Golden Canyon – Death Valley National Park
A pleasant walk up a desert canyon between yellow badlands.
| Total Distance: 4.2 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,193ft. (-148ft. to 486ft.) |
| Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous |
| View Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 3.0 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: November-April | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: Primitive Restroom | Crowd Factor: Crowded |
| Trailhead Access: 0.6 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:    |
Features:    | Hazards:    |
Mile-by-Mile: Golden Canyon Trail
0.0 Golden Canyon Trailhead (-148ft.). Head northwest up Golden Canyon. As you can see, the area received its name from the yellow tint of the rocks and badlands along the route. (Be careful to take the trail up the canyon rather than along the base of the hills, which is the Gower Gulch Trail from the same trailhead.) (36.420714°, -116.846639°)
1.0 Red Cathedral Junction (153ft.). The Red Cathedral is a very worthy side trip. But to continue on the Golden Canyon Trail, continue right up into the badlands. The trail is often marked with brown survey-type markers. (36.424635°,-116.831959°)
1.4 Viewpoint Trail Junction (494ft.). Turn right up to the viewpoint. (36.422679°, -116.826362°)
1.6 Viewpoint (476ft.). Return to the main path and turn right to continue along the trail. (36.422062°, -116.829205°)
2.2 Gower Gulch/Badland Loop Trail Junction (363ft.). This is the supposed end of the Golden Canyon Trail, which ends at the Badlands Loop. I recommend three different options: 1) Turn left up to Zabriskie Point – the views are awesome! 2) Turn left or right to complete the Badlands Loop. 3) Turn right and continue down the wash to take the Gower Gulch Trail back down to the Golden Canyon Trailhead. You can also turn left on the Badlands Loop and then turn right down Gower Gulch instead of taking the left up to Zabriskie Point. (36.4192989°, -116.8224237°)
History & More
Many of the yellow-tinted rocks in Death Valley have a high concentration of Limonite, a type of iron ore. The name is derived from a Greek word that means “wet meadow” (the Greeks frequently found the ore in marshy areas). On the island of Cyprus, limonite was used as a pigment – yellow ochre, specifically. It was also roasted to make red ochres and brown tones.
A favorite memory of the Golden Canyon Trailhead was finding a scorpion in the restroom. Maybe I shouldn’t tell you that, but it really was a neat find!
Golden Canyon (along with the Badlands Trail) was my first favorite hike in Death Valley. I loved those views!
Download Trail Map
Driving Directions
From Furnace Creek, take CA-190 East for 1.3 miles. Turn right on the Badwater Road; the Golden Canyon Trailhead will be on the left after 2.0 miles.
From Death Valley Junction, take CA-190 West 28.9 miles to the Badwater Road. Turn left, following the sign for Badwater. The Golden Canyon Trailhead will be on the left after 2.0 miles.
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.
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.)
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