Best trails in Death Valley National Park
A superlative desert of streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicolored rock layers, water-fluted canyons and 3 million acres of wilderness. Full of nature and history, there are endless activities in the park. About the size of the state of Connecticut, one can spend weeks exploring Death Valley and only scratch the surface of what there is to see and do.
Top trails
- (4380)•Moderate•3.5 miNarrows, scrambling, and dryfalls make this hike a memorable adventure. Mosaic Canyon is the perfect hike for geology lovers and adventure-seekers. 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! These narrows have been polished smooth by the scouring of debris-laden flood water. As you proceed up the canyon, look for the incredible mosaic breccia for which it is named....
- (2728)•Moderate•2.9 miThe Golden Canyon Trail is a short hike up Golden Canyon to the base of the Red Cathedral formations. This popular day hike starts at a marked trailhead with parking on Badwater Rd., just south of Furnace Creek. The first mile of the trail is a mild hike up a canyon surrounded on all sides by golden rock formations and slot canyons. After the first mile, the route reaches a junction for the Gower Gulch Trail. Continue past this point into a narrow slot canyon. The trail becomes more...
- (2377)•Moderate•6.4 miThis loop trail in Death Valley National Park takes you through the colorful badlands of Golden Canyon, Red Cathedral, and Gower Gulch. The route offers a diverse landscape of vibrant rock formations, narrow canyon passages, and remnants of old borax mines. It begins with a scenic overlook from Zabriskie Point before descending into the heart of Golden Canyon. Follow the trail markers through the canyon to the Red Cathedral, a towering rock formation with hues of red and orange. From...
- (3420)•Easy•1.9 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe Badwater Basin is the lowest point in all of North America, at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. The Salt Flats trail goes right through it, offering visitors an opportunity to see the salt polygons that Death Valley is known for. Despite the basin’s name, the water here isn’t necessarily “bad,” just very salty. Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. There are 3...
- (2082)•Moderate•1.4 miThis out and back trail is reached by driving along a dirt road that comes off of Badwater Road. The Natural Bridge is made up of a jagged rock alluvial deposit, that tower about 35 feet above the canyon floor. You can continue past it to keep exploring the canyons. No pets are allowed on this trail.
- (1350)•Moderate•4.2 miThis heavily trafficked loop trail leads you to the mouth of Golden Canyon which is approximately 40 ft (12m) wide, with 30 ft (9m) tan rock walls rising practically vertically on either side. The canyon floor is a gravel wash and many rocks of varying sizes and colors cover the uneven ground creating a beautiful and slightly precarious path.
- (2314)•Moderate•2.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis popular out and back takes you to the majestic sand dunes. You can walk out as far as you'd like to explore and play. There is no defined trail, you can turn back whenever you are ready. It's worth going in the late afternoon when the sun hits the dunes, at sunrise for dramatic lighting, or even staying until the stars come out. Bring plenty of water for your trip and prepare accordingly! The dunes can create an optical illusion making the trail seem much shorter than it is.
- (1499)•Easy•0.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrSurrounded by a maze of wildly eroded and vibrantly colored badlands, this short hike to a spectacular viewpoint is one of the park's most famous. Zabriskie Point is a popular sunrise and sunset viewing location. The viewpoint is a short walk uphill from the parking area. Located east of Furnace Creek on Hwy 190. According to wheelchairtraveling.com: This trail is a favorite within the park. The desert views here at sunset are something else! Accessibility: There are 2 designated...
- (1082)•Moderate•0.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis is a short walk to an overlook that highlights colorful hills made from volcanic deposits that are rich in iron oxides and chlorite. This is a popular spot during sunset. This is a great spot to wander around and take in the other-worldly beauty of the landscape. The sand can be loose in sections, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
- (837)•Moderate•6.0 miThe views from Zabriskie Point are some of the most photographed in the country. Most people drive to it, but this loop option is a stunning hike and a really fun alternative if you feel like working for the views. Hike through badlands and Golden Canyon, which received its name for a reason. This is an absolute stunner of a hike. Pack the ten essentials, bring lots of water, and remember to cover up from the sun. Downloading offline maps is recommended.
Visitor info
National Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Submit your waiver through the link below at least one month prior to your visit.
This permit allows persons traveling on one motorcycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
Non-commercial Groups (e.g., Scout groups, church groups, etc.) entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per-person for each person on board, not to exceed $200.
This permit allows a single individual traveling on foot or individuals traveling on one bicycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
This permit allows all persons traveling with the permit holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/RV/aircraft) to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish during the 7-day period from the date of purchase.
This pass allows all persons traveling with the pass holder in one single private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) or those on a motorcycle to leave and re-enter the park as many times as they wish for 12 months from the month of purchase.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Scotty’s Castle are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning. Social stories are available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and on the website.
Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille materials are available.
Many ranger-led programs have ASL interpreters available by reservation. Please contact the park at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Death Valley National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Scotty’s Castle are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning. Social stories are available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and on the website.
The Furnace Creek Ranch has wheelchair accessible rooms. It also has a wheelchair accessible general store, restaurants, saloon, borax museum, and post office. Furnace Creek Inn and Stovepipe Wells Resort have wheelchair accessible rooms. They also have wheelchair accessible swimming pools with lifts.
There are accessible restrooms or vault toilets at the following trailheads: Badwater, Zabriskie Point, Sand Dunes, Charcoal Kilns, Artist’s Palette parking on Artist’s Drive, and Ashford Mill.
Furnace Creek Campground has individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and restrooms.
Texas Spring Campground has individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and restrooms in the upper loop.
Sunset Campground has 16 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and restrooms.
Stovepipe Wells Campground and Mesquite Springs Campground have no individual wheelchair accessible camping sites but have accessible restrooms and parking.
Thorndike Campground and Mahogany Flat Campground have no individual wheelchair accessible camping sites but do have accessible vault toilets.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
