01
Best overall pick
Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop
Along Badwater Road, South Of Furnace Creek • Colorful Badlands And Canyon Loop Hike • Classic Death Valley Sampler
A varied loop that strings together narrows, badlands, and big views, just a short drive from Furnace Creek.
Starting from the Golden Canyon trailhead, this loop lets you weave through warm-hued walls, climb toward Red Cathedral, and return via the more open Gower Gulch. It packs a lot into a half-day outing: shade pockets in the canyon, high viewpoints, and a satisfying sense of progression. Go early for cooler temps and softer light on the ridges, and bring traction-friendly shoes for the loose, sometimes gravelly sections.
02
Best sunrise hike
Zabriskie Point Badlands Loop
East Of Furnace Creek Along Highway 190 • Short Badlands Circuit From An Iconic Overlook • Sunrise Showstopper
A compact maze of rolling ridges and gullies beneath Zabriskie Point, ideal when you want big scenery without a big mileage commitment.
Start with the classic overlook, then drop onto the network of signed badlands trails that loop below the viewpoint. Even a modest circuit delivers shifting textures, pastel colors, and views back toward Manly Beacon and the valley floor. This is a great choice when daylight is limited, or as a warm-up hike before tackling longer canyon routes later in the day.
03
Best hidden-feeling canyon
Desolation Canyon Trail
Side Road Off Badwater Road, Near Furnace Creek • Quiet, Twisting Canyon Walk • Under-The-Radar Adventure
A mostly unmarked canyon where soft bends, short scrambles, and surprise views create a sense of discovery close to Furnace Creek.
From the end of a short dirt spur, you follow a broad wash that quickly narrows into sculpted walls and branching side slots. The hike is straightforward but feels pleasantly remote, with a few easy scrambles and a final climb to a ridge that overlooks the badlands and valley. It’s a good pick when you want solitude without a long drive, especially in the late afternoon when shadows deepen the canyon’s colors.
04
Best easy walk with a famous view
Badwater Basin Salt Flats
Badwater Road, South Of Furnace Creek • Wide-Open Boardwalk-To-Basin Stroll • Iconic Beginner-Friendly Outing
A flat walk out onto the polygon-cracked salt crust at the lowest point in North America, more scenic than strenuous.
From the busy parking area and short boardwalk, continue on the packed path until you reach the more intricate salt polygons spreading out in every direction. The farther you walk, the quieter it gets and the more the basin’s scale comes into focus, framed by steep, shadowed mountains. Aim for early or late in the day to avoid the harshest heat and to catch color on the surrounding peaks.
05
Best slot-style canyon
Mosaic Canyon Trail
Near Stovepipe Wells, Northwest Of Furnace Creek • Polished Marble Narrows And Rocky Wash • Short-Drive Worth-It Detour
A crowd-pleasing canyon where smooth marble walls, mosaic-like breccia, and playful scrambles keep the short mileage engaging.
Reached by a graded dirt road from Stovepipe Wells, this trail quickly funnels you into sinuous narrows with slick marble and mosaic stone patterns. Beyond the slots, the canyon opens into a rockier wash with optional scrambles and minor route-finding, making it easy to tailor the distance to your energy and the temperature. Combine it with dunes or a scenic drive for a full day out from a Furnace Creek base.