Hiking Guide

HIKING GUIDE

Briefings of 26 hikes in the wild Death Valley Territory (roughly 100 miles)

Death Valley National Park offers some very fascinating hiking opportunities, from mild short strolls to wild challenging treks. There are not many dedicated or constructed hiking trails in this National Park due to its wild and unpredictable nature. Many hikes are cross country or on footpaths formed by previous hikers who enjoy a particular area. Do not venture away from the common hiking areas around Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells unless you are athletically fit, well prepared for any eventuality, and confident of your hiking ability. The hiking in the Death Valley territory is strikingly unique and not available in such diversity anywhere else, yet these activities carry with them the challenge of serious personal responsibility.

Hiking locales are virtually unlimited here, primarily because 96 percent of the Park is designated wilderness, and off limits to vehicles of any kind. If you are looking for unparalleled hiking seclusion, you have most definitely come to the right place! You WILL find it here, many times over. The hikes listed below are some of the more common ones, along with some little known hikes, but there are so many more places you can tread on foot that no attempt will be made here to document them all.

Each hike is rated with a descriptor of either easy, moderate, or difficult. These are subjective ratings at best, based on my own personal perceptions, and are aimed solely at what I perceive from the viewpoint of a moderately fit person. People with medical concerns of any kind, including obesity, or those who are handicapped in any way, should only attempt the easiest hikes. Mileage listed is approximate, and indicates the roundtrip. Distances are deceptive, and always farther than appear.

TRAILS ARE RATED ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION FOR LESS CAPABLE HIKERS.

A difficult trail may also have many easy sections. An easy trail today may be an impassible trail tomorrow!

Always be sure to carry ample water and food on ANY hike you take in this remote territory. Be prepared for uncertainty at all times. If hiking in a canyon or wash, be alert to weather developing in the mountains or hills above you, and be ready to move to higher ground should rains begin. Flash flood danger is ever present in the lower elevations. The commonly preferred months to hike are October through April, when weather is cooler. Summer temperatures can threaten your life if hiking below sea level during the hotter months. Temperatures can drop as much as 4 degrees for every thousand feet elevation gain – be aware of this if hiking the high mountains during cooler months, where snow and freezing temperatures can threaten your life. Please review the risk disclaminer following the hiking briefs.

Hiking distances indicated are roundtrip and approximate

BADWATER BASIN: A seemingly flat 8 mile walk, or longer if you are here in July and become dehydrated, disoriented, and delirious – paved access from the Badwater parking area on Highway 178, about 15 miles south of Furnace Creek – it’s downhill to the lowest walkable place in North America (-282 feet), then uphill back to your vehicle – bring sunglasses and keep your body covered from the intense blinding light of the salt flat – keep off this ground if wet – at the lowest point, look up and west to the summit of Telescope Peak, 11,331 feet above you (another great hike). MODERATE

CHLORIDE CITY: A very hilly and mountainous undefined hike through the remains of a ghost town – paved and dirt access from the Boundary Canyon road that becomes Highway 374 once it enters Nevada, about 15 miles east of Stovepipe Wells – it’s mostly drivable on dirt roads, but can be day hiked if you are so inclined. MODERATE

CORRIDOR CANYON: A very strenuous 4 mile mountain and canyon hike to an incredibly remote and constricted canyon – dirt access from the Racetrack Valley road, about 29 miles southwest of Scotty’s Castle – go with a very capable group of people, for rescue is as remote a possibility as the land itself. DIFFICULT

DARWIN FALLS: A moderate 2 mile constricted and overgrown canyon hike to very idyllic waterfalls – dirt access from Highway 190, about 1 mile west of Darwin – this is a locale that few would imagine exists in Death Valley National Park – additional falls can be accessed if you wish to scramble up rock cliffs to the upper sets of falls. MODERATE

EUREKA SAND DUNES: A difficult and sandy 4 mile hike to the top of sand dunes nearly 700 feet high – dirt access from the South Eureka Dunes road, about 40 miles northwest of Scotty’s Castle – these are the dunes that sing or bark when wind conditions are right – views from the top include the striated Last Chance Range to the east, and the Saline Range to the west. DIFFICULT

FALL CANYON: A moderately difficult 5 mile hike in a spectacular canyon with high rock walls, similar to Titus canyon but without the road – paved access from the road to Scotty’s Castle, and then dirt for 3 miles to the parking area – about 23 miles north of Stovepipe Wells – park in the dirt lot where Titus Canyon exits the Grapevine Mountains – this canyon is the one just north of Titus Canyon – longer hikes can continue on up to the crest of the Amargosa Range for more determined hikers. DIFFICULT

