Golden Canyon Trail – Death Valley
Golden Canyon Trail is a picturesque 2-mile round-trip hike located in Death Valley National Park, California. This easy to moderate trail showcases the stunning yellow walls of the canyon, offering hikers a vibrant landscape filled with fascinating geological formations.
Visitors will experience a unique environment marked by ancient water ripples preserved in stone and the opportunity to explore colorful side canyons. For those seeking more adventure, the trail extends to Red Cathedral and connects to the longer loop to Zabriskie Point, making it suitable for various skill levels.
Trail Details
| Trail Type | Out-and-back or loop (depending on route) |
| Difficulty | Easy/Moderate |
| Length | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| Elevation gain/loss | 535 ft to 834 ft (163 m to 254 m) |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 36.3014, -116.8338 |
| Location | Death Valley National Park |
| Season | Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Information Number | TBD |
| Information Email | TBD |
Getting to Golden Canyon Trailhead
To reach the Golden Canyon trailhead from Furnace Creek, take CA-190 east for approximately 2 miles and turn south onto Badwater Road. Continue for another 2 miles until you reach the Golden Canyon parking lot on your left. The trailhead features a paved parking lot with ample space for RVs and buses. Note that restrooms are available in the parking lot, but there are no facilities along the trail.
The Trail
Starting from the trailhead, hikers are immediately greeted by the vibrant hues of the canyon walls, which showcase various shades of gold, orange, and red. As you enter the canyon, the towering walls create a dramatic backdrop that enhances the hiking experience. The trail is well-marked and relatively flat, making it accessible for most hikers.
After about a half-mile, hikers will encounter a junction leading to Red Cathedral. The majority of visitors choose to turn back here, but for those seeking adventure, the 0.5-mile scramble to Red Cathedral is highly rewarding. This section involves navigating through narrow rock spaces and squeezing between boulders, offering an intimate experience with the canyon’s unique geology.
For a longer trek, the trail can be extended to Zabriskie Point, resulting in a 7.8-mile loop that showcases the vast beauty of Death Valley. This extended route requires a greater elevation gain and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Keep in mind that hiking is not advised after 10 AM during the summer months due to extreme heat. It’s best to start early in the day to enjoy the cooler temperatures and stunning morning light reflecting off the canyon walls.
Golden Canyon Geology
Two sedimentary rock formations dominate Golden Canyon. The yellow, mustard-colored sediments are the Furnace Creek Formation that consists dominantly of soft mudstone deposited in a basin or lake setting in the early to middle Pliocene Epoch (about 3 to 5 million years ago).
The upper reddish, cliff-forming strata is conglomerate of the upper Furnace Creek Formation (representing alluvial fan deposits that prograded into the basin beginning about 3 million years ago). In many ways, this ancient basin is analogous to modern sedimentary basins forming in the Death Valley region today, however, fossils in the sediments suggest the region was wetter, supporting a variety of large mammals adapted to savannah-like conditions.
Camping
While there are no campgrounds directly along the Golden Canyon Trail, Death Valley National Park offers several nearby options for camping. Furnace Creek Campground is a popular choice, providing facilities such as restrooms and potable water.
For a more secluded experience, consider the primitive camping available at locations like Wildrose Campground or Mahogany Flat Campground, which offer a closer connection to the park’s natural beauty. Visit our Death Valley camping guide for infomation on the many options in the park.
For more information about Golden Canyon and audio tours, check out the Golden Canyon Hike audio tour on the free NPS App.
Note: Pets are not permitted on any trails within Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Be sure to consult with a ranger for designated areas where pets are allowed.
