trail overlook a desert valley approximately 5,000 ft (1,500 m) below, covered with white salt and minerals. A rocky brown and gray mountain range runs north-south, on the opposite side of the valley, parallel to Dantes Ridge. The dirt route roughly follows the top of the ridge and leads north from the parking area. There are some clumps of grasses and small woody shrubs along the route, but no trees. Some areas next to the route have clusters of brown jagged rocks. During warmer months there are often lizards of various species which run across or near the route. The route ends at the relatively flat top of Mount Perry, the high point along the ridge. There are open views of desert valley floors and distant mountains to the east the entire way. The route does not go near the edge of the ridge or have any exposed drop-offs. There are several steep sections of the route with slippery, loose dirt as well as uneven areas and areas with large boulders.

<h3>A hike along Dantes Ridge feels like a trek on top of the world.</h3>   Those seeking a strenuous hike with wide open views the entire way will surely enjoy Dantes Ridge. This unofficial trail begins from the north end of the Dantes View parking lot and continues approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) to Mt. Perry. The route follows a tree-less ridgeline in the Black Mountains and has many small climbs and descents. Due to these numerous ups and downs, the return trip is just as challenging as the hike out to Mt. Perry. The route is generally easy to follow, but there are a few areas where it becomes lost in jumbled rocks. When hiking this route in winter, remember that it is significantly higher than the valley floor (Mt. Perry elevation: 5,738 ft/1,749 m), so bring extra layers. Although the route is cooler than the valley during the summer, summer hiking after 10 am is not recommended due to the complete lack of shade along the route.      <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 9 miles (14 km) Round Trip Time: 4-6 hours Difficulty: Difficult Elevation Gain: 2,090 ft (637 m) Trail Type: No official trail, out and back route Location: Unofficial trailhead at the north end of the Dantes View parking lot.  Parking: Paved Dantes View lot. No vehicles over 25 ft (8 m) in length. Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in pull-out just before Dantes View parking lot. No restrooms along hiking route. Do not leave toilet paper in the backcountry. Route: Out and back unofficial route from Dantes View heading north along the ridge to Mt. Perry. Unobstructed views the entire route. Frequent elevation gain and loss. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

A hiker walks toward the camera on a wide undulating desert ridge covered with small shrubs.

Mount Perry Hike

A strenuous hiking route along a ridge to a high point, with stunning views of the floor of Death Valley and the Panamint Mountain Range.

Location

Significance

Dantes Ridge (Mt. Perry)

A raised curb separates the viewing area from the parking lot. A 4 foot (1.2 meter) metal fence separates the viewing area from a near-vertical drop of over 5,000 feet (1,525 meters) to the valley floor. The valley floor below is swirling white salt flats. A mountain range rises on the west side of the valley, parallel to the view point. The tallest peak in this range is Telescope Peak, with an elevation of 11,049 feet (3,368 meters).

<h3>“I don’t pay much attention to scenery, but I know one view that made me stop and look.”</h3> These words were spoken in 1926 by Charles Brown, a local man from Shoshone, when asked by the governor of Nevada for his opinion of the best view of Death Valley. As true today as it was then, Dantes View affords visitors an unparalleled view of the swirling white salt flats of Death Valley below (or if you’re a Star Wars fan, Mos Eisley), and the Panamint Range to the west.  Towering 5,575 ft (1,699 m) above Badwater Basin, on the ridge of the Black Mountains, Dantes View is a favorite spot for photographers. Sunrise and sunset are especially magnificent here, and although this area is popular, it is easy to find solitude and set up the perfect shot with a short hike along the ridge to the north. More adventurous hikers can continue along the ridge to Mt. Perry, an 8 mile round-trip journey with approximately 1,200 ft (366 m) of elevation gain.   Not only is Dantes View incredible during the day, it is absolutely breathtaking at night. Death Valley National Park is an <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/deathvalley/">International Dark Sky Park</a>, so don’t forget to bring your telescope (or just use your naked eyes), because a visit during a new moon will provide a humbling glimpse of the Milky Way and stars above. A visit during a full moon is equally as grand, as the salt flats below glow a ghostly white. A 45 minute drive from Furnace Creek, Dantes View is well worth the detour off the main Highway 190 route.

Shafts of light stream through clouds over a dark mountain range and swirling white salt flats.

Dantes View

Considered one of the best scenic vistas in the park, Dantes View provides a birds-eye view of Death Valley.

The parking area is an uneven dirt lot at the end of a rough gravel road. There is no official trail but the route leads down into a dry desert wash dotted with small plants including creosote and desert holly. Hikers proceed up the wide gravely wash, making several turns as the wash bends between high rocky walls. The canyon walls gradually narrow the farther up you go, and water and willows begin to appear. As hikers proceed farther into the canyon, there is an increasing amount of vegetation including willows and cattails. There are several locations where the unofficial route branches, and hikers must climb over rocks or cross the stream (in some places, hikers have placed logs at crossings to avoid getting wet shoes). There are also areas with low-hanging branches. The route eventually dead ends at a small shallow pool about 20 feet (6 m) across. A rock cliff covered in wet moss rises from the opposite side of the pool and a narrow cascade of water flows over it into the pool, branching over a rock outcropping into and upside down V shape about 1/3 of the total waterfall height above the pool. Cattails grow in the pool to the left of the fall, and ferns cling to the cliff wall to the right of the fall.