GOLDEN CANYON: A relatively easy 5 mile hike through Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point, and then back down Gower Gulch – paved access from Highway 178, about 3 miles south of the Furnace Creek visitor’s center – Red Cathedral lives in here, and photographs in late afternoon of this terrain can be awesome – this could be a one-way hike to Zabriskie Point if someone picks you up on the other end, which is paved on Highway 190 – don’t miss Manly Beacon while here. EASY

GROTTO CANYON: A 1 to 6 mile hike in an incredibly tight canyon where some passages are only wide enough for a human – dirt access from Highway 190, about 3 miles east of Stovepipe Wells village – can be made a more difficult hike if you choose to go farther up canyon to dryfalls that must be scrambled (hopefully they’re dry at least, because if you see water coming, you’re in trouble) – don’t hike here if you’re claustrophobic. EASY

HARMONY BORAX WORKS: An easy 0.25 mile walk around the old Harmony Borax plant, where an original set of 20 mule team wagons is displayed in a fenced area – dirt access from Highway 190, about 2 miles north of Furnace Creek visitor’s center – the history here will keep you enthralled as you are transported back to the hard working times of the 1880s. EASY

HUNGRY BILL’S RANCH: A strenuous 3 mile canyon hike to an old and historic fruit and nut ranch – dirt access from the dirt West Side road, about 30 miles south of Furnace Creek visitor’s center – trail is narrow and cliffside in places – numerous stream crossings – lots of wildlife – on the eastern slope of the Panamint Range – an extended trek can be done from the ranch, over the top of Panamint Pass, and down into Surprise Canyon to Panamint City … very difficult, requiring primitive overnight camp. DIFFICULT

INYO MINE: An easy or moderate undefined hike around the ruins of a historic mining camp and ghost town – dirt access from the Echo Canyon road, about 2 miles south of the Furnace Creek visitor’s center – a great walk for ghost town enthusiasts – you’ll also enjoy the Eye of the Needle natural formation on your drive in. EASY

JEAN LEMOIGNE’S CAMP: A relatively difficult 4 mile hike to the remains of famous prospector Jean LeMoigne’s old camp and mine – dirt access from Highway 190, about 7 miles southwest of Stovepipe Wells village – the road in is very rough. DIFFICULT

MARBLE CANYON: A fascinating 3 mile hike into a very narrow and constricted canyon with high walls and petroglyphs – dirt access from the Cottonwood Canyon road, about 11 miles east of Stovepipe Wells village – much longer hikes can be enjoyed by continuing on over dryfalls into Deadhorse Canyon, and even up to the Goldbelt Spring area northeast of Hunter Mountain. MODERATE

MOSAIC CANYON: An easy and relaxing 1 to 4 mile canyon hike into constricted rock narrows – dirt access from Highway 190 at Stovepipe Wells – the farther you hike up canyon, the greater the difficulty level – some portions are so tight that people barely fit through them – requires some scrambling. EASY

NATURAL BRIDGE: An uphill 0.5 mile hike to a rock formation that forms a natural bridge or archway – dirt access from Highway 178, about 15 miles south of the Furnace Creek visitor’s center – dirt road in is very well graded. EASY

PANAMINT CITY: A difficult 14 mile canyon hike up Surprise Canyon to the infamous Panamint City ghost town – dirt access from the Indian Ranch road, about 27 miles northeast of Trona – used to be a drivable road, however severe weather events and environmental closure have made this a trek only for the most athletic distance hikers – includes scrambling over several difficult dryfalls – best done with an overnight primitive camp – your reward is the old smelter chimney and abandoned ghost town of Panamint – study the fascinating history before you go. DIFFICULT

SALT CREEK: An easy 0.5 mile boardwalk hike over and around Salt Creek – dirt access from Highway 190, about 15 miles northwest of Furnace Creek visitor’s center – here is where some of the cute Pupfish live, little critters around an inch or so long – water is saltier than the ocean, however by how much depends from which source you get the information. EASY

SARATOGA SPRING: An easy 1 mile hike to the amazing little body of water that appears to be a small lake or a huge spring – dirt access from Highway 127, about 37 miles northwest of Baker – longer hikes can easily be made by exploring the old mining roads and ruins, off limits to vehicles – this is the extreme southern end of Death Valley,with nice views of the Panamint and Amargosa Mountain Ranges – remote and rarely visited. EASY

