What to expect
There are few constructed trails here, but in a place this desolate you usually don't need them. Most hiking routes in the park are cross-country, up canyons, or along ridges. Although footing can be rough and rocky (wear boots), and dry falls may need to be scaled, thick brush is uncommon. First time hikers to the desert may find trailless hiking intimidating, but once you adjust to it, you discover there are almost unlimited hiking possibilities. With that freedom comes the responsibility to take care of yourself and the land.
Learn about the area
Before starting a hike, talk to a ranger or read about the area. Ask at the Visitor Center or ranger stations about current road conditions, water availability, and weather forecasts. Detailed topographic maps are necessary for some of the hikes listed here and are available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and other Ranger Stations throughout the park.
Hiking seasons
The best time to hike in Death Valley is from October through April. Summer temperatures can be dangerous in the park's lower elevations. Even during spring and autumn the heat can be unbearable for most people. Avoid hiking on the salt flats or anywhere below sea level when it's hot. Save the low elevation hikes for the cooler winter days. The high peaks are a pleasant escape from the heat in summer, but are usually covered with snow in the winter and spring. If you must climb them during winter season, be sure to be properly equipped with adequate winter clothing, an ice axe and crampons. Solitude is the norm in the park's backcountry, but in the springtime and on holiday weekends you will see other people, especially at the most popular hiking locations.
Water
Due to the dry climate of Death Valley, you must drink more water here than in other places, even in the cooler winter months. Always carry adequate water (at least 2 liters for a short winter dayhike, 1 gallon or more for longer warm season hikes and overnighters). Don't "save it for later", be sure to drink it as you hike. If you are feeling thirsty, you are getting dehydrated. Springs and other natural water sources are rare and should not be considered reliable. Boil or treat water from these sources before using.
EASY WALKS to MODERATE HIKES
These hikes are short, but most can be extended if you feel like exploring.
Golden Canyon Interpretive Trail
- Length: 1 mile, one-way.
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Golden Canyon parking area, 2 miles south of Hwy 190 on Badwater Road.
- Description: Easy trail through colorful canyon. Red Cathedral located ¼ mile up canyon from last numbered marker. An interpretive trail guide is available.
Gower Gulch Loop
- Length: 4 miles round-trip.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: Golden Canyon parking area, 2 miles 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, round-trip.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: parking area at end of ½ mile dirt road off Badwater Road, 3.7 miles 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 to end of canyon, ½ mile to natural bridge.
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Natural Bridge parking area, 1.5 miles off Badwater Road on gravel road, 13.2 miles south of Hwy 190.
- Description: Uphill walk through narrow canyon. Large natural bridge at ½ mile. Trail ends at dry waterfall.
Badwater Salt Flat
- Length: ½ mile to edge, 5 miles across
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Badwater parking area, 17 miles 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 round-trip.
- Difficulty: easy
- Start: Salt Creek parking area, 1 mile off Hwy 190 on graded gravel road, 13.5 miles north of Furnace Creek.
- Description: Boardwalk along small stream. Good for viewing rare pupfish and other wildlife. Best in late winter/early spring.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
- Length: 2 miles to highest dune
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Start: Sand Dunes parking area, 2.2 miles east of Stovepipe Wells on Hwy 190.
- Description: Graceful desert dunes, numerous animal tracks. Walk cross-country to 100 ft. high dunes. Best in morning or afternoon for dramatic light. Also good for full moon hikes. No trail.
Mosaic Canyon
- Length: ½ to 2 miles, one-way.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: Mosaic Canyon parking area, 2 miles from Stovepipe Wells Village on graded gravel road.
- Description: Popular walk up a narrow, polished marble-walled canyon. First ½ mile is narrowest section. Some slickrock scrambling necessary. "Mosaics" of fragments of rocks cemented together can be seen in canyon walls. Bighorn sheep sighted occasionally.
Titus Canyon Narrows
- Length: 1.5 miles, 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 through narrows or continue to Klare Springs and petroglyphs at 6.5 miles. No camping allowed.
Dante's Ridge
- Length: ½ miles to first summit, 4 miles 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.
Little Hebe Crater Trail
- Length: ½ mile, one-way.
- Difficulty: moderate
- Start: Ubehebe Crater parking area, 8 miles 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 loop hike.
ADVENTUROUS HIKES
No trails.....you’re on your own.
Death Valley Buttes
- Length: 1.2 mile 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 to buttes. Scramble up ridge to summit of first butte. Second butte is more difficult and 0.7 mile further. Descend 300' to saddle, then climb 500' to next summit. The ridges are narrow and exposed with steep drop-offs. No trail.
Fall Canyon
- Length: 3 miles, one-way.
- Difficulty: moderately strenuous
- Start: Titus Canyon Mouth parking area, 3 miles off Scotty’s Castle Road on graded gravel road.
- Description: Spectacular wilderness canyon near Titus Canyon. Follow informal path ½ mile north along base of mountains, drop into large wash at canyon's mouth, then hike 2½ miles up canyon to 35' dryfall. You can climb around the dryfall 300' back down canyon on south side for access to best narrows. Canyon continues another 3 miles before second dryfall blocks passage. No trail.
Little Bridge Canyon
- Length: 3 miles, one-way.
- Difficulty: moderately strenuous
- Start: 3 miles 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 to canyon mouth. A small arch is on the right ½ mile into canyon and 20' high natural bridge spans east side of the canyon ½ mile beyond. No trail, Grotto Canyn topo map.
SUMMER HIKES
Cool places to hike when the valley is too hot, but may be snow covered in winter.
Wildrose Peak Trail
- Length: 4.2 miles, 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.). Trail begins at north end of kilns with an elevation gain of 2,200 ft. Spectacular views beyond 2 mile point. Steep grade for last mile.
Telescope Peak Trail
- Length: 7 miles, 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. 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. Order U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 Minute Topographic Maps Online
