Golden Canyon Photos
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Golden Canyon
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Spectacular scenery. Numerous fun photo ops. Rated by Hiking Guy as "best of Death Valley" hike. Throughout the hike you can spot the salt flats in the distance. Some of Star Wars scenes were shot here, including when R2-D2 was zapped by the Jawas. There are restrooms at both trailheads. Dry terrain. Stay stocked in drinks and food. Better go close to winter, but layer up. Summers there can exceed 130°F. We hiked about 8 mi (almost 4 hr).
This review is for the hiking loop including Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, & Badlands, which is about 6.5 mile long, or 7 miles if you would get lost like me! The trailhead for Golden Canyon is where there's a parking lot, which got filled up quickly even when I arrived at 8am. There's no cell service so I could not checkin on Yelp. It's quite tough to be on Internet in Dead Valley. Most visitors started hiking toward Golden Canyon. I liked to hike toward the sun so I headed toward Gower Gulch. The mountains and the gulch are incredibly beautiful. Hiking along Badlands trail was very tough for me as I have serious fear of height. Working hard to over come my fear, I moved quickly and hiked along a very narrow and steep paths, without looking down to the bottom of the canyon. The Golden Canyon trail is gradually downhill through a rocky corridor of towering golden walls. Follow the signs at each major intersection. The badlands after leaving Gower Gulch are simply beautiful colorful and breathtaking. You can see Zabriskie Point as you are heading into BadlanGetting into Gower Gulch, prepare to climb through a few narrowing uphill rock ledgers. Be careful! Don't get scratched like I did. Follow the trails carefully and try not to get lost like me. It seemed endless in the canyons! Don't start to hike in the canyon late. Put your phone away. Don't slip! It's a bit tough but would help if I had hiking poles! Enjoy!
There's nothing wrong with this hike. I do feel however that hiking on the other side of this canyon (starting at Zabriskie Point and hiking the Badlands Loop) has more interesting things to see. You can also access this Golden Canyon from that trail. This hike is basically walking up a dirt path and at times a dry river bed. It's all uphill. Not the most family-friendly of hikes and you'll see plenty of families with small kids turn around before they reach the end. Parking - You'll see the crowded parking lot a mile away. The lot itself has relatively few spaces so be prepared to park across the street alongside the road. Bathroom - One stinky pit toilet. Long slow line..
Well folks, they don't call it Golden Canyon for nothin'! These golden hills are beaming with beauty! Wowza... still in shock from this amazing hike. Definitely one of my all time favorite National Park hikes right up there with Yosemite and Bryce Canyon. The scenery here is just unbelievable! This was my FAVORITE stop while visiting Death Valley National Park, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Did a five mile loop hike from Golden Canyon to Gower Gulch, and I was in awe the entire time. When I first began the hike, it didn't look like much. It had that narrow, slot canyonish feel in the beginning. And then all of a sudden, it just opens up to this massive canyon that literally looks like it's painted in soft gold. I took the detour up to Red Cathedral and it was so gorgeous! The red rocks were beautiful, and the views from the top of them were even more stunning. It will add about a mile to your loop if you're going to Gower Gulch, but it's so worth it. Oh yeah, and by the way... this is definitely on the harder side of moderate. Lots of incline in the hot ass sun in the beginning and completely unshaded, but the rest breaks are so rewarding because you are constantly taking in the views. I absolutely would NOT attempt this in the summer. I came mid winter and it was perfect. The high was 75 but it felt a bit warmer because it was completely exposed. Make sure to lather up on the sunscreen and bring plenty of water. My favorite part of this hike was right in the middle of the Golden Canyon trail. It's right before the trail becomes narrow. I looked back and couldn't believe my eyes. 360 degree views of pure goldness. It was wildly satisfying to see. When the trail narrows, it gets a bit steep and slightly scary. If you have a fear of heights, this part of the trail is not for you. Honestly, most of the trail is pretty high up, but this particular section is gnarly. I didn't have my hiking sticks with me, but I would have pulled them out for this part. Once you make it to the top of the canyon, you'll start descending down until you reach a trail split. From here, you can actually hike up to Zabriskie Point, or you can loop back by taking the Gower Gulch trail. Gower Gulch has a few nice views, but it's not as exciting as The Golden Canyon trail. If you're planning on hiking this loop, I would also strongly recommend some sturdy hiking shoes, preferably with ankle support. Some parts are slippery and the Gower Gulch trail has lots of rocky sections. Overall, this was such a stunning hike! I would definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone who's up for a challenge with rewarding views.
