About
Length (round trip)3 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyModerate
Elevation gain600 ft up
Typical time1 hr 45 min
TrailheadGolden Canyon parking area, Badwater Road
SurfaceGravel wash and rock scramble
Best seasonNovember through March. From May to September the park service advises against hiking below 3,000 feet after 10am.
DogsNot allowed
What you'll see 🌄 Big views

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.

Tips
The final scramble into Red Cathedral is a short narrow squeeze - worth it. Pick up the interpretive booklet at the trailhead. Get out before 10am from April onwards.
Location

Golden Canyon parking area, Badwater Road

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