A perfect introduction to Death Valley.
Death Valley: Hottest, Driest, and Lowest National Park
Explore the best hikes and scrambles in the stunning desert landscape of Death Valley National Park.
Images
![2014_12_04_0028.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/37f6d788-a0a9-4b79-9f5e-d63ebad441bb?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Looking down into Death Valley.
![2014_12_04_0068.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/cdd92612-aa72-48ba-a47d-b0305502cac8?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Rare fog in Death Valley National Park.
![2014_12_04_0047.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/1cc57fae-914c-4d1d-8ad4-c84a7c704d60?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Looking down into Death Valley from Dante's Peak.
![2014_12_04_0072.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/6a4a8a08-ba96-45b1-aade-8c9b569e5b33?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Cactus flowers.
![2014_12_04_0095.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/3ef8cca5-a0a8-4676-b851-05e8ac9a27a9?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Foggy ridge.
![2014_12_05_0190.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/208cf1d2-d75f-41ee-adae-2ec3c7b893b6?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Edge of the salt flats.
![2014_12_05_0204.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/b2a75963-46b5-4f0e-aff1-ead82d38039b?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Sunset in Badwater Basin
![2014_12_05_0198.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/2e73de8f-c80b-4219-894e-65c05db8fe48?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Mountains silhouetted in the fog.
![2014_12_04_0257.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/056ee25b-c2cb-454b-8e38-6630ab08c7da?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Leaving Glower Gulch.
![2014_12_04_0146.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/a5f9faae-6d33-402c-915d-8ebb05cc7de0?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Lots of formations to explore.
![2014_12_04_0201.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/2b59a804-7e0e-4aeb-b78c-b1ca039d01b8?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Sweeping views of the valley.
![2014_12_04_0213.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/5f9b02b0-18c5-4bab-8b32-b6cd15b17157?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Amazing rock formation all around.
![2014_12_04_0229.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/ed2220a7-40a6-4f55-a123-9e031ae01a94?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Striate rock adds amazing color to the scene.
![2014_12_04_0119.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/5220a697-c929-43f2-9a87-9475ce849141?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Heading up Golden Canyon.
![2014_12_04_0128.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/b806f76c-037e-48c4-942b-1e9b335dd817?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The trail will take you up high along the canyon.
![2014_12_06_0257.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/de36fa61-45a5-4056-98c5-c7c7a23aa4b2?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Get up high to see the valley from the canyon.
![2014_12_06_0264.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/4f530eea-6cff-4a92-aed5-94cedba8cae2?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The canyon is wide in places.
![2014_12_06_0262.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/d23ed4ff-5098-4bee-8d3f-4cca24e9dba7?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Narrow twists.
![2014_12_06_0278.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/7a31e98a-f42f-47f8-88d1-c60a595623b9?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Views of the Mesquite Dunes.
![2014_12_06_0305.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/294f1d39-d168-439b-8f0d-b9f011678801?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Rubbery salt mats.
![2014_12_06_0296.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/a263ac4c-9da5-4541-9341-ede52be5cc2f?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The setting sun brings out the red in the mountains.
![2014_12_06_0299.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/392c4706-7dac-45f5-8a5d-eb27030728ca?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Plant life on the edge of the dunes.
![2014_12_06_0312.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/50dd196d-6eba-4320-8501-fe41c5be547e?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Ethereal glow of the setting sun.
![2014_12_06_0304.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/5537e393-8cd5-4110-92fe-b77a796559c4?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Wind sculpted dunes.
![2014_12_07_0206.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/e55c689d-314c-4d1a-8bb1-0d90833e7e74?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Lots and lots of rocks.
![2014_12_07_0195.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/6e0dd761-690b-4030-a593-a1900baaf552?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The sun lights oup the striated walls.
![2014_12_07_0110.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/3a0ff4d8-a66b-4d13-87c1-736c6d4bec1e?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Some wide open areas in the canyon.
![2014_12_07_0167.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/78f9a68a-2030-4af8-9e39-e225db44682c?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Narrow turns in the canyon.
![2014_12_07_0144.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/caed26ad-a3aa-453e-b13a-811ff46370bb?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Abundant plant life scattered throughout the canyon.
![2014_12_07_0203.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/2ad71a84-8476-404f-9862-ad813f621b55?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Hanging vegetation on the canyon walls.
![2014_12_06_0072.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/82fabe7f-8624-4ac8-9fb0-f1b747d8975e?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Lots of opportunity to climb around.
![2014_12_06_0054.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/d63ee9bc-f433-41bd-bb45-c4d811c564ff?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
One of many dryfalls.
![2014_12_06_0113.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/bd9515be-d4c0-4876-8c9e-a7ecefb98037?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Interesting rock formations on the canyon walls.
![2014_12_06_0044.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/77440e9e-fd5c-4870-9230-0de7927ed4ba?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Getting past the dryfalls will get you past the crowds.