If I would have had more time in Death Valley, I would have spend part of it at Golden Canyon. The beautiful rock formation wasn't on my list, I just saw it on the way to Badwater Basin and decided to stop by on the way back. It has a small parking lot and a restroom (kinda smelly) and the rocks are gorgeous in the sunlight. You can do various hikes from here, so I wish I could hiked more, everything sounded so inviting and cool to conquer. You can hike to Zabriskie Point (that's be fun!), Gower Gulch, Red Cathedral. Maybe some other time! The rocks are golden, have a different color that other formations within the park. They shot "Star Wars" here for the fans, a bit. They do the tours sometimes (don't think during Covid). A great place to start a cool, safe hike (there are loops mostly) or just to stop, admire the scenery and take some cool pics. So worth it!
One of the better--though highly travelled--hikes in DVNP. Golden Canyon also has the distinction of being one of the only hikes in the park with more than one entry point. At the top, one can park at Zebreskie Point and walk downhill, or at the other end, hikers enter off Badwater Rd. Like several other canyon hikes in Death Valley, Golden Canyon is a relatively flat-bottom wash of gravel, sand, and a few boulders flanked in either side by steep walls. Golden Canyon has the distinction of also featuring several side gullies that can be explored... just don't get lost in the maze of mudstone, and find your way back to the main path to proceed. There are also a few spots where the remnants of a paved road that ran the length of the canyon 40+ years ago can be found. For you Star Wars fans, this is the film location from A New Hope where R2D2 gets caught by the Jawas. Hoo Teedee!!!! Maybe one of the better family hikes in the park, with relative ease and safety. The stark desert landscape has a beauty all its own. Late afternoon or early morning are probably best for shadows, photography, and weather. Or if you're really brave, check this place out at night... Always bring extra water and a few snacks.
At Golden Canyon parking lot, we hiked Lower Gulch, a cool canyon, up to Badlands and out Golden Canyon. The Badlands (just beyond Golden Canyon) dry dirt packed hills looked painted by an artist--extraordinary colors (gold, red, tan, green, purple, yellow, brown, orange and cream) all mixed together with a deep jet blue sky on top. A sight to behold! And the best part is the single track dusty trails meandered though the painted hills with incredible 360 degree vistas. Sometimes the trail is a little steep but only for a short bit. Overall, it is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles and elevation gain of 650 feet. Yes moderate hike with stellar views beyond your imagination!
We hiked this trail today. Perfect to go during winter. The trailhead is at the parking lot along Badwater Road. Here, you can hike into the canyon as far as you want and then turn around and head back to your vehicle. For the more motivated hiker like us, we made a complete loop hike up Golden Canyon, across Manly Beacon, skirt by Zabriskie Point, head down Gower Gulch and then back to the Golden Canyon parking lot. It is about 7 miles and took a little less than 3 hours. Something interesting is where they shot the first Star Wars. The hike is moderate. The landscapes are breathtaking. The sides of the canyon are made up of red mudstone and colorful mosaic conglomerates. Make sure you take plenty of water, have sunscreen and hat.
Loved hiking through the golden canyon loop and the Gower Gulch loop. It took us about half a day with several stops to click pics as everywhere we looked there was a bful contrasting landscape that called out to us. We chose to do this early in the morning and I think that time of the day between 7-11 is a recommend as you will hardly see many people on the trail. It is not a difficult trail but make sure to carry water even if its in the morning and Jan(we were in Death valley to celebrate the New year and hiked on the very first day of 2016) when the weather is ideal. I have shared a few pics here as I truly believe my words can never do justice to the beauty of this trail!
