Hikes in the California Desert
Below is a list of trails in the California desert. These hikes are listed from north to south, but the table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next trek. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these trails.
Hiking the California Desert
Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Death Valley National Park combine to protect 7,500 square miles of California desert. Within these parks lie volcanic craters, sand dunes, oases, and some of the most fascinating geology in the United States. The best way to see may of these features is on foot. Choose a trail from the list below and begin exploring the California desert.
| Trail or Attraction | Description | Distance | Latitude, Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley A parking lot along the rim provides a great view of the crater, and there are also three trails to choose from. | 0 - 2 miles | 37.012327, -117.455034 |
 | Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley This out and back starts up a smooth marble slot canyon and exposes visitors to unique Death Valley geology. | 1 - 4 miles | 36.570411, -117.143455 |
 | Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley This hike explores the most visible (but not the largest) sand dunes in Death Valley | 1 - 3 miles | 36.618876, -117.1136 |
 | Grotto Canyon in Death Valley This out and back requires a bit of climbing and is a lesser-visited trail in Death Valley. | 2 - 4 miles | 36.583024, -117.104058 |
 | Salt Creek in Death Valley This easy out and back crosses a short boardwalk bordering a little creek. | 1 mile | 36.605937, -116.990891 |
 | Harmony Borax in Death Valley This short walk around the Harmony Borax plant offers a window into the mining past of Death Valley. | 0.25 miles | 36.479987, -116.873517 |
 | Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop in Death Valley This loop visits some of the most stunning terrain in Death Valley. | 4 miles | 36.420525, -116.847839 |
 | Badlands Loop in Death Valley This loop offers a great immersion into the terrain beneath Zabriskie Point. | 2.5 miles | 36.419884, -116.812431 |
 | Zabriskie Point in Death Valley Zabriskie Point offers a stunning panorama of the badlands near Furnace Creek. | 0.25 miles | 36.419884, -116.812431 |
 | Twenty Mule Team Canyon in Death Valley This 2.8-mile one way road lets visitors experience a fine canyon right from the driver’s seat. | 0 miles | 36.406155, -116.793594 |
 | Artist’s Drive in Death Valley This 9-mile drive crosses a sloping mountainside composed of vibrant soil colored by rich metals. | 0 - 0.5 miles | 36.368588, -116.802878 |
 | Darwin Falls in Death Valley This out and back hike visits a refreshing year-round waterfall on the western side of Death Valley. | 2 miles | 36.320721, -117.523908 |
 | Wildrose Peak in Death Valley This out and back summits a 9,064-foot peak in the Panamint Mountain Range, which runs down the western side of Death Valley. | 8.4 miles 2,200 feet | 36.276135, -117.079504 |
 | Charcoal Kilns in Death Valley These conical constructions converted lumber to charcoal for area miners from 1879 to 1882. | 0 - 0.5 miles | 36.246617, -117.075984 |
 | Natural Bridge Canyon in Death Valley This is a great out and back for those interested in learning about the geological history of Death Valley. | 2 miles | 36.283208, -116.771135 |
 | Badwater Basin in Death Valley This is the lowest place in North America -- a required stop for first time visitors to Death Valley. | 0 - 1 miles | 36.230242, -116.767634 |
 | Dante’s View in Death Valley This towering overlook above Badwater Basin offers panoramic views of Death Valley. | 0 - 1 miles | 36.221239, -116.726232 |
 | Sidewinder Canyon in Death Valley This out and back hike visits narrow slot canyons full of pour-overs, carve outs, and dark passages that beg to be explored. | 4 - 7 miles | 36.065292, -116.745064 |
