China Ranch Date Farm (Courtesy of Linda Gettier)

The China Ranch Date Farm is an extraordinary field trip! It's a 2 hour drive each way, and there's a lot so see and do once you are there, so set aside a full day for it! You'll take Blue Diamond Road towards Pahrump, then turn left onto Tecopa Road/Old Spanish Trail where you'll see stunning views of the "back side" of Mount Charleston. Another left onto Furnace Creek Road, then a right onto China Ranch Road, and down you go to the Amargosa River Valley. China Ranch Road is a bit rugged. You don't have to have a 4-wheel drive, but you might not want to take your finest vehicle down there!

The ranch has a history going back to the 1800s. The current owners have been there since 1990 and have turned it into quite a date-growing operation with numerous varieties from all over the world. They also have a gift shop and Snack Shop with dates, date bread, date muffins, and DATE SHAKES! Their shops are surrounded by an extensive cactus garden. And if you stroll downhill a little further, you are at the mysterious Amargosa River, which travels sometime above ground and sometime below ground as it winds its way to the lowest point in Death Valley, then heads underground, never to be seen again. There are numerous trails along the river and in the adjacent Kingston Wilderness. Birders will also have a grand time here. Visit chinaranch.com to learn more.