Best Day Hikes in Death Valley National Park

Bristlecones and Badwater Flats from the Telescope Peak Trail in Death Valley National Park, California — Bristlecones and Badwater Flats from the Telescope Peak Trail

Death Valley is a land of extremes – incredibly dry desert, mountains, bristlecone forests, cacti, sand dunes, wildflowers, canyons, old mines, and waterfalls, not to mention rich history, hiking options galore, and the bragging rights of “the lowest place in North America.”

We’ve hiked trails from almost one end of the valley to the other, so I put together a list of our favorites!

Favorite Canyons

Hiking up a slot in Sidewinder Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California — Hiking up a slot in Sidewinder Canyon

Sidewinder Canyon blows all of the other canyons I’ve hiked in Death Valley out of the water when it comes to exploration options! There are no less than six slots to explore beyond the main canyon (which has its own slot section), not to mention plenty of pretty and interesting features along the way. Milage varies depending on your route, but you’ll likely do at least 6.4 miles.

Entering a narrow section of Grotto Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California — Entering a narrow section of Grotto Canyon

Grotto Canyon is beautiful, exciting, and requires scrambling. It gets “most fun” rating from me. Go to Mosaic Canyon for a just as beautiful, if less scrambling required, route that’s much more family and day-hike-friendly. 1.25+ miles (Grotto) or 4-ish miles (Mosaic) RT

Hiking up Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California — Hiking up Fall Canyon

Fall Canyon is my favorite non-slot canyon in Death Valley. It’s simply a beautiful hike. It’s also fairly easy, though if you want to ascend into the upper canyon, you’ll be doing a Class 3/4 move. 6.8 miles out & back

Hiking along the Zabriski Point Trail, Death Valley National Park, California — Hiking along the Badlands Loop Trail

The Zabriskie Point-Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch Loop is possibly one of the most popular hikes in Death Valley – and for good reason! Catch views of Manly Beacon and the surrounding badlands at sunrise, then head down the trail to great views, colorful badlands, a couple of canyons, and more. About 6.8 mile lollipop loop

A large dryfall in Gower Gulch, Death Valley National Park, California — A large dryfall in Gower Gulch

Favorites for Bragging Rights

Evening walk on Badwater Flats, Death Valley National Park, California — Evening walk on Badwater Flats

Badwater Basin is a must-stop destination for me no matter where else I’m headed in Death Valley. Knowing I’m near the lowest point in North America is such fun! Plus it’s very pretty. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can find the semi-official low point or cross Badwater Flats. 0.25-12.9 miles out & back

The trail up Telescope Peak, Death Valley National Park, California — The trail up Telescope Peak

Telescope Peak is a very beautiful hike. It also happens to have a whopping 11,000ft. of vertical relief from the valley floor to the top of the peak (that’s pretty similar to the vertical relief from Everest’s base camp to the top of Mt. Everest). Now that’s some bragging rights! 13.2 miles out & back. If you can’t do all that mileage in a day, try hiking Rogers Peak or Bennett Peak or take the less-snowy trail to Wildrose Peak.

Lupine below Rogers Peak in Death Valley National Park, California — Lupine below Rogers Peak

Favorite Scenic Drives/Viewpoints

20 Mule Team Scenic Drive, Death Valley National Park, California — 20 Mule Team Scenic Drive

20 Mule Team Scenic Drive is best in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s best-known for being the setting for several Star Wars films, but to me it’s just an amazing display of colorful rocks and badlands.

Views of Death Valley and Telescope Peak from Dante's View, California — Views of Death Valley/Badwater Flats and Telescope Peak from Dante’s View

Dante’s View is likely one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Death Valley – at least in the morning. It showcases the amazing vertical change between Badwater Flats (-282ft.) to Telescope Peak (11,049ft.). You can also continue up to Mount Perry if you want more views.