![2014_12_06_0216.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/818c5f97-e8cf-4d36-ba0e-1778eaf42846?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Get up high to see down into the canyon.
![2014_12_06_0012.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/2c1d8182-77a4-4e11-90d7-7dae5cce8d99?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Entering the canyon.
![2014_12_06_0066.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/bfb2f54d-d575-4ac4-a385-b0af275f4621?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Views from up high on the canyon walls.
![2014_12_06_0178.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/88531d60-0393-456a-a3de-a6e3461d063c?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Get up high on this ridge to see out into the valley.
![2014_12_06_0223.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/fe2736d2-8680-407c-93cd-5d5559ee427c?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Another climb will give you stunning views of the canyon below.
![2014_12_05_0082.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/00833c68-f931-48d9-b0bc-262729988631?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Narrow slots and steep canyon walls.
![2014_12_05_0037.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/529fc4e3-e5bd-46d7-b46e-cc4d95cf3441?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Looking down on Sidewinder Canyon and Death Valley.
![2014_12_05_0101.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/51d68907-f6e5-44bc-b4a0-8335c52e73c9?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Looking out onto Death Valley near the opening of Sidewinder Canyon.
![2014_12_05_0044.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/99f978b6-840c-4642-87a8-1b6b00d31ff3?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
High above Sidewinder Canyon looking at neighboring formations.
![2014_12_05_0172.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/f9758407-357e-4e09-bcc5-a90611b1c3b0?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Sweeping view of Badwater Basin.
![2014_12_05_0173.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/7bfae7de-ca7b-438f-a948-bc166fe2294f?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
View from the entrance to Willow Canyon.
![2014_12_05_0123.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/c8e313a8-dc18-429b-b7ec-cad3b667f426?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Narrowing canyon near the waterfall.
![2014_12_05_0145.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/4fa26c9f-0d2e-4ce8-97c3-9a4416cbf7fb?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The waterfall at the end.
![2014_12_05_0165.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/5a74150b-db51-46c3-b86e-8e97c76d8c97?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The canyon gets wide in spots.
![2014_12_05_0125.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/66b9a0a9-7db9-4c2e-8277-8ebcbb8e6587?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Flora growing in the rocks.
![2014_12_07_0073.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/cc4b4218-ebae-4966-b649-e6a0d0b874d0?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Petroglyph like veins on the canyon walls.
![2014_12_07_0008.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/56480f6e-9d71-422a-a8fb-d6e1a51e54e2?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The road through the Narrows.
![2014_12_07_0013.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/5194c5c4-52b7-49a1-bd0b-14da94a56231?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Lots of ledges provide scrambling opportunities.
![2014_12_07_0035.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/58a37938-2a20-4483-a09e-418c19a3d97e?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Climb up high to get a good view of the canyon.
![2014_12_07_0081.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/ae52afdc-9811-44f9-9546-0440a35a2e9c?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Hanging gardens on the canyon walls.
![2014_12_08_0057.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/276ae4b5-d6ff-45a9-8b99-c47642f174a3?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Mountains silhouetted in the fog.
![2014_12_08_0044.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/d5344c10-e749-4b61-b3ec-d2a3fb0cc9f6?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The mountains and the dessert provide a tapestry of colors and textures.
![2014_12_08_0112.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/975ee828-d385-43ce-9f6c-8490d823093b?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Badwater Basin seen from the Wildrose peak trail.
![2014_12_08_0095.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/c443d534-d370-466b-a2f7-64e19a72baf5?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
12,132 ft. Olanch Peak in the distance.
![2014_12_08_0110.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/c6ad6f5e-79c8-4e41-ad28-0885a72bbda2?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
Golden Canyon seen from the Wildrose Peak trail.
![2014_12_08_0153.jpg](https://fatmap-digitiser-assets.imgix.net/40ce4494-10a9-4244-9d3f-edbea482943b?w=328&h=250&fit=crop")
The Charcoal Kilns.
Description
"In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes,” according to the National Park Service. "Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley.”
Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in the Americas, at 282 feet below sea level. The heat in the summertime should not be underestimated—it is often deadly. But in the winter, Death Valley provides a fantastic desert getaway filled with stunning canyons, salt flats, and towering mountain peaks.
In this guidebook, you’ll find the best hikes in Death Valley National Park, ranging from the easy tourist jaunts to difficult scrambles up slot canyons. Whatever flavor of hike you’re looking for, this guidebook has you covered!
Adventures
The quintessential Death Valley experience.
A popular Death Valley hike with colorful formations in a beautiful canyon.
A secluded adventure more than a hike.
Exploring these dunes is an iconic Death Valley experience.
This deep canyon hike has a true wilderness vibe.
Hike past the highly-traveled lower canyon for a strikingly-beautiful trek.
An excursion into a scenic wilderness canyon.
A lovely hike to a canyon waterfall.
A stunning road walk through towering cliff walls.
Climb 2,200 feet to the summit of Wildrose Peak.