Golden Canyon is a must-stop location in Death Valley. The location allows for a diversity of photos. The rock formations contrast a lot on their own, and with the lighting, the landscape photography here is versatile. There's a number of trails that you can take through the canyon. Do research online to see if there are any trails that may be closed due to maintenance. I recommend taking the Gower Gulch loop, as it allows you a round-trip through the canyon back to the parking lot. The trails are well-marked, so it's hard to get lost. On the Gower Gulch loop, there is a small part that has a steep incline, but isn't impossible. The trails are well-maintained. (Remember to do your part and keep the canyon as is!) The color palette of the canyon is similar to one another, but the few variations makes this location beautiful. Bring lots of water and protein bars .. enjoy! :)
Golden Canyon is an awesome place to get out, stretch your legs, and take a several mile hike up through the canyon to the mountain-side and possibly up it. The canyon winds up to the mountain through a long gradual incline through stunning scenery and cavernous canyon walls. You can leave the main path on several side ones or continue up to the mountain overlook that has great views over the valley. This is my favorite walk in the valley.
This is a great hike for variety of Geological features. Go all the way to Cathedral Rock if you are able. Nearly all of the trail is through a wash area of the canyon with a very wide, easy grade. Just after the junction with Gower Gulch, the trail to Cathedral rock become narrower and has some rock scrambling. At the end there is a trail to the right which is a short steep climb up to an excellent viewpoint of the valley. read more
We drove past Golden Canyon on the way to Artist's Palette and stopped for some quick photos. I'm certain the hike would have been fun, but we decided to spend more time at other viewpoints. Death Valley National Park is one of those places where there are no bad views--they're everywhere you look, and it's easily one of my favorite places I've had the chance to visit. read more
This review is for Gower Gulch Loop Trail which was a ~4.1 miles round trip that took ~2 hours to complete. Starting the loop counterclockwise; you end up walking on the outside of the canyons for a duration before entering the canyons. There were a few rock scrambling involved. The canyon floors were extremely rocky and sandy. Furthermore, there were a few steep inclines and declines in the vicinity of the Manly Beacon. Like many other canyon hikes, this trail was stunning from beginning to end! You could extend this trail by including the Badlands Loop. Restrooms are available at the parking lot. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/dUY0bcxV0og read more
Spectacular scenery. Numerous fun photo ops. Rated by Hiking Guy as "best of Death Valley" hike. Throughout the hike you can spot the salt flats in the distance. Some of Star Wars scenes were shot here, including when R2-D2 was zapped by the Jawas. There are restrooms at both trailheads. Dry terrain. Stay stocked in drinks and food. Better go close to winter, but layer up. Summers there can exceed 130°F. We hiked about 8 mi (almost 4 hr). read more
1 year ago
This review is for the hiking loop including Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, & Badlands, which is about 6.5 mile long, or 7 miles if you would get lost like me! The trailhead for Golden Canyon is where there's a parking lot, which got filled up quickly even when I arrived at 8am. There's no cell service so I could not checkin on Yelp. It's quite tough to be on Internet in Dead Valley. Most visitors started hiking toward Golden Canyon. I liked to hike toward the sun so I headed toward Gower Gulch. The mountains and the gulch are incredibly beautiful. Hiking along Badlands trail was very tough for me as I have serious fear of height. Working hard to over come my fear, I moved quickly and hiked along a very narrow and steep paths, without looking down to the bottom of the canyon. The Golden Canyon trail is gradually downhill through a rocky corridor of towering golden walls. Follow the signs at each major intersection. The badlands after leaving Gower Gulch are simply beautiful colorful and breathtaking. You can see Zabriskie Point as you are heading into BadlanGetting into Gower Gulch, prepare to climb through a few narrowing uphill rock ledgers. Be careful! Don't get scratched like I did. Follow the trails carefully and try not to get lost like me. It seemed endless in the canyons! Don't start to hike in the canyon late. Put your phone away. Don't slip! It's a bit tough but would help if I had hiking poles! Enjoy! read more
