The Best Hikes for Kids in Death Valley National Park!

Hikes for kids in Death Valley National Park, California! Clockwise from lower left: Keane Wonder Mill, Darwin Falls, Gower Gulch, Badwater Basin, and Ibex Dunes — Hikes for kids in Death Valley National Park! Clockwise from lower left: Keane Wonder Mill, Darwin Falls, Gower Gulch, Badwater Basin, and Ibex Dunes

Death Valley is a very kid-friendly national park. Maybe I think that because I have such fond memories of visiting the park in my tweens and teens, exploring slot canyons, old mining areas, and sand dunes with my little siblings. But the better reason for its kid-friendly status is the wide variety of sights to see. There’s history. Views. Bragging rights. Slot canyons. Sand. Exploring options. A waterfall. Mountain peaks. It’s harder to get tired of the same old views when there’s something new to do and see!

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Kid-Friendly Scenic Drives
Kid-Friendly Viewpoints
Kid-Friendly Canyons
Kid-Friendly History Hikes
More Kid-Friendly Hikes (Sand Dunes, Waterfalls, & Volcanos)
General Death Valley Info

Kid-Friendly Scenic Drives in Death Valley

20 Mule Team Scenic Drive in the early morning, Death Valley National Park, California — 20 Mule Team Scenic Drive in the early morning

I’m personally partial to 20 Mule Team Scenic Drive. Park along the road if you can do so safely and explore for a while! I can’t tell you how much fun our kids have had over the years, scrambling the badlands and discovering closed-off borax mines.

Artists Drive, Death Valley National Park, California — Artists Drive. PC Jeff Hollett, public domain

Artists Scenic Drive is another great option. Again, there are exploring options at Artists Palette.

Titus Canyon Road, Death Valley National Park, California — Titus Canyon Road. PC Road Travel America, public domain

You’d better like driving if you want to take the Titus Canyon Road – it’s one-way, so once you’re on it, you’re committed for its entire 26 miles! But if you want a rural experience, it’s a good one. Check out Thimble Peak (3.5 miles RT) and Leadfield (0.6 miles RT) along the way.

Kid-Friendly Viewpoints (Keep Scrolling for Hikes)

Views from Dante's View, Death Valley National Park, California — Views from Dante’s View. PC Jeff Hollett, public domain

While you can take the trail to Dante’s View (1.0 mile RT), the views are pretty good from the parking area. If you love to hike, you can also go out to Mount Perry (8.8 miles RT).

Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California — Sunrise at Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point is a short, paved path (0.3 miles out & back) to a great view of the badlands down below. For even more fun, hike the Badlands Loop (2.7 miles RT) or a shuttle hike down to Golden Canyon (3.3 miles OW).

Rocks at Devils Golf Course, Death Valley National Park, California — Rocks at Devils Golf Course. PC Jeff Hollett, public domain

Devils Golf Course is a fun little stop. The “golf course” is just salt formations.

Sign at Badwater Basin marking the lowest point in North America, Death Valley National Park, California — Sign at Badwater Basin marking the lowest point in North America

You can’t visit Death Valley and not stop at Badwater Basin! It has the best bragging rights of being the lowest point in North America. Plus, it’s an easy walk on a boardwalk, or you can explore out onto the salt flats if desired.

Rainbow Canyon (Star Wars Canyon) from Father Crowley Vista, Death Valley National Park, California — Rainbow Canyon (Star Wars Canyon) from Father Crowley Vista

If you happen to be in the northwestern part of the park, check out Father Crowley Vista overlooking Star Wars Canyon (Rainbow Canyon). It’s a quick stop that’s especially nice in the early morning.

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

Or if you’re in the far south of the park, another quick but interesting stop is at Saratoga Springs. It’s an oasis in the desert, complete with migrating birds, reeds, and great views (no swimming is allowed, however). The link tells you how to continue on to other adventures; just to see the springs is about 0.2 miles RT.

Kid-Friendly Canyons in Death Valley

Hiking through Mosaic Canyon. Death Valley National Park, California — Hiking through Mosaic Canyon. PC Jerome Bon, CC BY 2.0

The most famous canyon for kids is Mosaic Canyon(3.6-5.8 miles RT). My siblings and I had the time of our lives sliding down the dryfalls, exploring, and generally exploring to our hearts’ content.

