Beyond the trails maintained by the park, numerous peaks in Mojave National Preserve can be reached with off-trail hiking and scrambling. One worthy candidate is Fountain Peak. Fountain Peak is located near Mitchell Caverns whose parking lot in the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area provides a serviceable base camp. Before setting out, download the USGS topographical map of... Read more.

Off Black Canyon Road in Mojave National Preserve, the Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail is a must see! The namesake Ringbolts serve as hand holds and steps, granting passage through a couple steep and narrow sections on this 1.5-mile loop (or 0.5-mile out and back hike for those preferring to repeat the most exciting stretch of the hike). The Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail delivers a short fun... Read more.

The Kelso Dunes cover 45 square miles and rise 650 feet above the desert floor. What do you do with such a big pile of sand? Climb it! Even if you have hiked other dunes before, Kelso will be an interesting experience. The 3-mile round trip hike to the top features fantastic views of the surrounding dunes and peaks in Mojave National Preserve. The start of Kelso Dunes Trail A... Read more.

Amboy Crater is nestled halfway between Barstow and Needles, just off historic Route 66. It is located near, but not within, Mojave National Preserve. A visit to Amboy Crater will definitely take you back in time. Ten thousand years ago, this cinder cone volcano erupted, transforming the surrounding landscape. A 3-mile round trip trail leads up and into the crater, connecting to a path... Read more.

Golden Canyon - Gower Gulch Loop visits some of the most stunning landscapes in Death Valley National Park. The 4-mile hike begins with a one-mile trek up Golden Canyon. Numbered markers along the way make the canyon easy to follow. These markers correspond with an interpretive trail guide that tells the geological history of the land. The guide is available for purchase at the trailhead and... Read more.

Badlands Loop offers a great immersion into the terrain beneath Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park. This 2.5-mile hike is all badlands. Anyone who hiked the Golden Canyon - Gower Gulch Loop and enjoyed the middle section of the trek will love the Badlands Loop. The trail starts down an obvious gully just north of the Zabriskie Point parking lot. The gully expands as it descends,... Read more.

The 2-mile round trip hike up Natural Bridge Canyon is a great trek for those interested in learning about the geological history of Death Valley National Park. Also, the natural bridge is just cool to walk under. A panel at the trailhead provides illustrations of the various geological features visible in the canyon, making it easy for hikers to spot the faults, chutes, and mud drippings... Read more.

Badwater Basin is a must-stop on any first trip to Death Valley National Park. The elevation here is -282 feet, making this the lowest locale in North America. A wooden Sea Level plaque 282 feet over Badwater Basin lets visitors know just how low they've come. Badwater Basin Being able to brag about how far below sea level you've been is not the only reason to stop at Badwater Basin.... Read more.

Dante's View is the primary overlook in Death Valley National Park because it offers premier panoramic views. Below Dante's View is Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. Across the valley rises Telescope Peak, the highest in the park. Under the morning light, the views are breathtaking in every direction. It feels like cheating to be able to drive right up to such amazing... Read more.

Take a 00.25-mile walk around a Harmony Borax Plant to see a window into the mining past of Death Valley National Park. The Harmony Borax Site is considered to be an outdoor museum because the natural atmosphere in Death Valley preserves artifacts so well. The Harmony Borax plant and wagon cart are left right out in the open for visitors to come see. Along this paved loop, illustrated... Read more.