<h3>Flowing water cascades into a shallow pool surrounded by lush green vegetation.</h3>   The above description is not one often associated with Death Valley, but the arid Mojave Desert makes an exception at Darwin Falls. Nestled in an unassuming canyon with no water flowing beyond the canyon mouth, few would guess that around several dry desert bends hides a world of water and life. Darwin Falls was named for an Army physician, Erasmus Darwin French, who came to the west in 1846 during the Mexican American war and prospected for silver in the area. At around 18 feet (5.5 m) tall, Darwin Falls is one of only a handful of year-round waterfalls in Death Valley National Park. The spring-fed water creates a truly special environment, allowing for the growth of trees, cattails, aquatic vegetation, and even ferns. Amphibians such as tree frogs and toads complete part of their lifecycle in these waters, and wildlife including bighorn sheep depend on the water’s flow for survival. Humans have also used this water for hundreds of years, and hikers may notice a metal pipe carrying water from the stream below the falls. Please do not enter the pool, as it is the drinking source for nearby Panamint Springs Resort. The trailhead for the falls is accessed via an unmarked gravel road 1.2 miles (2 km) west of Panamint Springs Resort and is not always passable by sedans; speak with a ranger about current road conditions before heading out.      <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 2 miles (3.2 km)   Round Trip Time: 1.5 - 2 hours Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 450 ft (137 m) Trail Type: No official trail, unmarked out and back route Location: Darwin Falls Road off CA-190 (2.5 mi/4km from turn off). Typically passable by sedans, but may be rocky and rutted and require a high clearance vehicle. Parking: Small uneven dirt area, not recommended for RVs Closest Restroom: No restrooms. The nearest facilities are located at the privately owned Panamint Springs Resort. Do not leave toilet paper near the trailhead or in the canyon. Route: Unmarked route. Fairly flat but becomes rocky as it transitions from a gravely desert wash into a high walled canyon. Inside the canyon thick vegetation, stream crossings, and large slick rocks create obstacles requiring caution. Please protect this fragile resource by hiking only where a previous route exists. NO SWIMMING - this water is the drinking source for Panamint Springs Resort. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

A thin waterfall splitting into a V near the bottom feeds a shallow pool surrounded by green plants.

Darwin Falls

A lush oasis and year-round waterfall in the desert.

Open desert with small washes and brown mountains to the east. Very little vegetation except small plants with few leaves. Walking beyond the dirt parking area brings hikers to a canyon with towering yellow hills/walls on both sides. Some areas of the canyon have mud cracks on the canyon floor and colorful deposits in the otherwise yellow/brown walls.

<h3>Colorful canyon walls and mud-cracked earth beckon those searching for an off-trail adventure.</h3>   This spectacular canyon is less frequently explored than other areas of the park, and offers a challenging hike with incredible scenery. Upon entering the canyon, visitors find themselves immersed in the badlands; geologic formations made up of fine, silt-like sediments that covered the bottom of an enormous lake which once stretched across much of Death Valley.  While hiking through these badlands, notice how easily the canyon walls crumble and erode. Badlands are greatly impacted by sudden downpours of rain, which quickly turn this canyon into a river of mud. Hikers will step over piles of dried sediment at the base of the canyon walls, and crisscross a section of deep mud-cracks, all of which were left behind from powerful flash floods and mudflows.  Most of the badlands in Desolation Canyon are a rich golden color, but as hikers progress up the canyon they will see some sections of green, red and purple rocks. Millions of years ago, when this area was under water, nearby volcanic eruptions deposited layers of ash and debris in the lake, which settled among the silts and clays at the bottom. After the lake evaporated away and exposed the badlands formations, the iron minerals in these ash deposits reacted with oxygen and developed colorful tints. Some of the best times to hike through Desolation Canyon are in the late afternoon and early evening, when the low light catches these colorful rocks.  <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 3.6 mile (5.8km) Round Trip Time: 2.5 hours Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Elevation Gain: 600 ft (183m) Trail Type: Out and back route- not an official trail Location: The short unpaved Desolation Canyon Road is located 3.7 miles (6km) south of CA-190 off Badwater Road.  Parking: Gravel parking area  Route: Up a canyon. After about a mile, hikers will encounter two dryfalls to scramble over; use caution, especially while descending. The route ends at the top of Desolation Canyon, with a spectacular view of Death Valley below. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

Two hikers walk up a wash with their backs to the camera, while the sun rises over the canyon wall.

Desolation Canyon

A favorite trail-less canyon for hiking and geology enthusiasts.

A platform completely encaged with metal fencing provides views of a teal blue pool below. The pool is approximately 70 feet long by 12 feet wide (22 meters by 3.5 meters). Steep rocky cliffs rise nearly vertically from three sides of the pool, and the fourth side is a sloped rocky descent from under the viewing platform.