SCOTTY’S CASTLE: An easy 0.5 mile walk around the grounds of the Death Valley Ranch of Albert and Bessie Johnson, commonly known as Scotty’s Castle – paved access from the Grapevine Canyon road, about 53 miles northwest of the Furnace Creek visitor’s center – guided tours are available for a fee, which will increase the walking involved – food and gift shops are also available. EASY

STOVEPIPE SAND DUNES: A moderate to difficult undefined hike to the top of sand dunes in sight of Stovepipe Wells village – paved access to parking along Highway 190, about 2 miles east of Stovepipe Wells village – long hikes can be made in and around the sand piles – these are the dunes that are most often photographed for postcards and vistas of the area – views from the top include the Cottonwood Mountains to the west, the Amargosa Range to the east, and Tucki Mountain to the south. MODERATE

TELESCOPE PEAK: A difficult, steep, and precipitous 14 mile hike to the top of the highest elevation in Death Valley National Park, 11049 feet above sea level, and 11,331 feet above Badwater Basin immediately to the east – dirt access from the Wildrose Canyon road, about 39 miles east of Panamint Springs Resort – generally necessitates an overnight at Mahogany Flat primitive campground for most enjoyable experience – all day hike, with unsurpassed vistas in all directions, including far into Nevada – only for the most athletic and experienced hikers – best in late September before snow falls. DIFFICULT

THE GRANDSTAND: An easy and absolutely flat 1 mile hike across The Racetrack playa to a huge outcropping of rock from the dry lake bed floor – dirt access from the Racetrack Valley road, about 35 miles southwest of Scotty’s Castle – a short scramble up the rocks provides grand views of The Racetrack, and you may also see a few boulders with paths behind them that have fallen off this outcropping and onto the lake bed. EASY

THE RACETRACK MOVING ROCKS: An easy and absolutely flat 1 mile hike across The Racetrack playa to be amidst many small to large boulders, most of which have long trails etched into the playa surface behind them … a fascinating phenomenon that has captured the imaginations of many over the years – dirt access from the Racetrack Valley road, about 40 miles southwest of Scotty’s Castle – study the rocks, their sizes, and hardened tracks to determine a theory of how the forces of nature determine the directions of travel. EASY

TITUS CANYON: An easy canyon hike into one of the most beloved areas of the Park – dirt access from the Scotty’s Castle road, about 22 miles northwest of Stovepipe Wells village – park at large dirt lot three miles from pavement – one way vehicular traffic comes down the narrow canyon with spectacular walls – when the canyon is closed to vehicles after storm damage to the road, hikers will have it all to themselves (more often than you might think) – distances for this hike can be as short as a mile or as far as you have the ability and desire to go, even into Nevada and on to Rhyolite if you are a long distance backpacker. EASY

WILDROSE PEAK: A moderately difficult 8 mile hike to the 9,064 foot summit that is Telescope Peak’s little sibling – dirt access from the Wildrose Canyon road, about 36 miles east of Panamint Springs Resort – could necessitate an overnight at Thorndike primitive campground depending on how late you start – beautiful vistas in all directions – recommended for athletic people – best in late September before snow falls. DIFFICULT

WINDY POINT: A moderate 0.75 mile hike up a steep hill behind the Death Valley Ranch (Scotty’s Castle) to the hillside where Death Valley Scotty is buried – paved access from the castle parking lot – will make most people out of breath if walked briskly – very nice views of the Johnson ranch house complex from 160 feet above. MODERATE

WARNING OF INHERENT RISKS

Backcountry exploration, travel on unpaved primitive roads, and hiking far from human habitation can endanger yourself and your vehicle. Such activity carries with it inherent risks including, but not limited to, tire punctures, sheet metal damage from rocks, paint scratches, vehicular destruction, hypothermia, dehydration, starvation, wild animal attack, consequences from medical problems arising in the absence of a medical professional, and death. Prior to embarking upon a backcountry safari, you must personally evaluate these potential outcomes, voluntarily choose to explore with full understanding of the inherent risks involved, and do so while fully accepting personal responsibility for yourself, your vehicle, and anyone in your care. While all reasonable diligence has been brought to bear in the creation of this website to inform you how to keep you and your vehicle safe from harm, there are no guarantees or promises, stated or implied, given to you by WildDeathValley.com with regards to the risks involved in any backcountry activity. Backcountry exploration is always unpredictable and often dangerous. Never go alone or with only one vehicle. Always inform Rangers of your intended route.

YOU CHOOSE TO EXPLORE THE BACKCOUNTRY ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK!