Anvil Spring Canyon – Death Valley National Park
Walk down a desolate and deserted desert canyon to a small spring.
| Total Distance: 13.8 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,726ft. (3,520ft. to 2,558ft.) |
| Difficulty: Very Strenuous | 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous |
| View Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 1.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: No | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: No potable water | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted at least 100 feet from any water source |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 2.0 | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:     |
Features:    | Hazards:        |
Mile-by-Mile: Death Valley Buttes
0.0 End of Willow Spring/Anvil Spring Road (3,520ft.). Take the old road northeast down Anvil Spring Canyon. (Note: To get to the trailhead, you’ll need to take the left fork a short distance from the spring.) The road descends into the wash, which travels north and then east. The wash continues to wind south, then east again. (35.911738°, -117.056146°)
4.8 Turn south out of wash (2,560ft.). Try to find the remains of an old road on the south (right) that climbs out of the wash. The turn is just before the second major wash enters the main Anvil Spring Canyon from the right (the first is fairly near the trailhead). Walk up the old road into the hills. Be careful not to take the spur (on left) down into the wash about mile 6. (35.928904°, -116.985343°)
6.9 Greenery (3,254ft.). This is the southernmost of the three Needle Springs (the larger spring to the north is colloquially called S*quaw Spring). Explore to your heart’s content before returning to the trailhead. (35.908956°, -117.008155°)
History & More
It’s to be assumed that the road was constructed to get water from the spring to mines elsewhere in the southern Panamint Mountains. I’m not sure how the springs received their name – though it’s possible needle cases of plants were found nearby, though it’s more likely that it was named for nearby Needle Peak.
If you continue down Anvil Spring Canyon, you’ll eventually come to the lower reaches of Warm Spring Canyon Road not too far from the West Side Road.
Burros and other animals frequent desert springs such as these, especially early in the morning and late at night.
Anvil Spring Canyon is associated with a group that has become known across the internet as the “Death Valley Germans.” While I won’t detail the story here, in 1996, a German family disappeared on the California/Nevada border. Their minivan was finally located off-road in Anvil Spring Canyon, but no trace of the family was found until 2009, far south of Anvil Spring. Even yet, the incident is shrouded in mystery, and most people who visit this area of Death Valley say they’ll never do it again due to the remote and dangerous nature of the terrain. One thing is sure: A minivan should not attempt the Warm Spring Canyon/Mengel Pass Road!
Download Trail Map
Driving Directions
Trailhead is at the end of the Willow Spring/Anvil Spring Road (accessible via the Warm Spring Canyon Road in Butte Valley). Be sure to take the left fork near Willow Spring to get to the correct trailhead.
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.
Camping is not allowed within one mile of a paved road, developed area, or dirt road that is closed to camping.
Camping is not permitted within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of open water.
No camping is permitted on the floor of Death Valley, within one mile of Darwin Falls and Greenwater Canyon, on the active/shifting sand dunes, and certain other canyons and backcountry areas.
Camping is also prohibited within one mile of the Ubehebe Lead Mine, Leadfield Mines, Keane Wonder Mill, and Skidoo Mill.
Camping is limited to 30 days per calendar year within the park.
Fires are permitted in NPS-provided fire grates or grills ONLY.
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
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.)