<h3>Devils Hole, a disjunct portion of Death Valley National Park, is a water-filled, geothermal cave system and the only natural habitat for the highly endangered Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis). </h3>   Devils Hole is nestled within the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows/">Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge</a>, an incredibly biodiverse, spring-fed oasis in southern Nevada. The calm, carbonate-rich and oxygen-poor water of Devils Hole is a constant 33.5–34°C (93°F) in the deeper reaches of the cave and is often even warmer in the shallows. This combination creates a challenging environment for the tiny blue Devils Hole pupfish! These fish subsist on algae, invertebrates, and other micro-organisms found on a shallow rock shelf within the pool.  The water level in Devils Hole was protected by the United States Supreme Court in 1976 to help ensure the ongoing survival of this unique fish. With only about 100–180 individuals remaining in the wild, scientists continue their efforts to conserve the species for this and future generations to learn from and enjoy.  Ash Meadows is located approximately 50 miles east of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley and 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The refuge and Devils Hole are accessed via Spring Meadows Road. Refuge roads are dirt and gravel, and higher clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles may be required depending on conditions.  Due to the sensitive nature of Devils Hole, the pool is fenced and must be viewed from afar; bring binoculars to better see the tiny fish from the Devils Hole viewing platform. For a closer look at desert pupfishes, be sure to check out the other pools and species on the refuge!

Steep rocky cliffs rise up on 3 sides from the teal water of a pool containing research equipment.

Devils Hole

Peer into a vast aquifer in the Mojave Desert to observe one of the most endangered fishes on the planet.

A faint footpath begins at the parking area behind the restrooms and crosses rocky alluvial deposits. The rocks are mostly small, jagged, and various shades of brown. The trail descends steeply into a wash (about an 8 ft/ 2.4 m), and continues up the gravel into the canyon. The canyon walls are striped brown and gray and some sections are close together (approximately 20 ft/ 6 m). Passage is eventually blocked by a vertical smooth gray rock dryfall.

<h3>Towering walls and a smooth dry fall inspire awe along this unsigned route. </h3>   If you're looking for a less-traveled route with fascinating geology and ample opportunity for wildlife viewing, put Fall Canyon at the top of your list.    <hr />  HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 6 miles (9.7km)  Round Trip Time: 3.5 hours  Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Elevation Gain: 2,460 ft (752m) Trail Type: Unsigned route; out and back Location: 11.9 miles (19.2 km) north of CA-190 off Scotty's Castle Road (North Highway) at the end of the 2.7 mile (4.3km) unpaved two-way section of Titus Canyon Road. The road is usually passable to sedans. Parking: Open gravel parking area not recommended for large RVs or buses Closest Restroom: Vault toilet in parking lot. No restroom along the route. Do not leave toilet paper in the canyon. Route: A footpath starting behind the restroom takes hikers northwest along alluvial fan deposits at the base of the Grapevine Mountains. After about 1 mile (1.6 km), the path drops into a wash; follow the wash east to the mouth of the canyon. Progress up the canyon is eventually blocked by a dryfall; this is the turn-around point.  Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

Hikers are dwarfed by smooth, near-vertical walls in a shaded canyon.

Fall Canyon Narrows

The route up Fall Canyon is a moderately strenuous hike with towering narrows.

Fall Canyon

The paved parking lot leads to an uneven, undulating gravel area, which gives way to dirt, where the canyon begins. The canyon mouth is approximately 30 feet wide and has walls rising approximately 40 feet overhead. The walls of the canyon are yellow and brown and are composed of large rocks in addition to many small rocks which have been naturally cemented together. There is no actual trail, but hikers follow the dirt and gravel wash of the canyon floor, east into the canyon.

<h3>There's gold in these hills!</h3>   Of course, the gold isn't in the form of a precious metal, but instead refers to the incredible yellow coloration of the canyon walls. While a peek into the canyon mouth from the parking area will give visitors a glimpse of the canyon's secrets, hiking into the canyon offers so much more: towering walls, colorful side canyons beckoning for exploration, ripples formed by ancient water, now preserved in stone, the history of a road reclaimed in a flash-flood event, and the skittering of wildlife.   This easy/moderate hike is 2 miles (3.2 km) round-trip, and involves one 3 foot (1 m) rock scramble. Although most hikers turn around at the junction to Red Cathedral, those looking for a more adventurous hike can continue an additional 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the vertically fluted walls of a natural amphitheater- Red Cathedral (this involves scrambling and squeezing/crawling through rock spaces). An even longer trek- 7.8 miles (12.6 km), will take hikers to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/zabriskie-point-scenic-viewpoint.htm">Zabriskie Point</a>, before looping back to the parking area via Gower Gulch.  Want to learn more? Check out the Golden Canyon Hike audio tour on the free <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm">NPS App</a>. <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 2-7.8 miles (3.2-12.6 km) depending on route Round Trip Time: 1.5 to 4.5 hours depending on route  Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Elevation Gain: 535 ft to 834ft (163m to 254m) Trail Type: Official trail; loop or out and back depending on route Location: 2 miles (3.2 km) south of CA-190 on Badwater Road Parking: Paved lot. Large spaces for RVs and buses. Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in parking lot. No restroom along the trail. Do not leave toilet paper in the canyons.  Route: A maze of canyons and badlands create many choose-your-own-adventure hiking opportunities. Free maps available at Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

A gravel wash winds between bare yellow hills, with dark clouds overhead.

