Badlands Loop – Death Valley National Park

  Verified Hike
Hikers on the Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Hikers on the Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Badlands Trailhead, Death Valley National Park, California
Badlands Trailhead, Death Valley National Park, California
Manly Beacon and the Red Cathedral Cliffs, Death Valley National Park, California
Manly Beacon and the Red Cathedral Cliffs, Death Valley National Park, California
Hikers on the upper Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Hikers on the upper Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
The Badlands, Death Valley National Park, California
The Badlands, Death Valley National Park, California
Monolith over the Badlands, Death Valley National Park, California
Monolith over the Badlands, Death Valley National Park, California
Hiking along the Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Hiking along the Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Badlands Trail 1
Badlands Trail
Map location of CA-190, Death Valley National Park, California

Photo credit J Whiting, All Rights Reserved

Badlands Trail 7
Badlands Trail 2

Photo credit David Whiting, All Rights Rserved

Badlands Trail 3

Photo credit J Whiting, All Rights Reserved

Badlands Trail 4

Photo credit David Whiting, All Rights Rserved

Badlands Trail 5

Photo credit David Whiting, All Rights Reserved

Badlands Trail 6

Photo credit David Whiting, All Rights Reserved

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Hikers on the Badland Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
Badlands Trailhead, Death Valley National Park, California
Manly Beacon and the Red Cathedral Cliffs
Hikers on the upper Badlands Trail, Death Valley National Park, California
The Badlands, Death Valley National Park, California
Monolith over the Badlands, Death Valley National Park, California
Flowering tree at the Furnace Creek oasis, Death Valley National Park, California
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T ravel a trail in the badlands below Zabriskie Point. The trail is often used as a loop option and to access the Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch trail system.

Total Distance: 2.7 mile lollipop loopElevation Gain: 542ft. (650ft. to 289ft.)
Difficulty: Moderate5+ Mile Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 starsAuthor’s Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
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Pets: NoHorses: No
Best Seasons: Morning in November-AprilSpecial Permits: None
Water Availability: NoneOvernight Options: None
Trailhead Amenities: Primitive RestroomCrowd Factor: Crowded
Trailhead Access: 0.6
Uses: Day hiker icon No Horses Icon No Dogs IconTrail Surface: Dirt Trail Surface Icon Gravel Trail Surface Icon Wash Trail Surface Icon
Features: Views Trail Feature Icon Colorful Rocks Trail Feature Icon Badlands Trail Feature Icon Rock Formation Trail Feature IconHazards: Hot Day Icon No Water Icon Flash Flood Icon Mine Trail Feature Icon

Mile-by-Mile: Badlands Trail

0.0 Zabriskie Point Trailhead (650ft.). Instead of following the paved path up the hill to Zabriskie Point, turn right to hike north on the gravel path. The trail will turn west into the badlands to work its way downward. Enjoy the views from the trail. (36.420784°, -116.810197°)

0.5 Trail Junction (487ft.). This is the point where the loop begins. This guide turns right to work its way over and around many badland hills. (36.419640°, -116.815615°)

1.1 Golden Canyon Trail Junction (357ft.). Turn left down the wash to continue on the Badlands Loop. (36.419260°, -116.822438°)

1.4 Gower Gulch (289ft.). Turn left to continue on the Badlands Loop. The route winds up Gower Gulch between the badlands. (36.416728°, -116.825755°)

2.2 Turn left (483ft.). Turn left up the side wash – the trail will reconnect to the trail up to the Zabriskie Point Parking Area after a few feet. Continue straight (up the wash at this point) to return to the parking area. (36.419434°, -116.815536°)

2.7 Zabriskie Point Trailhead (650ft.). (36.420784°, -116.810197°)

History & More

The pointy monolith standing up from the badlands is Manly Beacon. It was named for William Manly, a local miner and hero. At the age of 29, Manly moved from his native state of Vermont to fill his thirst for gold fever as one of the ‘49ers. He tried to float the Green River to the Colorado River, but eventually native guides took him and the others with him overland. He then set out with other families and ‘49ers to cross Death Valley. The group became stranded, so Manly and another traveler, John Haney Rogers (of Roger’s Peak), walked 250 miles across the Mojave Desert almost to Los Angeles to find a route out. The two were able to buy supplies and return to lead the party to safety.

The term “badlands” was created by the Lakota people who settled near the White River tributary of the Missouri River. It was adopted French Canadian fur traders who noted how difficult the area was to travel through. “Les mauvaises terres” became “bad lands” in English.

Badlands are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Download Trail Map

Driving Directions

From Furnace Creek, take CA-190 East 4.8 miles to the Zabriskie Point Parking Area, on the right 3.5 miles east of Badwater Junction.

From Death Valley Junction, take CA-190 West 25.4 miles to the Zabriskie Point Parking Area, on the left.

Additional Warnings & RegulationsSpecial Permits & RegulationsFees
Always be wary of flash floods in a canyon.
Camping in a canyon is discouraged due to the danger of flash floods.
Remember, it may be easier to climb up dryfalls than down them (or vice versa). Be sure you can climb in the other direction before climbing up or down a dryfall.
Remember to take food & water!
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
All park rules and regulations
7 Day Pass: $30/private vehicle. $25/motorcycle. $15/individual (bicycle or on foot).
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)