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Major city · United States

Olancha-Cartago

A 20-minute stop for jerky and a photo of the charcoal kilns, not a destination. Skip unless you need a break on US 395.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Olancha and Cartago are two unincorporated settlements at the southern tip of dry Owens Lake on US 395. The main reason to stop is Gus's jerky stand and the historic Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns a few miles north. Most travellers pass through in 20 minutes; there is no lodging, no sit-down restaurant and no reason to stay overnight.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Apr–Oct
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow possible at elevation)
Airport
none
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Olancha-Cartago: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Olancha-Cartago911 ▾
  • Police (Inyo County Sheriff)911
  • Fire / ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Olancha-Cartago, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Gus's Really Good Fresh JerkyCottonwood Charcoal KilnsDry Owens Lake
Airports
none No commercial airport (Fly into Reno (RNO) or Las Vegas (LAS) and drive 3–4 h.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  5. May

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    36°C (97°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    35°C (95°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Olancha-Cartago: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

10°C (50°F)

−2°C (28°F)

3 rd

Feb

13°C (55°F)

0°C (32°F)

3 rd

Mar

17°C (63°F)

3°C (37°F)

3 rd

Apr

21°C (70°F)

6°C (43°F)

2 rd

May

26°C (79°F)

11°C (52°F)

2 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

16°C (61°F)

1 rd

Jul

36°C (97°F)

19°C (66°F)

1 rd

Aug

35°C (95°F)

18°C (64°F)

1 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

14°C (57°F)

1 rd

Oct

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

2 rd

Nov

16°C (61°F)

2°C (36°F)

2 rd

Dec

10°C (50°F)

−2°C (28°F)

3 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. US 395 runs through both settlements; the kilns are 6.5 miles north of Cartago on a dirt road.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Lone Pine

go

Door to door: 15 min

US 395 north, about 15 min

Alabama Hills, film museum and the Mount Whitney trailhead.

Death Valley Junction

go

Door to door: 30 min

CA 190 east from Olancha, about 30 min

Amargosa Opera House and the entrance to Death Valley National Park.

Shoshone, California

go

Door to door: 50 min

CA 127 south from Death Valley Junction, about 20 min

Crowbar Cafe and the Shoshone Museum.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Lone Pine

Closest lodging, 15 min north on US 395; motels and campgrounds.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Stop
$5–15 for jerky and fuel

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
No beds in Olancha-Cartago2 × 3 nights × US$0US$0
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$10US$60
Trip total≈ US$10 per person per day, bed includedUS$60

Stay in Lone Pine or elsewhere.

2026 estimate; no lodging available in Olancha-Cartago. Budget figures are for a stop only.

Prices of common things

Jerky (bag)check$5–15
Fuel (fill up before or after)check

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe; the main risk is heat in summer and dust storms from Owens Lake. Carry water and sunscreen.
  • No petrol station in Olancha-Cartago itself; fill up in Lone Pine or Inyokern.
  • Dirt road to the kilns can be rough after rain.
  • Owens Lake dust storms can reduce visibility — check air quality if you have respiratory issues.

Emergency numbers

Police (Inyo County Sheriff)
911
Fire / ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Olancha-CartagoOlancha-Cartago

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Emergency

  • Police911
  • Fire / ambulance911

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Olancha → Lone Pine, US 395: about 15 min, no public transport
  • Olancha → Death Valley Junction, CA 190: about 30 min, no public transport

No public transport, no ATM, no lodging. Plan ahead.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Olancha-Cartago. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow possible at elevation) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 1 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Olancha-Cartago

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