This desert landscape is known for extremes, but it also offers an incredible range of scenery that surprises many first time visitors. Travelers come for the records and the dramatic views, then discover colorful canyons, sweeping salt flats, and mountain peaks that feel worlds apart.
In Death Valley National Park, more than one hundred miles of trails reveal the park’s diverse terrain, making it a rewarding destination for hikers of different skill levels. This list shares highlights of the best hikes to experience during your visit.
1. Artist’s Palette Trail
Length: 0.3 mile
Elevation Gain: 108 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 15 minutes
The Artist’s Palette is a collection of hills that have pastel shades of blue, green, and pink. Located on Artist Drive, this palette was created over time due to weather and oxidation. It takes 4.5 miles (and 10 minutes) to get to the Artist’s Palette once you enter Artists Drive.
Insider Tip: Stay past sunset to see the change in colors on the Artist’s Palette.
2. Father Crowley Vista Trail
Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 72 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 30 minutes
Located on the western end of the park, Father Crowley Vista shows you a beautiful view of the Rainbow Canyon. This canyon’s name comes from the colors created over time due to volcanic erosions. You might also see military test flights flying over this canyon.
Insider Tip: The Father Crowley Vista is near the Darwin Falls trail so plan to do them both together since these are located farther from the other hikes.
3. Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail
Length: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 6 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 45 minutes
The most popular hike in Death Valley National Park, the Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail takes you through white polygon-like salt flats. It’s a vast landscape of salt flats that spans more than 200 miles. This is also the lowest point in North America. These salt flats are rugged and spike up so make sure you’re wearing hiking shoes and pack hiking accessories.
Insider Tip: Doesn’t feel like you’re 282 feet under sea level? Turn around at the parking lot (adjacent to Badwater Basin) and you’ll see a sign on the Black Mountains that says “Sea Level”. That’s where the sea level is and we’re 282 feet below that.
4. Harmony Borax Works Trail
Length: 0.4 mile
Elevation Gain: 29 feet
Type of Trail: Loop
Time Spent: 15 minutes
Go back in time to the 1880s in this trail. The Harmony Borax Works Trail shows you a historic mining site that includes wagons that were pulled by 20 mules. These wagons were used to carry borax for 165 miles from Death Valley to Mojave. You can also learn more about borax production at its interpretive signs along the trail.
Insider Tip: Head back here again at night for stargazing. Watch the stars above a historic site.
5. Salt Creek Interpretive Trail
Length: 0.8 mile
Elevation Gain: 29 feet
Type of Trail: Loop
Time Spent: 30 minutes
It’s very rare to see a water body in the midst of a desert but when you do, you’ve got to add it to your itinerary! At Salt Creek, watch pupfish swimming around and pickleweed plants growing near the creek.
Insider Tip: Embrace the explorer in you and hike past the boardwalk. You’ll see steps to another trail. This trail leads you to McLean Spring but you will start seeing water bodies before that.
6. Twenty Mule Team Canyon Trail
Length: 0.3 mile
Elevation Gain: 65 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 15 minutes
A lesser-known trail, the Twenty Mule Team Canyon trail is a hidden gem. Drive through the orangish-yellow badlands to get to the trail. Since Zabriskie Point can get too crowded during sunrise and sunset; come here instead!
Insider Tip: Hike further into the Twenty Mule Team Canyon to find mine tunnels and slot canyons.
7. Zabriskie Point Trail
Length: 0.4 mile
Elevation Gain: 49 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 30 minutes
Another popular hike in Death Valley National Park, the trail to Zabriskie Point is steep and short but well worth the hike. Photograph the wavy colorful badlands and look for Manly Beacon, a peak that’s 823 feet high. Past the Zabriskie Point, you can see the salt flats and the Panamint mountains.
Insider Tip: Most hikers stop at the overlook spot but hike down further into the badlands – be one among them!
8. Dante’s View Trail
Length: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 223 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 45 minutes
Another popular sunrise and sunset spot, Dantes View is the highest point in Death Valley National Park. From this viewpoint, you can see the Death Valley basin including the salt flats and the Panamint mountain range. For this trail, hike southwest past the viewpoint for 360 views of the park and beyond.
Insider Tip: Stay past sunset and visit during a full moon to see the salt flats shining from the moon’s light.
9. Darwin Falls Trail
Length: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 232 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 1 hour
One of the few waterfalls in Death Valley, the Darwin Falls pours at 18 feet. It’s unique since the waterfall pours on a rock that splits the water to fall on either side of the rock. Near the falls, look for wildlife including bighorn sheep, frogs, and toads. To access the trailhead, you’ve got to drive on a curvy dirt road so it’s not suitable for RVs and trailers.
Insider Tip: You will have to hike across small streams and scramble around rocks. Make sure you’ve packed extra clothes, shoes, and a first aid kit in case of accidents.
10. Natural Bridge Trail
Length: 1.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 449 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 1 hour
The Natural Bridge is an arch made out of rock and gravel and it’s 35 feet high and wide. The trail to the Natural Bridge isn’t paved and you have to walk on gravel to get there. Hike in the morning for more shade from the canyon walls on the trail.
Insider Tip: Hike past the Natural Bridge to see hanging canyons and a dry waterfall.
11. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 185 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Hike up the tallest sand dune at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. These dunes are named after the mesquite trees that grow on the dunes. The dunes can reach as high as 100 feet.
Insider Tip: The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is one of the few sand dunes in Death Valley National Park that you can sandboard.
12. Complete Circuit Trail
Length: 7.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 834 feet
Type of Trail: Loop
Time Spent: 5 hours
If you love hiking through canyons and badlands, then try this strenuous hike. Start at Zabriskie Point and hike towards Manly Beacon and the Red Cathedral area. Then continue to Golden Canyon and loop back on the Gower Gulch Trail.
Insider Tip: For a day of solitude at this popular park, choose to do the Complete Circuit Trail. Picnic at the Red Cathedral area and look up at the reddish-brown canyon walls that look like organ pipes.
13. Telescope Peak Trail
Length: 14 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Type of Trail: Out and back
Time Spent: 7 hours
The Telescope Peak sits at 11,049 feet above sea level. At the top, look down at the Badwater Basin salt flats on one side and the Panamint Valley on the other side.
Insider Tip: Bring your binoculars. If it’s a clear day, you can see Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 US states.
Read More From Bae Area And Beyond
Death Valley Day Trip: 10-Stop Itinerary
Death Valley to Yosemite Road Trip: 7 Best Stops
9 Best Death Valley Campgrounds From A Camper
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