Hiking in Death Valley National Park is not for the novice to desertscapes. The landscape is demanding, exacting, and can be deadly. But it also can reveal some wonders.
Hikers on a trail in Death Valley National Park / Rebecca Latson
Sensibly, the best time to hike in this huge park is during the "winter" months, from October into April. The rest of the year is just too hot to safely head out for a long hike.
Hikes Featured On The Traveler:
Golden Canyon
You won't find any trees to escape the glaring sun shining down on the heavily eroded badlands of Death Valley National Park. Fortunately, my trek through Golden Canyon took place in early December, one of the more reasonable, temperature-wise, months in the park best known for its unrelenting heat.
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Popular Hiking Trails Courtesy Of Park Staff:
Gower Gulch Loop
- Length: 4 miles (6.4 km) round-trip.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: Golden Canyon parking area, 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Hwy 190 on Badwater Rd.
- Description: Colorful badlands, canyon narrows, old borax mines. Hike up Golden Canyon to marker #10, then follow trail over badlands to Zabriskie Point or down Gower Gulch (no trail) to finish loop. Two easy dryfalls must be scrambled down. Ask for Gower Gulch handout at Visitor Center.
Desolation Canyon
- Length: 3 miles (4.8 km), round-trip.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: parking area at end of ½-mile (0.8-km) dirt road off Badwater Road, 3.7 miles (5.95) south of Hwy 190.
- Description: Narrow canyon through colorful badlands. Follow old road and then main wash east continuing toward cliffs, then follow the wash draining from the south. Hike up canyon, keeping to the right at the forks. No trail.
Natural Bridge Canyon
- Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) to end of canyon, ½ mile (0.8 km) to natural bridge.
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Natural Bridge parking area, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) off Badwater Road on gravel road, 13.2 miles (21.2 km) south of Hwy 190.
- Description: Uphill walk through narrow canyon. Large natural bridge at ½ mile (0.8 km). Trail ends at dry waterfall.
Walking out to the salt flat at Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park / Rebecca Latson
- Length: ½ mile (0.8 km) to edge, 5 miles (8 km) across
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Badwater parking area, 17 miles (27.4 km) south of Hwy 190 on Badwater Road.
- Description: Level walk across lowest place in North America. Crust of salt crystals may be covered with temporary lake after rain storms. Watch out for muddy areas. No trail. Do not hike this area during hot months.
Salt Creek Interpretive Trail
- Length: ½ mile (0.8 km) round-trip.
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Salt Creek parking area, 1 mile (1.6 km) off Hwy 190 on graded gravel road, 13.5 miles (21.7 km) north of Furnace Creek.
- Description: Boardwalk along small stream. Good for viewing rare pupfish and other wildlife. Best in late winter/early spring.
Wandering the Mesquite Flat sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park / Rebecca Latson
- Length: 2 miles (3.2 km) to highest dune
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Start: Sand Dunes parking area, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) east of Stovepipe Wells on Hwy 190.
- Description: Graceful desert dunes, numerous animal tracks. Walk cross-country to 100-ft. (30.5 m) high dunes. Best in morning or afternoon for dramatic light. Also good for full moon hikes. No trail.
Hikers in Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park / NPS - Kurt Moses
- Length: ½ to 2 miles (0.8 to 3.2 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: Mosaic Canyon parking area, 2 miles (3.2 km) from Stovepipe Wells Village on graded gravel road.
- Description: Popular walk up a narrow, polished marble-walled canyon. First ½ mile (0.8 km) is narrowest section. Some slickrock scrambling necessary. "Mosaics" of fragments of rocks cemented together can be seen in canyon walls. Bighorn sheep sighted occasionally.
- Length: 1.5 miles (2.4 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Titus Canyon Mouth parking area, 3 miles off Scotty’s Castle Road on graded gravel road.
- Description: Easy access to lower Titus Canyon. Follow gravel road up wash 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through narrows or continue to Klare Springs and petroglyphs at 6.5 miles (10.5). No camping allowed.
