Drone Canyon – Death Valley National Park
An unofficially-named canyon in the Owlshead Mountains south of South Quartz Canyon.
| Total Distance: 12.8 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 2,276ft. (1,49ft. to 2,413ft.) |
| Difficulty: Very Strenuous | 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: Drone Canyon
0.0 West side of the Harry Wade Road (149ft.). There is no official trailhead. Head southwest toward the mouth of Drone Canyon, just right (north) of what appears to be a small, light-colored hill (actually the southern wall of the canyon). The canyon mouth is angled, so you’ll be entering it from the south. (35.713560°, -116.529273°)
3.8 Mouth of Drone Canyon (1,078ft.). Continue up the canyon. The walls are colorful for a short period. (35.698848°, -116.588087°)
4.1 Canyon Split (1,193ft.). You may wish to turn right for a few hundred feet or so through colorful canyon walls. This is also the turn to find the crashed dart (see the History & More section for how to find the dart). This guide turns left to take the south fork deeper into the Owlshead Mountains. You may encounter rocks or dryfalls as the route works its way upward, but there are also quite a few colorful rocks. Keep your eyes open for possible remains of military equipment that crashed in the area before it was added to the national park. (35.700490°, -116.592792°)
5.9 Wash on left (2,113ft.). The wash on left (west) is a possible crossover to Military Canyon. The route after this is wider. (35.695397°, -116.614165°)
6.4 Route becomes rockier (2,415ft.). It may be possible to go further upcanyon with scrambling, but this guide turns around here. (35.698131°, -116.620120°)
History & More
Note that the use of drones is prohibited in this canyon, as it is within Death Valley National Park.
There are several entrances to canyons in this area. A GPS is useful for finding the correct one.
It’s hard to say exactly how Drone Canyon received its name, but chances are it has something to do with the military activity to the south. At one time or another, a hiker likely found either evidence of a “drone” or else saw a drone-like flying object while in or near the canyon. It’s also possible that the canyon was named after finding a crashed dart in a sidecanyon off of the main canyon (see below).
To get to the location (past or present) of the dart, turn right at the Canyon Split 4.1 miles from the Harry Wade Road. Stay in the main wash of the sidecanyon as it winds deep into the Owlshead Mountains. Be sure to stay right at a junction about 0.9 miles after leaving Drone Canyon (approx. 35.700665°, -116.605972°). About 1.1 miles from Done Canyon (approx. 35.702695°, -116.607298°), turn right up a small drainage. Stay in the left of the two channels to hike almost due north up the hillside and then a bit northwest to the crashed dart, which is approximately 1.25 miles from the main wash of Drone Canyon (approx. 35.704812°, -116.607743°).
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 16.5 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. If coming from the south, the “trailhead” is 9.2 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.)