Monarch Canyon Road – Death Valley National Park
Photo credit The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/2oTQFY7
Photo credit The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company, CC BY 2.0. View at https://flic.kr/p/2oTQFY7
Rough dirt road down Upper Monarch Canyon to an old miner’s trail.
| Total Distance: 0.7 miles point to point (dead end) | Elevation Gain: 12ft. up, 237ft. down (3,512ft. to 3,287ft.) |
| Road Difficulty: 1.8 | Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult |
| View Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 1.0 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: Yes |
| Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None |
| Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: Dispersed camping permitted |
| Amenities: None | Crowd Factor: Solitude to Moderate |
Uses:         | Road surface:   |
Features:   | Hazards:       |
Mile-by-Mile: Monarch Canyon Road
0.0 Monarch Canyon Road Junction on the Chloride City Road (3,512ft.). Turn southwest to travel down Upper Monarch Canyon. (36.736708°, -116.912581°)
0.7 End of the Monarch Canyon Road (3,287ft.). About a tenth of a mile before the end, the road passes over some rocks. If you do not have 4×4, stop here and walk the rest of the way to where the road seems to go over a pouroff. A miner’s trail departs to go around the pouroff, but it is inaccessible to vehicles. Views are good over the pouroff. (36.729546°, -116.916941°)
History & More
It’s very likely that the Monarch Canyon Road was constructed to access mining claims in the canyon. A stamp mill and other remains are still visible in the canyon below the pouroff.
Technically, you don’t need 4×4 for this adventure as long as you stop a tenth of a mile before the pouroff. However, high clearance is highly recommended. Don’t try it if you’re not capable of self-rescue – cell service is very limited out here.
Download Trail Map
Coming soon!
Driving Directions
Take the Chloride City Road 2.2 miles from the Daylight Pass Road. Turn right (south) onto the Monarch Canyon 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.)
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