Red Wall Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Red Wall Canyon (north of Little Arches Canyon) is the third-most-popular canyon in the Grapevine Mountains (after Titus Canyon and Fall Canyon). It features gorgeous red walls, slots, and some serious scrambles. Total Distance: 15.8 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 6,040ft. (396ft. to 4,660ft.) Difficulty: 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Extremely Strenuous View Rating: Author’s […]

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: 0-5 Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: Leashed Horses: No Best Seasons: October-May Special Permits: None Water Availability: None Overnight Options: None […]

Little Arches Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Just north of Palmer Canyon is Little Arches Canyon, which (unsurprisingly) features two good-sized arches, narrows, and a boulder scramble. Total Distance: 7.2 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,538ft. (897ft. to 1,870ft.) Difficulty: 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April […]

Palmer Canyon – Death Valley National Park

The next canyon north of Fall Canyon is almost as pretty and amazing as its more popular neighbor. Total Distance: 8.8 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 3,292ft. (897ft. to 3,033ft.) Difficulty: 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: […]

The Cauldron – Death Valley National Park

Explore a circular area of badlands filled with small slots, rock formations, and more to discover near Fall Canyon. Total Distance: 4.7 mile lollipop loop with spurs Elevation Gain: 1,345ft. (923ft. to 1,221ft.) Difficulty: 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April […]

Sheep Canyon – Death Valley National Park

A long canyon hike/scramble takes explorers from Badwater Flats into Gold Valley. Total Distance: 9.6 shuttle or 13.8 miles to do Sheep Canyon only Elevation Gain: 5,181ft. up, 1,244ft. down (-237ft. to 4,644ft.) (Sheep Canyon only: 5,253ft. (-222ft. to 4,716ft.)) Difficulty: or 10+ Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous to Very Extremely Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: […]

Foundry Canyon – Death Valley National Park

Explore a narrow desert canyon in the Black Mountains with plenty of dryfalls. Total Distance: 4.3 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 1,307ft. (-169ft. to 991ft.) Difficulty: 0-5 Mile Difficulty: View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes (though a horse could not get up the canyon) Best Seasons: November-April […]

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: 10+ Mile Difficulty: Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable or reliable […]

Con Benchmark – Death Valley National Park

Trek to a small mountaintop with a US Coast & Geodetic Survey triangulation station marker and great views of Owl Lake, Death Valley, and nearby canyons. Total Distance: 12.5 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 3,104ft. (-70ft. to 2,642ft.) Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous 10+ Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty […]

Contact Canyon – Death Valley National Park

The most scenic of the five officially-named canyons in the northeastern section of the Owlshead Mountains with rock formations along the wide wash. Contact Canyon is the middle of the five, with Owlshead Canyon to the north and Granite Canyon to the south. Total Distance: 15.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,638ft. (-71ft. to […]