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WILLOW CANYON: Towards the south end of Death Valley, Willow Creek flows through a moderately deep and narrow canyon for 3 miles, from Willow Spring quite high up in the Black Mountains to the hills at the edge of the valley, where the water sinks below ground or evaporates. The stream is only significant in winter and spring as during the long, hot summer the canyon dries up completely apart from a few algae-filled pools that persist all year.
The creek can be accessed from the top end via the 12.5 mile Gold Valley Road, a rather rough track branching off the gravel Greenwater Valley Road, though some sections need a 4WD vehicle. The lower end is much easier to reach by walking 2 miles from the main valley drive, and although the canyon has a number of high dryfalls that can only be passed in the downward direction with the aid of ropes, the west end makes for a nice, easy hike of 3 hours or so, through a short but scenic stretch of narrows.
Golden Canyon: A walk up Golden Canyon immerses hikers in the stark beauty of Death Valley.
NPS/ E. Letterman
There's gold in these hills!
Of course, the gold isn't in the form of a precious metal, but instead refers to the incredible yellow coloration of the canyon walls. While a peek into the canyon mouth from the parking area will give visitors a glimpse of the canyon's secrets, hiking into the canyon offers so much more: towering walls, colorful side canyons beckoning for exploration, ripples formed by ancient water, now preserved in stone, the history of a road reclaimed in a flash-flood event, and the skittering of wildlife.
This easy/moderate hike is 2 miles (3.2 km) round-trip, and involves one 3 foot (1 m) rock scramble. Although most hikers turn around at the junction to Red Cathedral, those looking for a more adventurous hike can continue an additional 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the vertically fluted walls of a natural amphitheater- Red Cathedral (this involves scrambling and squeezing/crawling through rock spaces). An even longer trek- 7.8 miles (12.6 km), will take hikers to Zabriskie Point, before looping back to the parking area via Gower Gulch.
Want to learn more? Check out the Golden Canyon Hike audio tour on the free NPS App.
HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10 AM IN THE SUMMER
Round Trip Length: 2-7.8 miles (3.2-12.6 km) depending on route
Round Trip Time: 1.5 to 4.5 hours depending on route
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Elevation Gain: 535 ft to 834ft (163m to 254m)
Trail Type: Official trail; loop or out and back depending on route
Location: 2 miles (3.2 km) south of CA-190 on Badwater Road
Parking: Paved lot. Large spaces for RVs and buses.
Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in parking lot. No restroom along the trail. Do not leave toilet paper in the canyons.
Route: A maze of canyons and badlands create many choose-your-own-adventure hiking opportunities. Free maps available at Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.
THE RANCH AT DEATH VALLEY: The 224-room hotel has been part of a $100 million renaissance and is the energetic center of activity in Death Valley. Set along Highway 190 next to the National Park Service Visitor Center, you can enjoy a classic town square with towering date palms and mission California architecture. You’ll find a new restaurant, ice cream and coffee bar, general store with souvenirs as well as groceries, and you can have drinks and dinner in the must-see Last Kind Words Saloon – straight out of a western movie.
This former working ranch has been transformed into the family-friendly heartbeat of The Oasis at Death Valley and the perfect home base for exploring the largest national park in the lower 48 states – Death Valley National Park. Offering a classic mid-century feel, guest rooms are adjacent to the Furnace Creek Golf Course on sprawling lawns with easy access to the ever-refreshing 87-degree spring-fed pool, sports courts and children’s playground. Many rooms open onto patios, while others have balconies overlooking the grounds. Plus, The Ranch offers horseback and carriage rides at our stables, Jeep rentals to explore the park in a rugged 4×4, and full 18-hole golf course – the lowest elevation course in North America.
Whether you’re an international traveler making a once-in-a-lifetime trip to America’s national parks, a group of friends driving classic cars through the park’s scenic byways meeting up to have fun, a group of photographers needing a base camp to return to after shooting the park’s charismatic splendors, or simply a couple looking to enjoy mother nature’s majesty in comfort, it’s time to discover The Ranch at Death Valley – the heart of this special place.
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