time. Be sure to check the weather forecast for Wonder Valley & Pinto Basin (or Cottonwood Ranger station) before heading out.
– This area is used by Jeepers and other offroad user groups. While the area is not particularly busy with these groups, it’s something to keep in mind when selecting a campsite near a road or one of the mines.
– Bear in mind the provided route GPX will navigate you on the most direct route through the Dale Mining District; use supplemental maps & your seeing eyes to visit more mines! Alternatively, you can easily spend 2 days in the mining district alone, following the various roads not listed on this route.
– Follow LNT guidelines and leave everything as good or better than you found it. There are still lots of intact artifacts in this area from when the mines were operational; check them out but leave them in place. Be especially respectful of residents and landowners in Wonder Valley. Do not enter any of the Jackrabbit Homesteads with private property signs posted, fences, etc.
Route Files
We are using a standalone Ride With GPS link for this route, with cues & points of interest embedded. Please get in touch if you would prefer .gpx files and printable cue sheets.
Golden Jackrabbit RWGPS link
SoCal Bikepacking 