Smoke Tree Slots – Death Valley National Park
Two slot canyons south of Smoke Tree Canyon.
| Total Distance: 9.25 miles out & back with spurs | Elevation Gain: 1,008ft. (-2ft. to 599ft.) |
| Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous | 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Strenuous |
| 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: 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: Smoke Tree Slots
0.0 Unmarked trailhead on the west side of the Harry Wade Road (10ft.). There is no trail or any indication that it is a parking area or trailhead. Walk west to cross the Amargosa River (sometimes dry, sometimes flowing) about mile 1.25 and another channel about mile 1.8, then continue westward to the mouth of South Smoke Tree Canyon. (35.792936°, -116.531733°)
3.1 Mouth of South Smoke Tree Canyon (397ft.). Turn south along the base of the hills. Pass two small washes, then turn right up the first major wash to the south of South Smoke Tree Canyon. (35.787001°, -116.586732°)
3.4 Mouth of Slot 1 Canyon (369ft.). Turn right (west) up the wash. (35.784304°, -116.584433°)
3.7 Wash Split (453ft.). Take the left fork to travel southwest. (35.782023°, -116.588804°)
3.8 Slot on right (503ft.). This is a beautiful, special side-trip that ends in a 50ft. dryfall. Check out the slot, then continue up the main canyon. (35.780096°, -116.591149°)
3.9 End of Slot 1 (545ft.). A dryfall blocks progress. To get to Slot 2, you’ll need to backtrack. While it’s said that you can trek overland to the top of Slot 2 and descend, this includes a bit of sketchy scrambling, so I recommend backtracking back to the mouth of the first slot and head south to the third wash that comes out of the hills (the middle wash is wide and may appear to be two washes). (If you want to go overland, backtrack about halfway back to the Wash Split. A small side-wash on the south gives access to the hills above Slot 1. Drop down into the wash above the dryfall, then take another side-wash up and over to drop into the next wash to the south. Scramble up the rocky hillside and walk west and south to drop into Slot 2 near its head in the Owlshead Mountains.) (35.779473°, -116.591459°)
4.8 Mouth of Slot 2 (383ft.). Turn west (right) to walk up Slot 2. The slot isn’t especially narrow in terms of a “slot canyon,” but the formations make it fascinating. (35.778933°, -116.581475°)
5.5 More or less end of Slot 2 (599ft.). While it’s likely you can walk further up the wash, it’s not as narrow as before. Turn around and retrace your steps to the mouth and then strike out back across the Amargosa River and to your vehicle. (35.774835°, -116.590295°)
9.25 Harry Wade Road (10ft.). (35.792936°, -116.531733°)
History & More
Smoke Tree Slots received their name from their proximity to Smoke Tree Canyon to the north. You still might see some smoke trees in the area.
The Amargosa River is 185 miles long, flowing from the Amargosa Valley to Death Valley, where it vanishes into an underground aquifer. It rarely flows above ground in this section except after rain or snowmelt – when it can turn into a dangerous waterway. Chances are you’ll only see water from December-April, though it can flow at any time of year. The word “Amargosa” comes from a Spanish word meaning “bitter.”
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 10.7 miles south of the northern end of the Harry Wade Road. If coming from the south, the “trailhead” is 8.5 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.)