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: Very Strenuous 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April […]

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: Moderately Strenuous 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best […]

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: Very Extremely Strenuous 10+ Mile Difficulty: Extremely Strenuous to Very Extremely Strenuous View 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: Moderately Strenuous 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes (though a horse could not get up the […]

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: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: November-April Special Permits: None Water Availability: No potable […]

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 […]

Needle Peak – Death Valley National Park

Scramble up a peak with views over Anvil Spring Canyon, Butte Valley, and much more. Total Distance: 7.0 miles out & back Elevation Gain: 2,669ft. (3,582ft. to 5,772ft.) Difficulty: Very Strenuous 5-10 Mile Difficulty: Very Strenuous View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: Yes Best Seasons: October-May Special Permits: None […]

Artists Palette – Death Valley National Park

Hike up a canyon to see the beautiful Artists Palette – colorful badlands at the base of the Black Mountains. Total Distance: Approx. 0.4 mile lollipop loop Elevation Gain: 147ft. (603ft. to 713ft.) Difficulty: Easy 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Moderate View Rating: Author’s Rating: Visitor Rating: Visitor Difficulty Rating: Pets: No Horses: No Best Seasons: November-April […]