Trail Canyon, located in the southern part of Death Valley National Park, is not one of the park’s more famous frontcountry hikes like Golden Canyon or Mosaic Canyon. Instead, it’s primarily a backcountry road that doubles as a rugged hiking and backpacking route, offering a remote, off-the-beaten-path experience through a narrow canyon in the Panamint Range. This area is ideal for those seeking solitude, with opportunities to explore old mining relics, geologic features, and expansive desert views. The route follows Trail Canyon Road, which starts off West Side Road and ascends into the canyon. It’s suitable for day hikes, overnight backpacking, or mountain biking, but requires preparation due to its isolation and rough terrain. Note that while it’s called a “road,” it’s often impassable for standard vehicles beyond the first few miles, making it effectively a trail for foot travel.
Key Trail Statistics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | Approximately 8 miles one-way (16 miles round-trip if hiking the full road); shorter out-and-back options available (e.g., 4-6 miles for a day hike to mining sites). |
| Elevation Gain | About 1,500-2,000 feet, starting at around 200 feet below sea level and climbing uphill into the canyon. |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous for hiking; very difficult for biking. The terrain includes rocky spots, washouts, and steep inclines. 4×4 high-clearance vehicles are required for driving beyond mile 4, but hiking is recommended to avoid vehicle damage. |
| Time Required | 4-8 hours for a full round-trip day hike; 1-2 days for backpacking with side explorations. |
| Best Time to Visit | Late fall to early spring (October-April) to avoid extreme heat; summer temperatures can exceed 120°F (49°C), making it dangerous. |
| Access | Start from West Side Road (accessible via Badwater Road). The junction is unmarked, so use a GPS or detailed map. No permit required for day hikes, but free backcountry permits are needed for overnight stays (available at visitor centers or online). Wild camping is allowed 1 mile off West Side Road in the canyon branches. |
| Water and Amenities | No water sources; carry at least 1 gallon per person per day. No facilities at the trailhead—nearest restrooms and water at Furnace Creek (about 20 miles away). |
Trail Map
What to Expect on the Hike
The route begins on a relatively flat, gravelly road off West Side Road, winding through alluvial fans before entering the narrowing canyon. Early sections are drivable with caution in a high-clearance vehicle, but after about 4 miles, it becomes too rocky and eroded for most cars, transitioning into a hiking path. You’ll encounter loose gravel, boulder-strewn washes, and occasional steep scrambles. The scenery features colorful badlands, layered geologic formations (including fossil-bearing rocks from ancient seas), and views of the valley floor below. Wildlife sightings might include bighorn sheep, coyotes, or desert tortoises, but encounters are rare due to low visitor traffic.
Highlights include remnants of historic mining operations, such as old tunnels, cabins, and equipment from the early 1900s gold and antimony mines (more on this in the history section below). Side canyons branch off for exploration, like the South Fork where the Old Dependable Mine is located. The upper reaches offer panoramic vistas of Death Valley and the surrounding mountains. For backpackers, dispersed camping spots are plentiful in the canyon’s forks, providing starry night skies and profound silence.
Current Conditions (as of August 2025)
Based on recent reports, Trail Canyon Road is open and passable for hiking, following repairs after past flash floods. West Side Road, the access route, was reopened in 2024 up to the Trail Canyon Junction after storm damage. Conditions can change rapidly due to weather—flash floods are a risk during monsoons (July-September), creating washouts and mud. Recent visitor feedback notes some rutted sections and loose rocks, but no major obstacles for foot traffic. Always check the NPS website for updates before heading out, as roads in Death Valley are prone to closure. Carry extra water, sun protection, and navigation tools, as cell service is nonexistent. Flat tires are common on the approach roads, so be prepared for self-rescue.
This trail is low-use, making it a peaceful escape from crowded spots like Badwater Basin. However, its remoteness means help is far away—hike with a partner and inform someone of your plans.
History of the Region
History of Trail Canyon
Trail Canyon’s human history is deeply tied to mining, reflecting the broader boom-and-bust cycles of the American West. The earliest activity dates to around 1906-1907, coinciding with gold rushes in nearby areas like Harrisburg and Skidoo. At least three companies operated here: the Death Valley Wonder Mining & Milling Company (incorporated in 1906, with claims assaying up to $85 per ton in gold and silver), the Wild Rose Mining Company (active by 1906, sold for $300,000 in 1907), and the Trail Canyon Mining Company (incorporated in 1906 but failed due to the 1907 stock market crash). These operations involved tunnels, crosscuts, and small crews, but many folded amid economic downturns and challenging logistics.
By the 1930s-1940s, focus shifted to antimony at the Old Dependable Mine in the South Fork, producing over 2 million pounds, mostly during World Wars I and II for alloys in munitions. Operator Brinn W. Belyea invested heavily in infrastructure, employing up to 18 men, but production halted postwar due to market slumps and remote access. Tungsten mining surged during World War II and the 1950s, with sites like the Sheepshead-Victory Group and Tarantula Mine (later Broken Pick Mine) yielding high-grade ore. The 1950s saw a flurry of claims, road building, and camps, but by the 1970s, activity dwindled as ore bodies depleted. Today, remnants like corrugated metal cabins and adits dot the landscape, preserved as cultural resources within the park.
Geologically, the area holds fossils (e.g., crinoids and gastropods) from ancient marine environments, adding to its scientific value.
Broader History of Death Valley National Park
Death Valley’s history spans millennia, beginning with Indigenous peoples. The Timbisha Shoshone have inhabited the region for over 1,000 years, using the harsh landscape for hunting, gathering, and seasonal migrations. Their homeland was subsumed into park boundaries in 1933, but they gained federal recognition and land rights in later decades.
European-American contact began dramatically in 1849 when a group of gold rush pioneers, known as the “Jayhawkers” or “Lost ’49ers,” became trapped while seeking a shortcut from Utah to California. One member’s dying words reportedly named it “Death Valley,” though most survived after escaping via Wingate Pass. This event sparked interest in the area.
Mining booms followed: borax in the 1880s (famous “20-Mule Teams”), gold and silver in the early 1900s (towns like Rhyolite and Skidoo), and later talc, lead, and tungsten. Tourism emerged in the 1920s with resorts like the Furnace Creek Inn. President Herbert Hoover designated it a national monument in 1933 to protect it from unchecked mining, with significant development by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, building roads and facilities. It expanded and became a national park in 1994 under the California Desert Protection Act, now encompassing over 3.4 million acres—the largest national park in the contiguous U.S.
Today, Death Valley is renowned for extremes: the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin at -282 feet), hottest recorded temperatures (134°F in 1913), and diverse geology from ancient faults to salt flats. It draws over a million visitors annually for its stark beauty and historical sites, while ongoing challenges include climate change, flash floods, and preserving cultural heritage.