Golden Canyon

Here you are standing at the mouth of Golden Canyon which is approximatley 40 ft (12m) wide, with 30 ft (9m) tan rock walls rising nearly vertically on either side. The canyon floor is a gravel wash and many rocks of varying sizes and colors cover the uneven ground.

Tan canyon walls tower above a gravel wash which curves to the left deeper into the canyon.

Golden Canyon Tour Intro

Golden Canyon Hike Introduction

Yellow and beige adobe walls and rusty red metal vat ruins of a late 1800s borax processing plant. The ruins are built on a hill, and are two stories tall. There is no roof, and no glass in the windows. A 20 Mule Team wagon is parked below the ruins. This wagon consists of two large wooded wagons hitched together, with a rusty red water tender on wheels, hitched to the back.

<h3 style="margin-left: 40px;">Harmony Borax Works and the famous Twenty-mule team brought the desert of Death Valley into homes across America.</h3>   After borax was found near Furnace Creek Ranch (then called Greenland) in 1881, William T. Coleman built the Harmony plant and began to process ore in late 1883 or early 1884. When in full operation, the Harmony Borax Works employed 40 men, who produced three tons of borax daily. What little evidence remains indicates that the bulk of this labor force was composed of Chinese workers. The Chinese laborers gathered the impure chunks of mineral from the valley floor and loaded them into one-horse carts for transport to the borax plant. During the summer months, when the weather was so hot that processing water would not cool enough to permit the suspended borax to crystallize, Coleman moved his work force to the Amargosa Borax Plant near present day Tecopa, California. Getting the finished product to market from the heart of Death Valley was a difficult task, and an efficient method had to be devised. The Harmony operation became famous through the use of large mule teams and double wagons which hauled borax the long overland route to Mojave.The romantic image of the “<a href="https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/twenty-mule-teams.htm">20-mule team</a>” persists to this day and has become the symbol of the borax industry in this country. The Harmony plant went out of operation in 1888, after only five years of production, when Coleman’s financial empire collapsed. Aquired by Francis Marion Smith, the works never resumed the boiling of cottonball borate ore, and in time became part of the borax reserves of the Pacific Coast Borax Company and it successors. On December 31, 1974, the site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 0.4 mi (0.6km)  Round Trip Time: 30 minutes  Difficulty: Easy Elevation Gain: 50 ft (0.8km) Trail Type: paved, current conditions include sandy areas, uneven and missing pavement due to flood damage. Location: 1 mile (1.6km) west of Furnace Creek on CA-190 Parking: Paved area with large spaces for RVs and buses Closest Restroom: No restrooms. Furnace Creek Visitor Center 1 mile (1.6km) east. Route: The paved loop brings visitors around a mining site, where you can see adobe ruins and a 20-Mule Team wagon. Interpretive panels along the way explain borax processing, the story of the Mule Skinner, and life in Harmony. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

A large old double 20 Mule Team Wagon and water tank with yellow hills in the background.

Twenty Mule Team Wagon at Harmony Borax

The stories of borax (white gold) and the famous 20-mule teams come to life at this historic borax processing site.

Designation

Harmony Borax Works

A short walk from the parking area up a dirt road brings visitors to the historic mill and lower tramway terminal. These structures sit at the base of a gray rocky cliff, with taller Funeral Mountains beyond. The buildings are open air, several stories tall, and are constructed of large wooden timbers. A ravine runs behind and around the mill, with grated vertical mine openings on the opposite bank.

<h3>Gold ore soared over rugged desert ravines, safely nestled in the metal buckets of Keane Wonder Mine’s aerial tramway.</h3> Although Death Valley is most famous for white gold (borax), real gold was mined in the area as well. Discovered by accident in 1903 by Jack Keane and Domingo Etcharren, Keane Wonder Mine and the surrounding area was mined intermittently until 1942, with heyday years of 1907-1912. Unlike many Death Valley claims which drew much excitement but yielded little actual revenue, Keane Wonder Mine produced $625,000-$682,000 worth of gold during its boom years.  Part of what made Keane Wonder Mine so successful was the ingenious aerial tramway which was built to transport gold ore from the mine to the mill. The tramway included two terminals and thirteen towers, with cables spanning deep ravines and an overall vertical fall of 1,500 feet (457 m). Metal ore buckets were loaded at the top (approximately 70 tons of ore was transported each day!) and moved down the cables to the mill, a mile (1.6 km) away.  Many of the original structures have been stabilized and repaired, and visitors to the site can spend several minutes to an entire day exploring the area. The impressive timbers of the lower terminal and mill are a short walk from the parking area, and a strenuous climb along an unmaintained trail (approximately 0.3 mi/0.5 km) will bring hikers to the base of a tramway tower with views of a ravine with historic ore buckets at the bottom. More serious adventurers can climb the entire steep 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the upper terminal of the tramway and the mine itself.  The parking area is reached via a 2.8 mi (4.5 km) dirt road accessible to most vehicles (check for current conditions at the Visitor Center as washouts can occur) off the Beatty Cut Off Road. When visiting, please respect the history of this incredible site by not climbing on any of the structures or entering any of the mine openings. While many of the mine openings have been closed for visitor safety and are now the homes of native bats, some openings and metal debris still exist, so use caution when exploring.

