Lead photo by Nicole Dreon
In one week’s time, over 60 teams will gather in Mammoth Lakes, California, to begin the 10th edition of the Rebelle Rally. The rally route—which leads competitors through eight days of off-road navigation using maps, compasses, and roadbooks to locate checkpoints throughout the deserts of Nevada and California—is completely confidential. Only Event Founder Emily Miller and Course Director Jimmy Lewis know the details.
Competitors do know, however, the route will showcase some of the most spectacular natural landscapes that Nevada and California have to offer, with checkpoints connected via bumpy tracks and corrugated stretches of track, the potential for quirky photo ops, and usually, a surprise or two along the way.
Keen to create a Rebelle Rally-inspired route of my own, I reached out to Emily Miller for a few of her favorite locations from the past decade. From ghost towns to art installations, date farms, and dunes, here are several iconic rally locations to incorporate into your next overland trip.
Lunar Crater | Nevada
“Turn off Nevada Highway 6 onto dirt, and you will find a rich volcanic area with a variety of terrain, beautiful unpaved backroads, wild horses, and real cowboys. The 430-foot-deep Lunar Crater is a National Landmark, along with the [24-mile-long] Lunar Crater Backcountry Byway, which explores 20 extinct volcanoes. Make sure you have a good map and explore more of the roads—it’s one of my favorite areas.”
Photo: Richard Giordano
The International Car Forest of the Last Church | Goldfield, Nevada
“One of the most eclectic places, the International Car Forest of the Last Church (the full name) is on the edge of Goldfield, a well-known historical mining town that was at one time, Nevada’s largest city (not so any more!). With 40+ cars, buses, and trucks augered into the land at various angles and all painted in graffiti, it’s so random that you must stop.”
Photo: Paolo Baraldi
Goldwell Open Air Museum | Rhyolite, Nevada
“This funky art installation is set within the mining ruins of Rhyolite, Nevada, at the eastern edge of Death Valley. It feels a bit like a tribute to the freedom artists feel in the vast Nevada desert. A great stop before dropping into Titus Canyon. Great trails to drive in the immediate area, too.”
Photo: Paolo Baraldi
Titus Canyon | Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada
“A 27-mile one-way road starts above Death Valley and drops into the valley floor. It is colorful, rugged, and has great history, but the highlight is the slot canyon near the end, where it narrows to one car width with high walls. Watch for weather and stay away during monsoon season.”
Photo: Adobe Stock
Artists Palette | Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada
“No matter how hard people try to photograph it, this colorful backdrop must be seen in person. The one-way road north of Badwater is paved, but the views are out of this world, showing us the magnitude of Death Valley.”
Photo: Adobe Stock
Belmont, Nevada
“Belmont is a true gem of an old ghost town. Stop at the bar Dirty Dicks and say hello to Tracy, who—along with the great seven or so locals—has restored and cared for the history of this place. Nestled up above the desert floor northeast of Tonopah, Nevada, it has big peaks, mining ruins, and a variety of great trails of all levels, big mountain passes, and scenic roads. (My heart lives in the Monitor Valley). Exploring around the Belmont region will make you want to spend more quality time in Nevada.”
Photo: Paolo Baraldi
China Ranch Date Farm | Baker, California
“This spot is a visual surprise most never see, hidden below the primary elevation in a stunning, desert canyon north of Baker, California. While the history of the area dates back to the time when the Spanish Trail was used as a trade route between Santa Fe and San Francisco, the date farm was launched in the early 1900s by a Chinese farmer, Ah Foo, who began growing crops in the canyon. In the 20s, the first dates were grown, and today there are many varieties from this beautiful grove of trees. Stop in the little store for a date shake.”
Photo: Nicole Dreon
Dumont Dunes | North of Baker, California
“Since you stopped at China Ranch, you can’t miss Dumont Dunes. These 500-foot-tall dunes are surrounded by big desert peaks, creating a layered backdrop that is out of this world. In fact, there are some days it just doesn’t even look real. The dune complex is small, but open for driving and an absolutely stunning sight. I love it mid-week and when it’s super hot, which translates to having it to myself.”
Photo: Paolo Baraldi
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