Hiking through one of the slots in Sidewinder Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California — Hiking through one of the slots in Sidewinder Canyon

If you want what I’d call the most fun slot canyon in Death Valley, check out Sidewinder Canyon (4.6-8.1 miles RT). Multiple slots allow for almost endless exploring, scrambling, and variable length. If it’s spring, nearby Willow Canyon (4.4 miles out & back) is another option (it ends with a seasonal waterfall).

Hikers in Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park, California — Hikers in Fall Canyon

Fall Canyon (6.6 miles RT) is another fun, if slightly longer, canyon. I’d also mention nearby Titus Canyon (0.1-15.6 miles RT), but the hike is up a road, so I’m loathed to recommend it unless your kids are old enough to know to get off the road when a vehicle or motorcycle is coming.

Kid-Friendly History Hikes in Death Valley

The old mill at the Keane Wonder Mine, Death Valley National Park, California — The old mill at the Keane Wonder Mine

If you only have time for one historic hike in the park, Keane Wonder Aerial Tramway (3.75 miles RT) is a steep but very rewarding hike. I loved exploring all the old mining relics as a child, and now I get to appreciate the spectacular views from the trail, too.

Water and borax wagons at the Harmony Borax Works in Death Valley National Park, California — Water and borax wagons at the Harmony Borax Works. PC Mario RM, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Harmony Borax Works (0.4 mile loop) are a good option if the kids aren’t up to the very steep hike up to Keane Wonder. On your way out, drive through Mustard Canyon.

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

If off the beaten path suits you better, check out Keane Spring and John Cyty’s Cabin (3.6 miles RT). There is no official trail, but paths make it hard to get lost.

Charcoal Kilns, Death Valley National Park, California — Charcoal Kilns

The Charcoal Kilns, high in the Panamint Mountains, are a great wayside stop with no hiking required.

Scotty's Castle, Death Valley National Park, California — Scotty’s Castle. PC Larry & Teddy Page, CC BY 2.0

While I’ve never been up to Scotty’s Castle, I hear it’s a fantastic experience for adults and children alike. Touring the buildings requires an advance ticket. (Just realize the entire area around the castle is closed for repairs after flooding in 2015 and 2023.)

More Fun Kid-Friendly Hikes (Sand Dunes, Waterfalls, & Volcanos)

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

The hike to Darwin Falls is fairly easy… and when was the last time you saw a waterfall in the middle of the desert? You’re not allowed to swim in the water, but it’s still a great escape high in the mountains.

Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley National Park, California — Ubehebe Crater. PC streetlight, CC BY 2.0

Walk around Ubehebe Crater (1.75-2.4 mile loop) for great views, both of the volcano and the surrounding area. Or for a more strenuous adventure, hike to the bottom of the crater (0.8 miles RT)!

Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, Death Valley National Park, California — Salt Creek Interpretive Trail. PC John Game, CC BY 2.0

If you’re afraid the kids aren’t getting enough education, check out the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail (0.8 miles RT). You might even get a peep at fish that only exist right here along the boardwalk!

Mesquite Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California — Mesquite Sand Dunes. PC adam.matsumoto, public domain

The Mesquite Sand Dunes (varies in mileage, but the dunes are close to the parking area) is the most popular sand dunes. But I like Ibex Dunes (3.1 miles RT) in the far southern part of the park. Either way, the sand is a child’s paradise!

General Death Valley Info

The Entry Fee for Death Valley is $30, valid 7 days. America the Beautiful National Park & Federal Lands Passes are accepted.

Lodging and campgrounds can be found in Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Valley. Campgrounds are also distributed throughout the central and northern parts of the park. Free-range camping is also permitted within certain guidelines.

If you want another fun activity, become a Death Valley National Park Junior Ranger! I did the program as a tween; they were one of the first parks I’d run across that didn’t limit participation by age. We were thrilled – Grandma could complete it if she wanted to! Today, you can print the booklet yourself or pick one up at the visitor center. Complete 4-9 of the activities and then show it to a ranger, who’ll give you an official junior ranger badge!

Remember sunscreen and water on every single hike, especially in warm weather. Temperatures can soar into the 120s F in the summer or drop below freezing in the winter.

A lupine below Rogers Peak, another great family hike in Death Valley National Park, California — A lupine below Rogers Peak, another great family hike in Death Valley

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