Walking Wild & Free

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 1

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail

Photo credit David Brossard, CC BY-SA 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/wLBZhS

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 2

Photo credit Chun Xia, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/5Pm29L

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 3

Photo credit ray_explores, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/BFrofR

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 4

Photo credit ray_explores, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/BFjaRC

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 5

Photo credit Bill Ward, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/aoiYKE

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 6

Photo credit John Game, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/bFRsBx

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail 7

Photo credit John Game, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/bFQNSk

Take a boardwalk stroll to a salt marsh with water in the middle of the salt flats. The trail is ADA accessible. Note: As of fall 2023, this trail is closed. The boardwalk was washed away in Hurricane Hillary. It is hoped that the boardwalk will be rebuilt in the near future.

Total Distance: 0.8 miles out & back with spur	Elevation Gain: 116ft. (-217ft. to -192ft.)
Difficulty: Easy	0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy
View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0	Author’s Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars2.0
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: Primitive Restroom	Crowd Factor: Crowded
Trailhead Access: 1.2 (2WD dirt road)
Uses:	Trail Surface:
Features:	Hazards:

Mile-by-Mile: Salt Creek Interpretive Trail

0.0 Salt Creek Interpretive Trailhead (-213ft.). Follow the boardwalk out onto the marsh. The presence of water here in the desert in unique, and the spring is home to a rare variety of pupfish. (36.590590°, -116.990725°)

0.2 Trail split (-215ft.). The rest of the trail is a loop, so you can turn either direction. This guide turns right. (36.591708°, -116.994111°)

0.3 Spur to Viewpoint (-201ft.). Turn left to the viewpoint, then return to the main boardwalk and turn left to continue around the loop. (36.592218°, -116.995221°)

0.5 Return to Trail Split (-215ft.). Turn right to return to the parking area. (36.591708°, -116.994111°)

0.8 Salt Creek Interpretive Trailhead (-213ft.). (36.480014°, -116.869445°)

History & More

Salt Creek flows only during the winter months, though the spring is active year-round. Exactly what you’ll see is dependent on current conditions and recent rainfall.

Salt Creek is unique in that it’s not all that normal to find water in the desert. Sadly, the water is brackish and therefore not useful to early visitors.

The water of Salt Creek is several times saltier than sea water.

You may find Salt Creek Pupfish – little blue fish – in the water of the creek. These fish are very rare but are able to adapt to the changing environment of the salt marsh. In winter, the fish spawn, then the fish move closer to the spring to avoid being trapped in quickly evaporating pools of water.

Some people say that pupfish received their name from the almost “puppy-like” behavior displayed during spawning season.

Other wildlife also lives near or visits the springs. Visit early in the morning or in the evening for the best chance at seeing wildlife.

The access road is usually accessible to most low-clearance vehicles.

Download Trail Map

Coming soon!

Driving Directions

The trailhead is at the end of a 1.2 mile gravel, 2WD-friendly access road. The access road is off of CA-190 13.0 miles north of the Furnace Creek Visitor and 11.2 miles southwest of Stovepipe Wells.