Interpretive Paths
We always recommend talking to a Ranger at the Park Visitor Center or Ranger Station at Stovepipe Wells.
Easy to Moderate Hikes
Harmony Borax Works
Length: 0.4 mi (0.6km) ADA accessible paved loop
Time: 30 minutes round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (0.8km)
Location: 1 mile (1.6km) west of Furnace Creek on CA-190
Parking: Paved area with large spaces for RV’s and buses
Closest Restroom: No restrooms. Furnace Creek Visitor Center 1 mile (1.6km) east.
Route: The paved loop takes you back in time as you learn the stories of Death Valley borax and the 20-
Mule Teams. Interpretive panels along the way explain details of the borax processing, the story of the Mule
Skinner, life in Harmony, and more.
Badwater Salt Flat
Length: 1 mile (1.6km) out and back trip to edge of salt flat. 5 miles (8km) each way to the other side.
Time: Average hiking speed is 2 mph (3.2 km/h), make your own adventure!
Difficulty: Easy to difficult depending on length. It is flat. Do not attempt when it’s hot!
Elevation Gain: Flat
Location: Badwater Road 30 minutes (17 miles/27km) south of Furnace Creek.
Parking: Paved parking lot with large spaces for RV’s and buses.
Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in parking lot.
Route: The lowest point in North America is a beautiful salt flat covering over 200 square miles (322km) of
the valley. ADA accessible ramp leads down to boardwalk.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Length: 2 miles (3.2km) round trip out and back
Time: 1.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation Gain: 185 ft (65m)
Location: Located in Stovepipe Wells Village 30 minutes (24mi/39km) west of Furnace Creek.
Parking: Paved lot with pull through spaces for buses and large RV’s.
Closest Restroom: Vault toilets located in parking lot.
Route: The summit of the high dune is 1 mile (1.6km) each way. No formal trail. Of the seven sets of dunes
in Death Valley, these are the most famous and accessible.
Mosaic Canyon
Length: 4 miles (6.4km) out and back round trip
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft (366m)
Location: The 2.3 mile (3.7km) unpaved Mosaic Canyon Road is located in Stovepipe Wells Village just across from Stovepipe Wells Campground. The road is typically passable in a sedan.
Parking: A large gravel parking area. Buses and large RV’s not recommended.
Closest Restroom: Stovepipe Wells Village at the general store and restaurant.
Route: Many hikers choose to hike to the first set of beautiful canyon narrows less than 0.5 miles (0.8km)
into the canyon.
Summer Hikes
Wildrose Peak
Length: 8.4 miles (13.5km) out and back, round trip.
Time: 6 hours round trip.
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft (671m)
Location: From CA-190 follow Emigrant Canyon Road past the Wildrose Campground to the parking area at
the Charcoal Kilns. The final 2 miles is a maintained gravel surface typically passable in a sedan. 25 ft vehicle
limit.
Parking: 25 ft vehicle limit. Open gravel area.
Closest Restroom: Vault toilet in parking area. No restroom along the trail, follow principle 3 of Leave No Trace (LNT).
Route: A great hike for when it starts getting too hot in the valley. Winter storms may bring some snow.
Telescope Peak
Length: 14 mile (22.5km) out and back, round trip
Time: 7 hours round trip
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft (914m)
Location: From CA-190 follow Emigrant Canyon Road past the Wildrose Campground to the parking area at the Charcoal Kilns. The final 5 miles is a maintained gravel surface typically passable in a sedan. 25 ft. vehicle limit.
Parking: 25 ft vehicle limit. Open gravel area.
Closest Restroom: Vault toilet in parking area. No restroom along the trail, follow principle 3 of Leave No Trace (LNT).
Route: Trail to highest peak in the park (11,049 ft.) with a 3,000 ft. elevation gain. Climbing in winter requires ice axe and crampons, and only advised for experienced winter climbers.