Hikes in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley covers some 3,000 square miles and is the largest national park in the lower 48 states. Badwater Basin, the lowest point North America, is among the park’s many attractions.

Death Valley receives approximately two inches of rain per year and the thermometer-busting temperatures have set world records. Hiking in the extreme summer temperatures can be dangerous. Many campgrounds close during the summer months. Late fall and early spring are the best time to visit most of Death Valley’s attractions.

The park’s highest point, Telescope Peak, towers over Badwater Basin at a height of 11,049 feet. Trails in the higher elevation around Telescope Peak are better suited for summer visits.

Highlights of Death Valley National Park

  • Take a short walk on the salt flats at the lowest place in North America - a required stop for first time visitors to Death Valley National Park.
  • This towering overlook above Badwater Basin offers panoramic views of Death Valley National Park.
  • This 2.5-mile loop offers a great immersion into the terrain beneath Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park.
  • An overlook provides a great view of this Death Valley National Park crater, and you can explore farther on any of three trails.
  • This 2-mile hike visits a refreshing year-round waterfall on the west side of Death Valley National Park.
  • This 2-mile hike is great for those interested in learning about the geological history of Death Valley National Park.
  • This 2 to 4-mile hike requires a bit of climbing and is a lesser-visited trail in Death Valley National Park.
  • This 1 to 3-mile hike explores the most visible sand dunes in Death Valley National Park.
  • This 4-mile loop visits some of the most stunning terrain in Death Valley National Park.
  • This 9-mile drive in Death Valley National Park crosses a sloping mountainside composed of vibrant soil colored by rich metals.

What are the best hikes in Death Valley National Park?

The greatest hike in Death for you depends on what you’re looking for, and there are a lot of awesome options.

On your first visis to Death Valley, drop down to Badwater Basin and check out Artist’s Drive. Make your way up to Dante’s View and enjoy a sweeping overlook with a couple short trails. Stop by Zabriskie Point along the way and look out over the park’s badlands. If you like what you see, hike Badlands Loop or Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop. Death Valley has several sand dunes. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are the easiest to explore. Mosaic Canyon offers a fun hike with interesting geology and Ubehebe Crater is like nothing else in the park. Death Valley has a lot of fun things to see and do!

Death Valley National Park Hiking

The trails and attractions below are listed from north to south and west to east. The outings may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help plan a trip to Death Valley. Each trail and attraction links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and everything else needed to explore the park. You can also view hikes around Death Valley National Park on the Hike Finder Map.

TrailDescriptionDistance Location
Death Valley Ubehebe Crater110Ubehebe Crater
You can get a great view of Ubehebe Crater from an overlook near the parking lot, and there are also three trails to choose from.
0 - 2 miles
0 - 275 feet