Dante's Ridge
- Length: ½ miles (0.8 km) to first summit, 4 miles (6.4 km) one-way to Mt. Perry
- Difficulty: moderate to first summit; moderately strenuous to Mt. Perry due to much up and down along trailless route.
- Start: Dantes View parking area
- Description: Follow ridge north of Dantes View for spectacular vistas and a cool place to escape summer heat. No trail for last 3.5 miles (5.6 km).
Little Hebe Crater Trail
- Length: ½ mile (0.8 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: Ubehebe Crater parking area, 8 miles (12.9 km) west of Scotty’s Castle.
- Description: Volcanic craters and elaborate erosion. Hike along west rim of Ubehebe Crater to Little Hebe and several other craters. Continue around Ubehebe’s rim for 1.5-mile (2.4-km) loop hike.
Adventurous Hikes
No trails.....you’re on your own.
Death Valley Buttes
- Length: 1.2 mile (1.9 km) to top of first butte
- Difficulty: strenuous
- Start: Hell’s Gate parking area on Daylight Pass Road.
- Description: Climb prominent buttes at foot of the Grapevine Mountains. From Hell’s Gate, walk SW ½ mile (0.8 km) to buttes. Scramble up ridge to summit of first butte. Second butte is more difficult and 0.7 mile (1.1 km) further. Descend 300 feet (91 m) to saddle, then climb 500 feet (152 m) to next summit. The ridges are narrow and exposed with steep drop-offs. No trail.
Fall Canyon
- Length: 3 miles (4.8 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: moderately strenuous
- Start: Titus Canyon Mouth parking area, 3 miles (4.8 km) off Scotty’s Castle Road on graded gravel road.
- Description: Spectacular wilderness canyon near Titus Canyon. Follow informal path ½ mile (0.8 km) north along base of mountains, drop into large wash at canyon's mouth, then hike 2½ miles (4 km) up canyon to 35 feet (10.7 m) of dryfall. You can climb around the dryfall 300 feet (91 m) back down canyon on south side for access to best narrows. Canyon continues another 3 miles (4.8 km) before second dryfall blocks passage. No trail.
Little Bridge Canyon
- Length: 3 miles (4.8 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: moderately strenuous
- Start: 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Scotty's Castle junction on Hwy 190. Park along road at end of straight stretch.
- Description: Climb large alluvial fan south of road 2 miles (3.2 km) to canyon mouth. A small arch is on the right ½ mile (0.8 lm) into canyon and a 20-foot (6.1 m) high natural bridge spans east side of the canyon ½ mile beyond. No trail, Grotto Canyon topo map.
Summer Hikes
Cool places to hike when the valley is too hot, but may be snow covered in winter.
- Length: 4.2 miles (6.8 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: moderately strenuous
- Start: Charcoal Kilns parking area on upper Wildrose Canyon Road.
- Description: A good high peak to climb (9,064 ft / 2,762.7 m). Trail begins at north end of kilns with an elevation gain of 2,200 ft (670.6 m). Spectacular views beyond 2-mile (3.2-km) point. Steep grade for last mile (1.6 km).
- Length: 7 miles (11.3 km), one-way.
- Difficulty: strenuous
- Start: Mahogany Flat Campground at end of upper Wildrose Canyon Road. Rough, steep road after Charcoal Kilns.
- Description: Trail to highest peak in the park (11,049 ft.) with a 3,000-ft (914-m) elevation gain. Climbing this peak in the winter requires ice axe and crampons, and only advised for experienced winter climbers. Trail is usually snow-free by June.
Backcountry Hikes
If you plan on hiking out into the desertlands of Death Valley, you need to plan carefully. Backcountry hiking is not a spur-of-the-moment event. Always check road conditions. If you choose to travel on backcountry roads, be aware that rescue is likely to be extremely delayed. Travel prepared to survive, with 2 full size spare tires and extra food and water.
To read more details on backcountry areas to hike and whether or not a permit is needed for a specific backcountry area, click here.
