Dantes View Trail – Death Valley National Park
Hike along the ridgeline to great views down on Badwater Flats and across Death Valley to the Panamint Mountains.
| Total Distance: 1.0 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 512ft. (5,473ft. to 5,166ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Moderate |
| View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 5.0 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: No |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: Restrooms 0.6 miles down the road | Crowd Factor: Crowded |
| Trailhead Access: 0.7 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:   |
Features:   | Hazards:     |
Mile-by-Mile: Dantes View Trail
0.0 Dantes View Trailhead (5,473ft.). Walk south (left if you’re facing the view down on Badwater Flats) on the well-defined trail along the ridgeline. Views are excellent both down on Death Valley and down into the Black Mountains. (36.220576°, -116.726783°)
0.5 Dantes View Overlook (5,166ft.). Enjoy spectacular views of the Panamint Mountains to the west, Badwater Flats, the Black Mountains, nearby valleys, and more. (36.214612°, -116.730847°)
History & More
You’re almost directly over Badwater Basin on this trail. The views are spectacular.
You don’t have to hike the entire mile to enjoy great views. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the parking lot to see much of what the trail has to offer.
As you hike along the ridge, you’ll probably see four canyons across the valley at the base of the Panamint Mountains. These are (R-L/N-S) Trail Canyon, Hanaupah Canyon, Johnson Canyon, and Galena Canyon. You can also see Telescope Peak (the highest point in the range as well as in Death Valley National Park) and Wildrose Peak (over Trail Canyon).
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
Take CA-190 east of Furnace Creek. The turn onto Dantes View Road is 18.1 miles west of Death Valley Junction (0.4 miles west of the fee kiosk) and 10.7 miles east of the Badwater Road Junction. Drive 13.2 miles up to the end of the Dantes View Road.
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
Click here for 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.)