37.0108,
-117.4549
Mosaic Canyon Death Valley120Mosaic Canyon
This out and back hike starts up a smooth marble slot canyon and exposes visitors to unique Death Valley geology.
1 - 4 miles
100 - 750 feet
36.57193,
-117.14434
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Death Valley130Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
This hike explores the most visible sand dunes in Death Valley
1 - 3 miles
100 feet
36.6062,
-117.1150
Grotto Canyon Death Valley140Grotto Canyon
This out and back hike requires a bit of climbing and is a lesser-visited trail in Death Valley.
2 - 4 miles
625 feet
36.5823,
-117.1041
Death Valley Salt Creek150Salt Creek
This easy out and back hike crosses a short boardwalk bordering a rare desert stream.
1 mile
25 feet
36.5906,
-116.9906
Death Valley Harmony Borax160Harmony Borax
This short walk around the Harmony Borax plant offers a window into the mining past of Death Valley.
0.25 miles
25 feet
36.48003,
-116.87335
Death Valley Golden Canyon Gower Gulch170Golden Canyon - Gower Gulch Loop
This loop visits some of the most stunning terrain in Death Valley.
4 miles
675 feet
36.4207,
-116.8467
Death Valley Badlands180Badlands Loop
This loop offers a great immersion into the terrain beneath Zabriskie Point.
2.5 miles
300 feet
36.42085,
-116.8099
Death Valley Zabriskie Point190Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point offers a stunning panorama of the badlands near Furnace Creek.
0.25 miles36.42085,
-116.8099
Death Valley Scenic Drive200Twenty Mule Team Canyon
This 2.8-mile one way road lets visitors experience a fine canyon right from the driver’s seat.
0 miles36.40953,
-116.7947
Artists Drive Death Valley210Artist’s Drive
This 9-mile drive crosses a sloping mountainside composed of vibrant soil colored by rich metals.
0 - 0.5 miles36.32995,
-116.82995
Death Valley Darwin Falls220Darwin Falls
This out and back hike visits a refreshing year-round waterfall on the western edge of Death Valley.
2 miles
275 feet
36.32776,
-117.51466
Death Valley Wildrose Peak230Wildrose Peak
This out and back hike summits a 9,064-foot peak in the Panamint Mountain Range on the west side of Death Valley.
8.4 miles
2,200 feet
36.2467,
-117.0763
Death Valley Charcoal Kilns240Charcoal Kilns
These conical constructions converted lumber to charcoal for area miners from 1879 to 1882.
0 - 0.5 miles36.2467,
-117.0763
Death Valley Natural Bridge250Natural Bridge Canyon
This is a great out and back hike for those interested in learning about the geological history of Death Valley.
2 miles
400 feet
36.28115,
-116.7699
Death Valley Badwater Basin260Badwater Basin
This is the lowest place in North America -- a required stop for first time visitors to Death Valley.
0 - 1 miles36.2301,
-116.7671
Death Valley Dantes View270Dante’s View
This towering overlook above Badwater Basin offers panoramic views of Death Valley.
0 - 1 miles
0 - 200 feet
36.2206,
-116.7266
Sidewinder Death Valley280Sidewinder Canyon
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
500 - 750 feet
36.0650,
-116.7448
Ashford Mill Death Valley290Ashford Mill
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 miles35.9209,
-116.6813

View California Desert trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Death Valley National Park on the Hike Finder Map

Are you looking for other places to explore around Death Valley? The California desert has more great parks to visit, like:

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High View Nature Trail Joshua Tree National Park Hike Black Rock Canyon Hi-View Trail
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Tagged with · National Parks · Nature Trails · Yucca Valley
Distance: 1.35 miles · Elevation change: 325 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 9, 2018
Rock Spring Mojave National Park Rock Spring Loop Trail Rock House Hike
Water is something you don't see much of in Mojave National Preserve, certainly not just pooling on the ground as it does at Rock Spring. The constant source at Rock Spring helped inhabitants survive in the Mojave Desert for thousands of years and was even the site of a small U.S. Army post in the 1860s. Today you can reach the spring easily, along with a Rock House built in the 1920s and... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · Free Trails
Distance: 1.33 miles · Elevation change: 100 feet
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Kumeyaay Indian Village Site Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Native American morteros location to visit
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Tamarisk Grove Campground in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park camping
Tamarisk Grove Campground is one of four developed campgrounds in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with 27 sites, plenty of shade, amenities, and nearby hiking trails. Tamarisk Grove has interesting history too, originally serving as a San Diego County prison camp. Thanks to numerous park improvements, it won't feel like you are doing hard time to spend a little time at Tamarisk Grove... Read more.
By: Published: Last updated: January 16, 2018
Cactus Loop Trail Anza-Borrego Desert State Park self-guided cactus hike Tamarisk Grove Campground cacti nature trail cactus flowers hike
Broadly speaking, the desert is where you go to find cacti. Speaking specifically, Cactus Loop Trail is where you go in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to see lots of cacti. True you can spot these prickly plants throughout the park, but this self-guided nature trail explores a rocky ridge that is utterly blanketed with a variety of cacti. A state park provided trail guide pamphlet offers a... Read more.
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Tagged with · Borrego Springs · California State Parks · Free Trails · Nature Trails
Distance: 0.75 miles · Elevation change: 225 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 23, 2017