View of an aerial tramway tower through large wooden timbers.

Keane Wonder Mine

Explore the remains of one of the most productive gold mines in Death Valley history.

The hike begins at a gravel parking area near a wash leading to the mouth of a desert canyon. Very little vegetation is present. The canyon quickly narrows to several feet wide and hikers wind through polished striated and mosaiced brown and white rock walls. The canyon widens and narrows along the hike, with towering rock walls reaching high overhead the entirety of the route. The canyon route is blocked in several places by jumbles of large boulders and rock walls.

<h3>Narrows, scrambling, and dryfalls make this hike a memorable adventure.   </h3> Mosaic Canyon is the perfect hike for geology lovers, and those seeking adventure. Here, hikers are greeted almost immediately by slick, winding narrows. Mosaic Canyon is the site of frequent flash floods (do not enter if there is a chance of rain!), and these narrows have been polished smooth by the scouring of debris-laden flood water.  As you proceed up the canyon, keep an eye out for the incredible mosaic breccia for which the canyon is named. Breccia is the scientific term for rock created by the natural cementing together of older smaller pieces of rock, and many examples of this can be viewed along the hike. The route varies in length depending on how much scrambling hikers want to do. Many people stop at the boulder jam approximately 1.3 miles (2 km) up the canyon, but it is possible to continue past this obstacle and continue through more narrows and open canyon, until the way is ultimately blocked by an impassable 25 ft (7.6 m) dryfall.   Located just west of Stovepipe Wells Village off CA-190, the trailhead for this hike is at the end of an unpaved access road typically passable by sedans.   <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 4 miles (6.4 km)  Round Trip Time: 2.5-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft (366 m) Trail Type: Out and back route Location: The end of the 2.3 mile (3.7km) unpaved Mosaic Canyon Road located near Stovepipe Wells Village across from Stovepipe Wells Campground  Parking: Large gravel parking area. Buses and large RVs not recommended. Closest Restroom: Stovepipe Wells Village at the general store and restaurant. Do not leave toilet paper in the canyon. Route: The route follows the canyon through several narrows and involves some scrambling. A 25ft (7.6m) vertical dryfall in a dramatic amphitheater marks the turn-around point.   Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

Horizontally striated rock walls rise from the bottom of a sparsely vegetated desert wash.

Mosaic Canyon

Natural mosaics and sculpted narrows beckon hikers along this quintessential Death Valley Canyon.

The parking lot is a large, roughly circular gravel and dirt area with a vault toilet located near the west side. Rocky mountains rise near the north east side of the parking area and additional colorful mountains with natural erosion drainages on their face stand to the east. A wide dirt path leads from the parking area up a gradual hill, around the corner of a cliff of the near mountain and into a canyon. At the edge of the parking area/beginning of the path, there is a triangular informational kiosk with a small wooden roof and a vertical interpretive panel on each side. One panel is a general overview of the trail route, another has diagrams and a description about how the bridge was formed, and the third is about desert hiking safety. Once hikers round the corner in the path they hike up the gradual incline of the canyon floor (wash) to the bridge. The wash is comprised of loose pebbles and gravel as well as several larger rocks approximately the size of basketballs. Brown and yellow vertical canyon walls tower above on both sides and gradually narrow as hikers continue further into the canyon. After about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) the bridge becomes visible farther up the canyon. The bridge spans the canyon and is approximately 35 ft (11 m) above the canyon floor and 35 ft (11 m) thick. The bridge is made of many small jagged rocks, pebbles, and sediment naturally cemented together and is a brownish yellow color. There is a rocky passageway carved by water on the north side of the bridge approximately 8 ft (2.4 m) above the ground.

