Hiking in Death Valley National Park

Hiking Death Valley is a unique experience, but careful preparation must be done due to the harsh terrain and extreme temperatures. Hiking preparations includes water. For winter hikes plan on two liters a day and for summer hikes, four or more liters. Bring extra supplies for longer hikes or overnight backpacking trips. The best time to hike in Death Valley is during the fall and spring seasons when the temperatures are more bearable than the heat of summer. All trails are unmaintained and unmarked, so a compass and map should also be included in your preparations. With the correct preparations, there are several easy to moderate trails to explore.

One of the best hikes in Death Valley is the Golden Canyon trail. It is a 5-mile moderate round trip. The trailhead is three miles south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and is popular for its golden sandstone, which "resembles swirls of giant marble ice cream." The trail winds over small ridges to Zabriskie point and returns along Gower Gulch to Badwater Road, then continues further north into the Golden Canyon parking lot. For a shorter moderate two-mile round trip hike, start at Badwater road trailhead (3-miles south of visitor center) and hike up a gradual hill through colorful badlands to Zabriskie Point.

There are several easy to moderate trails in the Scotty Castle area, just 53 miles north of the visitor center. The Tie Canyon Trail is an easy .75-mile loop that leads to a canyon near Scotty's Castle. Another easy walking trail is .5 mile round trip through the Scotty's Castle grounds. Windy Point Trail is a moderate easy trail of .75 miles round trip. It starts from Scotty's Castle Road and climbs 160 feet to Scotty's gravesite overlooking his ranch.

The Titus Canyon Narrows trails range from easy to difficult. The trails are two to 11 miles in length and are round trips. The Klare Spring and petroglyphs are the attraction on this trail; located about 5 miles from the start of the trail. The trail head starts 2 miles off the Scotty's Castle Road; about 37 miles from the visitor center.

The Wildrose Peak trail is a moderate 8 mile round trip loop that begins at the Charcoal Kils, about 7 miles east of the Wildrose Campground on Rt 178. This steep trail winds through pinyons and junipers, and at several stops provides a hiker with extensive views of Death Valley. .

The Mosaic Cayon hike is moderately difficult. The trail is a one to four mile trail round trip loop. The trailhead begins 3 miles off Rt 190 just west of Stovepipe Wells Village. It is an uphill trail with winds through the canyon. At the upper end, a hiker will find dry falls to climb over.

Lastly, the Telescope Peak Trail is a strenuous 14 miles round trip that begins at Mahogany Flat Camground east of the Wildrose Campground. This steep trail winds through pinyons and juniper to Telescope Peak, the highest point in the park. Once you have reached the top of the peak, a hiker will find incredible views of both Death Valley and Panamint Valley in the west. A winter climb of this trail will require ice axe and crampons and only for experienced climbers and hikers.