The trail along the Mount Perry Ridgeline, Death Valley National Park, California — The trail along the Mount Perry Ridgeline. PC Seth Tisue

Favorites for History & Mining

Towers along the Keane Wonder Trail, Death Valley National Park, California — Towers along the Keane Wonder Trail

The Keane Wonder Mine Trail has long been one of my favorite hikes to mines of any kind in any national park. It’s fascinating to see the old tramway, pass a couple of gold mines, and see the ruins of the equipment. Plus the views are stunning! 3.1 miles out & back

Old pipes along the Keane Wonder Spring Trail, Death Valley National Park, California — Old pipes along the Keane Wonder Spring Trail

Speaking of Keane Wonder, the Keane Wonder Spring Trail to John Cyty’s Cabin was a favorite of mine on my most recent visit. It’s not actually a trail, but you also probably won’t get too lost as long as you follow the line of old pipes. 3.6 miles out & back

Water near Keane Spring, Death Valley National Park, California — Water near Keane Spring

Weird & Wacky Favorites

Darwin Falls, Death Valley National Park, California — Darwin Falls

Who would have thought of visiting Death Valley to see a waterfall? Yet Darwin Falls is a year-round oasis in the desert. In November, after months without rain, I still found wildflowers along the trail. 2.2 miles out & back

Devils Golf Course in Death Valley National Park, California — Devils Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Olivier Bruchez

Devils Golf Course is pretty much just some interesting rock formations. If you’re looking for the epic, don’t bother. But if you want to see the extraordinary by looking closely, the crystals are a great area to explore. Milage varies but doesn’t have to be very much.

Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley National Park, California — Ubehebe Crater. PC david__jones

One day, I asked a lot of internet strangers and acquaintances (plus a few friends) what they would consider their favorite hike(s) in Death Valley. I was very surprised to find the Ubehebe Crater high on the list. To me it was nice but not extraordinary. Anyway, I’ll put it on this list and allow you to come to your own conclusions!

Ibex Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California — Ibex Dunes

I don’t know if I loved Ibex Dunes because they’re super epic or because the lighting was fantastic the evening I visited. Either way, it’s a great place to explore if you happen to be in the far south of the valley and have high clearance. While you’re there, send your mind into tilt by visiting Saratoga Springs to find a Serengeti-worthy watering hole. And if you want sand dunes that are a bit more accessible, there’s always the Mesquite Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells. 3.1 miles out & back

Saratoga Springs in Death Valley National Park, California — Saratoga Springs

When Should You Visit Death Valley?

I first visited Death Valley at the tender age of 11. It was May, and 102F in the shade. To say the least, we felt like we were absolutely going to fry alive, though going into the mountains, we thought we were going to freeze to death, and Telescope Peak still required crampons and an ice ax. May might not be the best time to visit, but November was much nicer in the valley, as was our April and December visits. It was 119F in the valley in June, but quite pleasant on Telescope Peak – the highest point in the park. So you might have to visit at different times of year if you truly want to hike in both extremes in elevation, but I’d personally recommend November-March as the “best” season to visit.

119F at the Death Valley Visitor Center, California — 119F at the Death Valley Visitor Center

Remember not to enter any canyon when rain is forecasted (flash floods are real!) Holidays like Spring Break tend to be busier (read: more crowded parking areas and less options for camping).

Wildflowers near the Charcoal Kilns at the Wildrose Peak Trailhead, Death Valley National Park, California — Wildflowers near the Charcoal Kilns at the Wildrose Peak Trailhead

Fees/Permits for Visiting Death Valley

There is a $30 entrance fee to Death Valley National Park, valid 7 days. Death Valley Annual Passes and America the Beautiful Passes are also accepted.

Wildflowers along the trail to Darwin Falls, Death Valley National Park, California — Wildflowers along the trail to Darwin Falls

Very few permits are necessary for visiting the park. Backpacking and dispersed camping does not require a permit unless you are backpacking the Cottonwood/Marble Canyons Loop or roadside camping along Echo Canyon Road, Hole in the Wall Road, Cottonwood Canyon Road, and/or Marble Canyon Road. These permits are issued on the same day as the start of the camping trip in person at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center (Backpacking Cottonwood Canyon Permits can also be obtained at the Stovepipe Wells Visitor Center or in advance online). Optionally, you can also get a free permit issued (in person at Furnace Creek) for other roads and backpacking trips in the park.

Camping in Death Valley National Park, California — Camping in Death Valley National Park

Camping & Lodging in Death Valley

I usually camp for free in Death Valley (note that some of the more popular roads now require a free permit to camp on them – the permits should be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center – see above.) There are also a few free and paid-for campgrounds, open seasonally. Several lodging hotels and rustic resorts are also available within the park. Las Vegas is a mere 2 hours from the east entrance to Death Valley.