<h3>Natural Bridge is a stunning geologic formation tucked back in a Death Valley canyon.</h3>   This is an excellent short hike for families, geology lovers, and those who simply enjoy getting out and exploring. Although there is no official trail, a walk straight up the wash from the parking area will bring hikers directly under the bridge. Different from the smooth sandstone arches found in Utah, Natural Bridge is interesting because it is made of a jagged rocky alluvial deposit (rock, gravel, and sediment washed to the base of an ancient mountain and cemented together). Hikers who continue beyond the bridge up the canyon will encounter more examples of interesting Death Valley geology including dry falls, vertical chutes, and hanging canyons. The bridge rises approximately 35 ft (11 m) above the canyon floor and is about 35 ft (11 m) thick. Although rain is infrequent in Death Valley, over thousands of years, flash flood events have carved the canyon which Natural Bridge spans today. At some point, the water changed course slightly and ran just north of the present location of the bridge (look for this diversion as you hike). This diversion lowered the level of the canyon just above the location of the bridge. Eventually, the water returned to its initial, straighter course, forming a hole under the span of the bridge and eventually lowering the floor of the canyon even more, creating the bridge and leaving it high and exposed.  Natural Bridge parking area and trail head is accessed via a dirt road 13.5 miles (22 km) south of CA-190 off Badwater Rd. Although the road is typically well-maintained and accessible by most vehicles, washouts and deep ruts can occur, so check with a ranger for current conditions.  <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 1 mi (3.2km) Round Trip Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: Easy Elevation Gain: 86 ft (26m) Trail Type: No official trail- out and back route up a canyon Location: Trailhead located at the end of the unpaved Natural Bridge Road, 13.5 miles (22 km) south of CA-190 off Badwater Rd. Check with a ranger about current road conditions. Parking: Open dirt parking area large enough for buses and RVs Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in parking lot. Do not leave toilet paper in the canyon. Route: The route from the information sign up the canyon to the bridge formation is easy to follow but is very rocky. The canyon continues a short distance beyond the bridge, where it abruptly ends at a dry waterfall. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

Vertical canyon walls with white salts flats in the distance seen from under a rock bridge formation

Natural Bridge

A short walk up a canyon brings hikers to a natural rock bridge formation spanning the canyon.

A wooden boardwalk approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) wide elevated up to approximately 3 feet (1 m) above the ground crisscrosses and parallels a shallow creek several inches to several feet deep and several feet wide. The surrounding landscape is white soil and salt with low bare hills rising to the north and south. Small green and gray woody plants dot the desert floor near the boardwalk and creek. Some plants may be visible under the water as well as macroinvertebrates (often insect larvae) and small (approximately 1 inch/2.5 cm in length) blue and green pupfish.

<h4>This area was severely impacted by flooding in summer 2022 and may be closed until fall 2023. Flooding changed the creek bed, destroyed the boardwalk and damaged the toilet.</h4> <h3>Rare water in the desert leads to an abundance of life.</h3> Those who visit Salt Creek during the summer witness a dry landscape with brittle plant life, but a return visit in the winter is an entirely different experience. When the air temperature drops, flowing water returns to the dry bed of Salt Creek. Pickleweed plants growing along the banks thirstily suck up this life-bringing water, birds can be seen in the shallows, and macroinvertebrates crawl and swim under the surface. Perhaps most exciting of all is the return of the Salt Creek Pupfish- small blue fish which dart in and out of the underwater vegetation.     Salt Creek pupfish are specifically adapted to the unique habitat of Salt Creek and can tolerate salt concentrations several times that of sea water. They take advantage of the cooler winter months to spawn, then as summer approaches, must retreat up the creek toward its spring-fed source to avoid perishing in the drying pools. Pupfish earned their name from the lively behavior they display during spawning, which some people liken to playful puppies. Located approximately 15 minutes west of Furnace Creek Visitor Center, off CA 190, Salt Creek is a unique haven in an arid environment. Here, visitors can view the pupfish and other species which rely on the water of the creek from a wooden ADA-accessible boardwalk which crisscrosses the creek. The boardwalk is a 0.5 mile (0.8 km) signed interpretive trail with information and benches along the way. Please be respectful of this VERY FRAGILE environment, and do not step off the boardwalk.     <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) Round Trip Time: 30 minutes   Difficulty: Easy  Elevation Gain: none-flat Trail Type: ADA accessible wooden boardwalk loop Location: Unpaved Salt Creek Road located 13 miles (20km) west of Furnace Creek off CA-190. Parking: Open gravel parking area large enough for RVs and buses   Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in the parking lot  Route: Boardwalk loop paralleling and crossing Salt Creek, with benches and interpretive signs.

A winding wooden boardwalk parallels a small creek surrounded by low green desert plants.

Salt Creek and Boardwalk at High Flow

Take a stroll along the boardwalk to discover the unique organisms which depend on the saline waters of Salt Creek.

Salt Creek

Dirt hiking trail which hugs the side and ridgeline of a mountain. The trail begins in a pinyon pine and mountain mahogany forest, climbs to a meadow with open views to the east and west, then continues to the summit with 360 views of desert canyons and valleys below and mountains in the distance.

<h3>The views from Telescope Peak are unsurpassed; to the east the swirling salt flats of Death Valley, and to the west the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains.  </h3> At 11, 049 ft (3368 m), Telescope Peak is the tallest mountain in Death Valley National Park. This dramatic change in elevation from the valley floor below allows hikers to explore meadows full of desert wildflowers, and an ancient bristlecone pine forest.     <hr /> Round Trip Length: 14 miles (22.5km) Round Trip Time: 7 hours  Difficulty: Difficult Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft (914m) Trail Type: Official out and back trail Location: From CA-190 follow Emigrant Canyon Road to the parking area at the Charcoal Kilns. The final 1.5 miles (2.4 km) beyond the kilns is a maintained gravel surface, but sometimes requires 4X4 high clearance. 25 ft vehicle length limit. Road closes with snow. Check with a ranger for current conditions. Parking: Open gravel area Closest Restroom: Vault toilet in nearby Mahogany Flat Campground. No restroom along the trail. Do not leave toilet paper in the backcountry.  Route: The trail immediately begins climbing from the trail head. After several miles hikers reach a mellow ridge walk, before the final push to the top of the peak. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

a cactus in the front with a prominent mountain behind

Telescope Peak

Hike to the tallest peak in Death Valley (elevation: 11,049 ft/ 3368 m).

