Wind Cave Canyon – Death Valley National Park
An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains north of Quartz Canyon. The canyon was named for the unusual number of “caves” (small to large holes in rocks) along the sides of the canyon.
| Total Distance: 7.4 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 1,307ft. (148ft. to 1,449ft.) |
| Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous | 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
| Pets: No | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: No potable or reliable water | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted |
| Trailhead Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 1.5 (4×4 required when road is flooded or sandy – 2.0 to 2.3) | |
Uses:     | Trail Surface:       |
Features:    | Hazards:      |
Mile-by-Mile: Wind Cave Canyon
0.0 West side of the Harry Wade Road (148ft.). Head west and south toward the mouth of Wind Cave Canyon, just south of Owlshead Slot Canyon. (35.743878°, -116.542245°)
2.1 Mouth of Wind Cave Canyon (782ft.). Head upcanyon. (35.732659°, -116.576225°)
2.2 Wash split (809ft.). Stay left (southwest). There are an abundance of rocks, somewhat similar to the “Wind Caves” in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Alabama Hills National Recreation Area, or Joshua Tree National Park, along the sides of the canyon. You may also come across some small sections of narrows. (35.731991°, -116.577489°)
2.4 Dryfall (893ft.). Scramble around the dryfall and continue upcanyon. (35.729709°, -116.578976°)
3.7 Basin (1,449ft.). The canyon more or less ends here in a large basin in the mountains. Walking south (left) across the basin will give you access to Quartz Canyon. (35.729459°, -116.599732°)
History & More
Wind Cave Canyon is named for the abundance of boulders with “caves” (holes) bored into the rock from wind and weather. The boulders are reminiscent of Joshua Tree National Park, Alabama Hills National Recreation Area, and the Wind Caves of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Wind Cave and Quartz Canyons make a nice approximately 8.4 mile loop hike via the sandy basin high in the mountains, which connects the two canyons.
Technically, you could also scramble north and drop into the Owlshead Slots, but this is a steep and sketchy scramble.
If you’re traveling to the trailhead while the Amargosa River is flowing, your best bet is to come in via the Saratoga Spring Road. While the Harry Wade Road still might be flooded, at least you won’t have to cross the river’s main channel.
The canyons of the Owlshead Mountains are dry, extremely remote, and unmarked. Be prepared for self-rescue and to explore rather than follow a defined route.
Download Route Map
Driving Directions
The unmarked beginning of the route is 14.3 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. If coming from the south, the “trailhead” is 11.4 miles beyond the Owl Hole Spring Road.
Camping in a canyon is discouraged due to the danger of flash floods.
Remember, it may be easier to climb up dryfalls than down them (or vice versa). Be sure you can climb in the other direction before climbing up or down a dryfall.
Camping is not allowed within one mile of a paved road, developed area, or dirt road that is closed to camping.
Camping is not permitted within 100 feet of a flowing stream, spring, or other natural body of open water.
No camping is permitted on the floor of Death Valley, within one mile of Darwin Falls and Greenwater Canyon, on the active/shifting sand dunes, and certain other canyons and backcountry areas.
Camping is also prohibited within one mile of the Ubehebe Lead Mine, Leadfield Mines, Keane Wonder Mill, and Skidoo Mill.
Camping is limited to 30 days per calendar year within the park.
Fires are permitted in NPS-provided fire grates or grills ONLY.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
All park rules and regulations
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)