Route Overview
A shoulder-season loop pairing Joshua Tree and Death Valley with warm light, short hikes, and big desert views.
Itinerary
Evening light and short stops.
Hidden Valley Trail
Enjoy an easy one mile hike on Hidden Valley Trail.
Classic Joshua Tree loop through boulder formations.
Go early to avoid heat and crowds.
Barker Dam Trail
Enjoy an easy 1.1 mile hike on the Barker Dam Nature Trail.
Loop trail with desert views and historic dam.
Watch for bighorn sheep near the rocks.
Keys View
Keys View is a popular viewpoint providing wide vistas of the Little San Bernardino Mountains and Coachella Valley.
Wide desert views toward the Salton Sea.
Great late-day light.
Cap Rock sunset
Cap Rock is a popular centrally located rock formation.
Short loop and big rocks with sunset glow.
Easy path and great photo spot.
Classic hikes and viewpoints.
Cholla Cactus Garden sunrise
An easy quarter mile hike through a cholla patch along Pinto Basin Road.
Golden light on dense cholla fields.
Watch your footing; spines are sharp.
Skull Rock
A relatively flat, 1.7-mile loop trail. Hike through the large, granite boulder fields around the Jumbo Rocks area, including one near Park Boulevard that closely resembles a Skull.
Quick stop for a unique rock formation.
Short loop nearby for extra views.
Arch Rock Trail
From the trailhead at the Sand Dune Arch parking area, the trail crosses a large meadow to Broken Arch. You can return from there or continue through the arch to the campground, then circle back through fins with sand dunes and some moderate scrambling. Roundtrip Distance: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) Time: 30-60 minutes Elevation Change: 59 ft (18 m)
Short hike to a natural arch.
Light is best mid-morning.
Transit day to the Valley.
Badlands, basin, and scenic drives.
Zabriskie Point sunrise
Experience the stark beauty of Death Valley at this iconic vista overlooking badlands and salt flats.
Golden light on badlands and ridges.
Arrive before sunrise for best color.
Dante's View
Considered one of the best scenic vistas in the park, Dantes View provides a birds-eye view of Death Valley.
High viewpoint over Badwater Basin.
Wind can be strong.
Badwater Basin
Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation in North America at - 282 feet (- 86 m) below sea level. A visit to this otherworldly salt flat will provide you with a unique experience and a landscape that appears to stretch on forever. A short 1/4 mile (400 m) hike will you bring you to the polygon salt formations that Death Valley is famous for, or in the summer months, the view can be enjoyed from the parking area.
Lowest point in North America with salt flats.
Bring water; no shade.
Artists Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive through a geologic rainbow! Artists Drive is a one-way, nine mile (14.5 km) drive which passes through eroded, colorful desert hills. Artists Palette (a viewpoint) has the most colorful scenery along the road.
One-way loop with colorful volcanic hills.
Slow drive with frequent pullouts.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Stop by the visitor center to speak with park rangers and pay park fees and purchase national park passes. View the exhibits about Death Valley's history and natural wonders. Watch the park film, which is 20 minutes in length and plays throughout the day. Shop at the bookstore - light snacks/sandwiches/water are available for purchase. Become a Junior Ranger! Complete the activities in the booklet and earn a badge.
Maps, exhibits, and updates.
Refill water before the next day.
Sunrise dunes and volcanic views.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes sunrise
Death Valley’s best-known dune field.
Soft morning light on the dunes.
Go early for cooler temps and clean footprints.
Ubehebe Crater
Discover Death Valley’s explosive past at this volcanic crater.
Volcanic crater with short rim walks.
Windy; bring a light jacket.
Golden Canyon Trail
Golden Canyon Self-guided Hike Stop 1
Warm-colored canyon hike with varied geology.
Avoid midday heat in warmer months.
Return rental car and fly home.
Creates a copy you can customize
6
Days
15
Stops
moderate
Difficulty
Best Season
November-March for safe temperatures
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