A large roughly circular volcanic crater approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) in diameter and 500-777 feet (152-237 m) deep, with mountains in the distance. Dark volcanic material mantels the ground to a depth of about 80 feet (24 m), covering older sedimentary rock now exposed and forming the crater walls. This sedimentary rock has colorful red, brown, and pink layering, and has vertical erosion in many places. The walls are fairly steep/vertical, but a more gentle slope leads from the parking area overlook to the bottom of the crater. Some small plants (mostly green creosote and silver-colored desert holly) dot the more gentle slope and crater floor. The crater floor is covered in silt in some areas and sometimes collects water after rain. A trail leads around the rim of the crater and down the gentler slope to the crater bottom.

<h3>The earth shook, roared, and exploded. When the debris settled, a new crater appeared.</h3>   Ubehebe Crater in northern Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to explore the power of maar (explosion pit) volcanoes. It was here that molten lava came into contact with ground water, creating steam which eventually produced enough pressure to explode through the earth above and create a crater. Although Ubehebe Crater is only one of about a dozen craters in the Ubehebe volcanic field, it is the largest and youngest at an estimated 2,100 years old. The crater is approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) in diameter, and ranges from 500-777 feet (152-237 m) deep, depending which ridge it is measured from.  Ubehebe is easily viewed from the parking area, but an easy/moderate trail (1.5 miles/2.4 km) along the rim, allows hikers to marvel at the crater from all sides. Those wishing to explore farther can visit some of the other maars in the area, including Little Hebe Crater. Many visitors enjoy hiking into the depths of the crater, but remember that the hike back up is a difficult slog in ankle-deep debris, and should not be attempted during hot summer months. Afternoon and sunset are particularly grand times to visit this spectacular site. In this lighting, the colorful layers of the sedimentary rock exposed by the explosion become quite obvious, along with the mantle of dark ejected material which caps these older deposits. Allow an hour drive time from Furnace Creek and come prepared for windy conditions. Please visit this area with respect, as it is an important cultural site for the Timbisha Shoshone people.      <hr /> HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER Ubehebe Rim Hike Round Trip Length: 1.5 miles (2.4 km)  Round Trip Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152m) Trail Type: Official loop trail Location: 8 miles (13km) west of Scotty's Castle Parking: Paved lot directly overlooking the crater- large enough for buses and large RVs Closest Restroom: No restrooms. Nearest restrooms are located at the unstaffed Grapevine Ranger Station 5 miles (8km) east of the crater.  Route: Exposed edges! Not good for those with a fear of heights. Often done in a counter-clockwise direction, beginning with an uphill section. Little Hebe Crater comes into view in 0.5 mi (0.8km) and is a common destination for those looking for a shorter trip.  Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

A visitor hikes in the bottom of a colorful crater with black cinders on the rim and eroded walls.

Ubehebe Crater

Discover Death Valley’s explosive past at this volcanic crater.

Ten gray/brown stone and mortar bee-hive shaped structures stand in a row, at the base of hills dotted with pinion pine and juniper trees. The structures are approximately 25 feet tall, with a 30 foot (9 meter) interior diameter. Each structure has an open arched doorway in the front, approximately 4.7 feet (1.4 meters) wide by 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, and a second open arched doorway in the rear, opposite the front doorway. The rear doorway is approximately 12 feet (3.7 meters) off the ground and is approximately 3 feet (1 meter) wide by 3.7 feet (1.1 meters) tall. Neither opening has a door. The kilns have three rows of open vent holes between the stones, which measure approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters)by 4 inches (10 centimeters) and are spaced 1.5 feet (0.46 meters) apart vertically. The floor is dirt.

<h3>“The Charcoal Kilns ought to be regarded as prime historic structures, perhaps the most significant structures in the Monument. The number of kilns- ten in all – is itself an attractive feature, especially since they are all laid out in a perfect line up in the canyon.”</h3> This excerpt from a study published in 1969 by National Park Service Historian, Benjamin Levy, reveals that a trip off the beaten path, up Wildrose Canyon, is well worth the detour. Completed in 1877 to supply charcoal for the Modock Mines 25 miles to the west in the Argus Range, these kilns were likely only used until 1879.    The kilns were built from local stone, and the mortar is a lime, sand and gravel mix. During the kilns’ operation, wood was harvested from the surrounding hillsides, loaded into the kilns, and fired to produce charcoal. The charcoal product was then transported by pack animal, and possibly wagons to be used in smelters for lead-silver mines. Charcoal was the preferred fuel source for use in mining furnaces because it burns more slowly than wood, and produces a much greater heat, which is needed for refining ores.   Many of the trees used as fuel in the kilns were local Pinion Pines. Pinion pines are the source of pine nuts (think-pesto!), which were a traditional staple of the Timbisha Shoshone diet. The nuts ripen in the fall, and can be stored for several years, making them a valuable food source. The best way to reach the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns is by taking the Emigrant Canyon Road turnoff of Highway 190 (minimum 1.5 hr detour). This paved road offers spectacular scenery, while winding through hills, valleys, and washes. Be alert for wild burros, whose ancestors were left behind during the mining days; these animals often stand in roadways and have been known to bite and kick when approached. The final 2 miles (3 km) is gravel, and although it is generally passable by most vehicles, check current conditions before making the trip.

