If you're looking for an adventure, look no further than Death Valley National Park.

As the largest national park in the U.S., there is a stunning and gorgeous variety of hiking trails that will take your breath away.

Established in 1933, the park spans more than 3 million acres and boasts over one thousand miles of hiking trails. Most of the park (93%) is designated as a wilderness area that is home to thousands of different plants and animals.

While every hike you go on will be quite the adventure, Death Valley gets hot — really hot.

The best time to hike is usually in the morning or evening when it's cooler outside, and be sure to carry plenty of water with you.

From strenuous hikes that will test your endurance to easy walks through the desert, there's something for everyone in Death Valley. In this blog post, we'll discuss the 5 best hiking trails in Death Valley National Park. Let's get started!

Darwin Falls Trail

If you're looking for a waterfall in the desert, don't worry it's not a myth, you can find it at the Darwin Falls Trail.

This hike will take you up a canyon to two beautiful waterfalls while providing stunning views of the Death Valley landscape. Darwin Falls is only one of the very few waterfalls that doesn't dry up and can be seen year-round, so you can see the beautiful views any time.

The hike is about three miles roundtrip and takes around two hours to complete. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen as it can get quite hot.

Total Distance: 1.92 Miles

Elevation Gain: 233 Feet

Difficulty: Easy - Hiking

Route Type: Out and Back

Other Info: 

• This trail requires a park fee in order to enter.
• No pets are allowed on this trail.
• Bring plenty of water as the outdoor weather in this area gets very dry and hot, which can lead to dehydration.

Mosaic Canyon Trail

If you're looking for a hike that offers a variety of different terrains and scenery, the Mosaic Canyon Trail is perfect.

This trail will take you through narrow and winding slot canyons as you get up close and personal with the canyon walls. 

Keep watch and spot for mosaic breccia, a scientific term for when larger rocks cement together with older smaller pieces of rock to create those interesting color patterns.

Watch out if it is raining or has recently rained. Because this train is more enclosed, rain can flood the passageways and create deep puddles. 

Total Distance: 3.29 Miles

Elevation Gain: 958 Feet

Difficulty: Moderate - Hiking

Route Type: Out and Back

Other Info:

• This trail requires a park fee in order to enter.
• No pets are allowed on this trail.
• Bring plenty of water as the outdoor weather in this area gets very dry and hot, which can lead to dehydration.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail

It's time to get sandy! The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes takes you through some of death valley's biggest and most jaw-dropping sand dunes.

Towering over you are the sand dunes that offer some of the most amazing photo opportunities in the park, especially in the afternoon when the sun is hitting the very top of the dunes.

For more spectacular views, stay until the sun sets and take in the stars.

There is no defined trail on this hike so you can turn back whenever you want. Just remember this is mirage territory, meaning the distance can seem a lot shorter than it actually is so make sure to have lots of hydrating drinks with you.

Total Distance: 2.79 Miles

Elevation Gain: 206 Feet

Difficulty: Easy - Hiking, Walking

Route Type: Out and Back

Other Info:

• This trail requires a park fee in order to enter
• This trail is great for kids
• No pets are allowed on this trail
• Please ensure you bring drinkable water as the weather get very dry and hot

Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail

Easily the most popular hike in Death Valley National Park is the Badwater Basin salt flats trail.

Billed as one of the hottest places on earth, Badwater takes you to the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. 

While you might think it's snow covering the ground, it's actually a thick layer of salt from minerals that drain down during rainy seasons, then dry up in the basin. You can see this white salt from miles across the basin and is easily a highlight of any trip to Death Valley.

Total Distance: 1.92 Miles

Elevation Gain: 6.5 Feet

Difficulty: Easy - Hiking, Walking

Route Type: Out and Back

Other Info:

• This trail requires a park fee in order to enter.
• This trail is great for kids.
• Stroller and wheelchair friendly.
• No pets are allowed on this trail.
• Bring plenty of water as the outdoor weather in this area gets very dry and hot, which can lead to dehydration.

Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop

This loop hike is one for the Death Valley diehards.

Starting at Zabriskie Point, the hike takes you through Golden Canyon, a narrow gorge with towering walls that date back to when this area was under the ocean. The hike then brings you up to Gower Gulch for more canyon views before looping back around.

With some elevation changes and a few steep areas, this hike is more difficult than the others on this list but well worth the effort. 

Once you get looking at some stunning views during this hike, you really get a sense of what Death Valley has to offer.

Total Distance: 6.40 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1082 Feet

Difficulty: Moderate - Hiking

Route Type: Loop

Other Info:

• This trail requires a park fee in order to enter.
• The trail is lengthy and has a lot of rocky terrain. Good footwear is recommended.
• No pets are allowed on this trail.
• Bring plenty of water as the outdoor weather in this area gets very dry and hot, which can lead to dehydration.

The best part is that all of the trails are very different from each other so you can explore a range of different areas in the park.

Whether you’re looking for a casual stroll or a long full-day hike, Death Valley National Park offers a trail for everyone. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the hot weather!

You will see some incredible wildlife, exotic plants, and stunning views as you explore the different hiking trails in Death Valley National Park.