The Best Easy Hikes in Death Valley

Short walks with big payoffs, paced for heat and little legs.

By Chris Hayworth, Nestward

Death Valley is a "land of extremes," in the park's own words: a below-sea-level basin with record summer heat. The good news for hikers who don't want a death march: the most famous sights here are short, flat, and sit right off the road. The catch is timing. Get the season right and these are some of the easiest great walks in any national park.

Start with Badwater Basin (1.8 miles round trip, flat)

This is the one everyone comes for. Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and the boardwalk leads straight onto a cracked white salt flat. The full out-and-back to the open salt polygons runs about 1.8 miles round trip, but you don't have to do all of it. The view is striking from the first hundred yards.

• Dead flat, hard-packed at the start, then crunchy salt.
• Zero shade. None. Bring more water than feels reasonable.
• Kids love spotting the little "BADWATER BASIN" sea-level sign high on the cliff behind the parking lot.

Zabriskie Point and Dantes View for the big vistas

If you want the postcard with almost no walking, these two deliver. Zabriskie Point is a roughly quarter-mile paved climb from the parking lot to an overlook of golden, wrinkled badlands, a popular sunrise spot. Dantes View sits a mile above the salt flats and gives you the whole valley in one sweep; the overlook is steps from the car, with short ridge paths if you want a few more minutes on your feet.

• Zabriskie Point: about 0.4 miles round trip, paved, gently uphill.
• Dantes View: a short walk from parking; the drive itself is the effort.
• Both are far cooler than the valley floor, especially Dantes View at elevation.

Golden Canyon and Harmony Borax Works

For an actual trail without committing to a real hike, Golden Canyon is the sweet spot. The lower canyon is an easy, mostly flat walk between glowing rock walls; turn around whenever the family's done, or push the 2-mile round trip to the Red Cathedral viewpoint. For history with your steps, the Harmony Borax Works Self Guided Walk is a short paved interpretive loop past the old borax refinery and a famous Twenty Mule Team wagon, flat, quick, and shaded by interest if not by trees.

• Golden Canyon: turn-around-anytime; ~2 miles round trip to Red Cathedral.
• Harmony Borax Works: under half a mile, paved, stroller-friendly.
• Both are low in the valley, so save them for cool hours.

When to go (this matters more than the trail)

Spring is the most popular season: warm, sunny, and your shot at the wildflower fields the park is known for. Autumn brings pleasant temperatures and clear skies. Winter is cool, sometimes with snow on the high peaks and beautiful low light. Summer is the one to respect: by May the valley can be scorching, and midday hikes on the salt flats become genuinely dangerous. If you're here in the heat, do the flat walks at dawn and spend midday at Dantes View or in the air conditioning.

• Entrance is $30 per vehicle, good for 7 days; the park is open daily, all year.
• Stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center for current conditions and water.
• Cell service is patchy to nonexistent. Download maps before you arrive.

A note on dogs

Be honest with yourself before you bring the dog: like most national parks, Death Valley does not allow pets on trails. Dogs are limited to roads, parking areas, and campgrounds, and must stay leashed. So Badwater Basin's boardwalk, Golden Canyon, and the overlook paths are off-limits to pups. Add the ground heat (salt and pavement can burn paws fast) and a Death Valley trip is usually one to do without them.