Stone and mortar beehive structures in a row in patchy snow.

Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

Ten beehive shaped structures used to produce charcoal needed for Death Valley mining operations in the late 1800s.

Rocky uneven dirt trail which begins near the first of the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns. Pinon pine and Juniper trees grow to either side of the trail, as well as some small shrubs, grasses, and seasonal wildflowers. The trail ascends steeply initially then flattens out for about a mile following the side of a ridge and passing rock outcroppings. The trail then ascends even more steeply through a Pinon Pine forest, with a few shar switchbacks and exposed tree roots. Hikers eventually reach a saddle with a view through the trees of the swirling sands of the floor of Death Valley below. The climb to the peak continues through more forest and the trees open up as the trail reaches the summit. The summit is relatively flat with some rocks and small trees, shrubs and grasses. The summit affords panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the west, and the floor and foothills of Death Valley to the east.

<h3>Piñon pines, peaks, and panoramas in the Panamints!</h3>   Many hikers choose Wildrose Peak over Telescope Peak, daunted by Telescope’s additional elevation gain and mileage. However, if you are looking for an easier hike, don’t be fooled; Wildrose is quite the challenge! This strenuous trail lulls hikers into a sense of ease and confidence with an initial gradual climb following the contours of the mountain. After a little over a mile (1.6 km), this mellow stroll through a picturesque piñon pine and juniper forest turns into a steep climb, sure to increase the heartrate of even the most fit hiker. Hikers can enjoy a breather at the saddle, with views to the east of the swirling white sands of the floor of Death Valley, before continuing the ascent. After passing through more forest, the trees thin, and those who reach the summit are rewarded with a stunning 360 degree view of Death Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. <hr /> Round Trip Length: 8.4 miles (13.5 km)  Round Trip Time: 6 hours  Difficulty: Difficult  Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft (671 m) Trail Type: Official trail, out and back Location: Wildrose Charcoal Kilns. The final 2 miles (3.2 km) of the road are gravel and are usually accessible to sedans. May be impassable in winter due to snow.   Parking: Open gravel parking area Closest Restroom: Vault toilet in parking area. Do not leave toilet paper in the backcountry. Route: Strenuous hike through a pinon pine and juniper forest, with sweeping views from the summit. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.

overlooking a valley with white salt and mountains beyond

Vistas from Wildrose Peak

A strenuous trail leads to this spectacular peak in the Panamint Mountains.

Wildrose Peak

Bollards separate the parking lot from a paved trail which leads 1/4 mile (400 m) up a hill to the viewpoint. From the viewpoint, brown and yellow striped hills and several large washes are visible in the foreground. One hill, Manly Beacon, rises above the rest in a shape roughly that of an acute triangle. Beyond the hills, white salt flats spread across a brown, rocky valley floor, and large mountains rise in the distance.

<h3>Zabriskie Point is an iconic Death Valley vista, and a favorite location for viewing sunrise and sunset.</h3> The spectacular views from Zabriskie Point are some of the most photographed in Death Valley National Park. Named in honor of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/christian-brevoort-zabriskie.htm">Christian Zabriskie</a>, a prominent figure in the heyday of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, Zabriskie Point affords an elevated vista from which to marvel at the badlands below. These yellow and brown stripped hills have been shaped by the powerful force of water, and even during dry times, the path carved by this water is unmistakable. Gazing beyond the badlands, views of the salt flats covering the floor of Death Valley are visible in the distance, with the hulk of the Panamint Mountains towering above.   The most pronounced feature viewed from Zabriskie Point is Manly Beacon. This jutting high point rises to an elevation of 823 ft (251 m), and bears the name of one of the first <a href="https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/the-lost-49ers.htm">49ers</a> (gold rush pioneers) to visit the area. Manly Beacon is especially magnificent when viewed at sunrise or sunset.     A 15 minute drive east on Highway 190 from Furnace Creek Visitor Center will bring you to the parking area for this not-to-be-missed view point. From the parking lot, the point is a ¼ mile (400 m) walk up a hill on a paved trail. Those interested in hiking in the badlands can pick up the Badlands Loop Trail at the Zabriskie Point parking lot. Hiking distance varies depending on the route chosen: longer hikes can include Gower Gulch, Golden Canyon, and Red Cathedral.

tan and brown badlands with snowcapped mountains behind

Zabriskie Point

Experience the stark beauty of Death Valley at this iconic vista overlooking badlands and salt flats.

In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.