Hole in the Rock Spring – Death Valley National Park
Follow an old trail up to a spring in the desert.
| Total Distance: 0.9 miles out & back | Elevation Gain: 262ft. (2,729ft. to 2,880ft.) |
| Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Easy |
| View Rating: 2.0 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: No | Horses: Yes |
| Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: No potable water | Overnight Options: None |
| Trailhead Amenities: Primitive Restroom at Hell’s Gate | Crowd Factor: Solitude |
| Trailhead Access: 0.6 | |
Uses:    | Trail Surface:     |
Features:    | Hazards:    |
Mile-by-Mile: Hole in the Rock Spring
0.0 Corkscrew Peak Pulloff on the Daylight Pass Road (2,729ft.). Hike up (literally!) the road toward Daylight Pass (away from the valley). (36.739023°, -116.968089°)
0.1 Turn left up the hillside (2,740ft.). Locate the old trail that heads northwest up the hillside. The path crosses over the shoulder of the hill and then works its way north above the wash until it drops into the wash about mile 0.25. Continue right up the wash to the spring. (36.740387°, -116.967164°)
0.3 Hole in the Rock Spring (2,878ft.). The spring is in a hole/cave in the rock just to the right of a small dryfall. Be sure to look back down the wash to the Death Valley Buttes and the Panamint Mountains. Retrace your steps to your vehicle. (36.743798°, -116.967021°)
History & More
There is very little information about this spring in park literature. I’d guess it was known by indigenous inhabitants for a very long time and then was also used by prospectors and early settlers to the region. I’m thankful for purified water to drink!
Hole in the Rock Spring is not water you would want to drink. The number of pathogens and algae in the water makes me shutter. You’re also not allowed to swim in it (yuck!)
Download Trail Map
Coming soon!
Driving Directions
Take the Daylight Pass Road (signed for Beatty) from the Scotty’s Castle Road. At 6.7 miles, bear left to stay on the Daylight Pass Road. About 1.2 miles later, park along the side of the road in the Corkscrew Peak pulloff. The trailhead is also 4.9 miles south of Daylight Pass.
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.)