 | Ashford Mill in Death Valley These ruins, where gold was once processed for the Ashford Mine, provide an example of how tough life can be in this harsh desert. | 0.1 miles | 35.918925, -116.683303 |
 | Teutonia Peak in Mojave National Preserve The out and back crosses a Joshua tree forest to summit a short peak with a great view of Cima Dome. | 4 miles 700 feet | 35.300458, -115.563498 |
 | New York Peak in Mojave National Preserve This out and back summits the highest point of the New York Range in the northeast corner of the preserve. | 7 - 9 miles 2400 feet | 35.258600, -115.306377 |
 | Lava Tube in Mojave National Preserve This short out and back drops underground into an old lava tube lit by holes in the surface. | 0.6 miles 150 feet | 35.216347, -115.751525 |
 | Petroglyphs in Mojave National Preserve This faint path visits ancient engravings in the volcanic rock at the western rim of the cinder fields just off Kelbaker Road. | 0.25 miles | 35.205572, -115.872077 |
 | Hole-in-the-Wall in Mojave National Preserve This loop takes visitors through a landscape of pocketed rocks. Ringbolts allow fun passage through narrow canyons. | 1.5 miles | 35.043746, -115.398252 |
 | Fountain Peak in Mojave National Preserve This off trail trek summits a peak with commanding views over the Providence Mountains. | 5 miles 2700 feet | 34.945976, -115.537555 |
 | Kelso Dunes in Mojave National Preserve This out and back climbs the highest point in this 45 square mile dune field. | 3 miles 470 feet | 34.945976, -115.537555 |
 | Silver Peak in Mojave National Preserve This out and back summits a 6.365-foot peak in Granite Mountains. | 8.5 miles 2,500 feet | 34.812283, -115.695982 |
 | Amboy Crater This out and back travels up and into this "Mojave National Preserve adjacent" crater. | 3 miles | 34.544646, -115.790627 |
 | Fortynine Palms Oasis in Joshua Tree The 3-mile round trip hike visits a cool desert oasis. | 3 miles | 34.105651, -116.10479 |
 | Indian Cove in Joshua Tree The 101-site campground is home to a 0.6-mile interpretive trail and endless bouldering and rock climbing opportunities. | 0.6 - 2 miles (or more) | 34.094833, -116.15747 |
 | Warren Peak in Joshua Tree This out and back hike summits a peak with impressive views over the west side of Joshua Tree. | 5.5 miles 1,000 feet | 34.055136, -116.407381 |
 | Desert Queen Mine in Joshua Tree This 1.6-mile hike follows a level desert trail to an overlook before crossing a canyon to visits the ruins of an old gold mine. | 1.6 miles | 34.025433, -116.078167 |
 | Lucky Boy Vista in Joshua Tree This level out and back visits a modest overlook at the site of an old mine. | 2.5 miles 125 feet | 34.017818, -116.082237 |
 | Barker Dam in Joshua Tree This level loop visits a small foreign-looking reservoir within the Wonderland of Rocks | 1.5 miles | 34.024896, -116.142061 |
 | Hidden Valley in Joshua Tree This loop circles the interior of a small valley surrounded by tall rocks that serves as an excellent bouldering arena. | 1 mile (or more) | 34.012743, -116.168729 |
 | Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree This out and back hike offers summit views from the center of Joshua Tree National Park. | 3 miles 1600 feet | 34.094833, -116.15747 |
 | Lost Horse Mine in Joshua Tree This out and back visits a well-preserved mine and mill. | 4 miles | 34.094833, -116.15747 |
 | Inspiration Peak in Joshua Tree This out and back leaves the crowds at Keys View for even grander views from a 5,550-foot summit. | 1.2 miles 425 feet | 33.931799, -116.192701 |
 | Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree This loop offers a stroll through an intense concentration of Cholla cacti. | 0.25 miles | 33.925302, -115.928777 |
 | Mastodon Peak in Joshua Tree This 2.6-mile loop visits a 3,400-foot summit with panoramic views of southeastern Joshua Tree. | 2.6 miles 440 feet | 33.735165, -115.799682 |
 | Lost Palms Oasis in Joshua Tree This out and back visits an oasis nestled between mountains in the southeast corner of the park | 7.2 miles | 33.712768, -115.762737 |
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