Contact Canyon – Death Valley National Park

The most scenic of the five officially-named canyons in the northeastern section of the Owlshead Mountains with rock formations along the wide wash. Contact Canyon is the middle of the five, with Owlshead Canyon to the north and Granite Canyon to the south. Total Distance: 15.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,638ft. (-71ft. to […]

Owlshead Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Explore a desert canyon with rock formations, narrows, and scalable dryfalls. Owlshead Canyon is the second-northernmost officially-named canyon on the east side of the Owlshead Mountains. Total Distance: 12.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,708ft. (-97ft. to 2,210ft.) Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty […]

Artists Drive – Death Valley National Park

Take a winding paved road through the foothills of the Black Mountains to the spectacular Artists Palette and Star Wars film site. Total Distance: 9.2 miles point to point (one-way) Elevation Gain: 1,682ft. up, 1,720ft. down (-203ft. to 946ft.) Road Difficulty: 0.8 Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult View Rating: Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: […]

Undertaker Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Scramble up a remote slot canyon in the Funeral Mountains off of Hole in the Wall Road to Widowmaker Dryfall. Serious scrambling is required – you may want ropes for this one. Total Distance: 5.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 1,917ft. (1,891ft. to 3,597ft.) Difficulty: Strenuous 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s […]

Slit Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Hike to and up a remote slot canyon in the Funeral Mountains off of Hole in the Wall Road. Some scrambling is required. Total Distance: 9.4 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 3,029ft. (1,891ft. to 4,187ft.) Difficulty: Very Strenuous 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No […]

Hole in the Wall Road – Death Valley National Park

Gravel/dirt road that gives access to Hole in the Wall and an old (mostly undeveloped) mining area. Total Distance: 6.0 miles point-to-point (dead end) Elevation Gain: 1,573ft. up, 5ft. down (992ft. to 2,562ft.) Road Difficulty: 1.2 for the first 3 miles; 2.0 beyond Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty […]

Echo Canyon Road – Death Valley National Park

Gravel/dirt road that gives access to Eye of the Needle Arch and the Inyo Mine. Total Distance: 10.9 miles point to point Elevation Gain: 3,729ft. up, 27.5ft. down (410ft. to 4,120ft.) Road Difficulty: 1.4 for the first 3 miles; 2.0 beyond Bicycle Difficulty: Very Difficult View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: […]

The Grandstand – Death Valley National Park

Hike across the playa to a rib of rocks offering a fantastic view. Total Distance: 0.75 mile lollipop loop + scrambling Elevation Gain: 10ft. (3,705ft. to 3,712ft.) Difficulty: Easy 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: No Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: None […]

Devils Golf Course – Death Valley National Park

E xplore salt and mud formations on Badwater Flats. Total Distance: Varies Elevation Gain: N/A Difficulty: Easy 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: No Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: None Overnight Options: None Trailhead Amenities: None Crowd Factor: Crowded Trailhead Access: 1.1 […]

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: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: No Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: None Overnight Options: None […]