Father Crowley Vista (Rainbow Canyon/Star Wars Canyon Overlook) – Death Valley National Park
Enjoy views of Rainbow Canyon from a viewpoint. The Air Force occasionally uses the canyon for training purposes.
| Total Distance: 0.1 miles | Elevation Gain: 16ft. (4,261ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 3.0 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: Leashed | Horses: No |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: Primitive restrooms | Crowd Factor: Moderate |
| Trailhead Access: 0.6 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:   |
Features:      | Hazards:      |
Mile-by-Mile: Father Crowley Vista
Father Crowley Vista is an overlook with no real hiking required (except possibly to walk along the fence). Enjoy views of Rainbow Canyon or, if you’re lucky, fighter jet pilots practicing maneuvers within the canyon. Views are also excellent down the canyon and into Panamint Valley. (36.351806°, -117.551109°)
History & More
A gravel road can be walked out to more viewpoints along the rim of the canyon.
The canyon below Father Crowley Vista is called Rainbow Canyon because of the stripes of colorful rocks. Sometimes it’s also called Star Wars Canyon or Jedi Transition.
Father John J. Crowley was born in Ireland in 1891, the oldest of 8 children. The family immigrated to Massachusetts when John was 11. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1918 and moved to southern California, where there were very few priests and a growing population of immigrants, farmers, miners, and homesteaders.
After working for about a year in Los Angeles, Father Crowley volunteered to be the one and only priest for the Eastern Sierra region. He worked for the economic well-being of all the residents, not just for the few Roman Catholics in the region, including encouraging tourism to the area (especially around Death Valley and Mt. Whitney).
Sadly, Father Crowley was killed in a car accident in 1940 while driving his ancient Ford along CA-14. However, his legacy lives on. Crowley Lake was named after him, and a rare species of lupine, which only grows on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was named in his honor. He is remembered as the “Desert Padre” with a monument at the accident site.
Father Crowley Vista was once a popular place to watch Air Force pilots maneuver planes through the narrow canyon. However, these events have become much rarer in recent years, especially after below-the-rim flight was suspended in 2019.
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Driving Directions
Father Crowley Vista can be reached via CA-190, on the right 7.8 miles west of Panamint Springs Resort or on the left 4.7 miles east of the official sign welcoming visitors to Death Valley National Park.
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
Click here for 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.)