There's nothing wrong with this hike. I do feel however that hiking on the other side of this canyon (starting at Zabriskie Point and hiking the Badlands Loop) has more interesting things to see. You can also access this Golden Canyon from that trail. This hike is basically walking up a dirt path and at times a dry river bed. It's all uphill. Not the most family-friendly of hikes and you'll see plenty of families with small kids turn around before they reach the end. Parking - You'll see the crowded parking lot a mile away. The lot itself has relatively few spaces so be prepared to park across the street alongside the road. Bathroom - One stinky pit toilet. Long slow line.. read more
Well folks, they don't call it Golden Canyon for nothin'! These golden hills are beaming with beauty! Wowza... still in shock from this amazing hike. Definitely one of my all time favorite National Park hikes right up there with Yosemite and Bryce Canyon. The scenery here is just unbelievable! This was my FAVORITE stop while visiting Death Valley National Park, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Did a five mile loop hike from Golden Canyon to Gower Gulch, and I was in awe the entire time. When I first began the hike, it didn't look like much. It had that narrow, slot canyonish feel in the beginning. And then all of a sudden, it just opens up to this massive canyon that literally looks like it's painted in soft gold. I took the detour up to Red Cathedral and it was so gorgeous! The red rocks were beautiful, and the views from the top of them were even more stunning. It will add about a mile to your loop if you're going to Gower Gulch, but it's so worth it. Oh yeah, and by the way... this is definitely on the harder side of moderate. Lots of incline in the hot ass sun in the beginning and completely unshaded, but the rest breaks are so rewarding because you are constantly taking in the views. I absolutely would NOT attempt this in the summer. I came mid winter and it was perfect. The high was 75 but it felt a bit warmer because it was completely exposed. Make sure to lather up on the sunscreen and bring plenty of water. My favorite part of this hike was right in the middle of the Golden Canyon trail. It's right before the trail becomes narrow. I looked back and couldn't believe my eyes. 360 degree views of pure goldness. It was wildly satisfying to see. When the trail narrows, it gets a bit steep and slightly scary. If you have a fear of heights, this part of the trail is not for you. Honestly, most of the trail is pretty high up, but this particular section is gnarly. I didn't have my hiking sticks with me, but I would have pulled them out for this part. Once you make it to the top of the canyon, you'll start descending down until you reach a trail split. From here, you can actually hike up to Zabriskie Point, or you can loop back by taking the Gower Gulch trail. Gower Gulch has a few nice views, but it's not as exciting as The Golden Canyon trail. If you're planning on hiking this loop, I would also strongly recommend some sturdy hiking shoes, preferably with ankle support. Some parts are slippery and the Gower Gulch trail has lots of rocky sections. Overall, this was such a stunning hike! I would definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone who's up for a challenge with rewarding views. read more
If I would have had more time in Death Valley, I would have spend part of it at Golden Canyon. The beautiful rock formation wasn't on my list, I just saw it on the way to Badwater Basin and decided to stop by on the way back. It has a small parking lot and a restroom (kinda smelly) and the rocks are gorgeous in the sunlight. You can do various hikes from here, so I wish I could hiked more, everything sounded so inviting and cool to conquer. You can hike to Zabriskie Point (that's be fun!), Gower Gulch, Red Cathedral. Maybe some other time! The rocks are golden, have a different color that other formations within the park. They shot "Star Wars" here for the fans, a bit. They do the tours sometimes (don't think during Covid). A great place to start a cool, safe hike (there are loops mostly) or just to stop, admire the scenery and take some cool pics. So worth it! read more
One of the better--though highly travelled--hikes in DVNP. Golden Canyon also has the distinction of being one of the only hikes in the park with more than one entry point. At the top, one can park at Zebreskie Point and walk downhill, or at the other end, hikers enter off Badwater Rd. Like several other canyon hikes in Death Valley, Golden Canyon is a relatively flat-bottom wash of gravel, sand, and a few boulders flanked in either side by steep walls. Golden Canyon has the distinction of also featuring several side gullies that can be explored... just don't get lost in the maze of mudstone, and find your way back to the main path to proceed. There are also a few spots where the remnants of a paved road that ran the length of the canyon 40+ years ago can be found. For you Star Wars fans, this is the film location from A New Hope where R2D2 gets caught by the Jawas. Hoo Teedee!!!! Maybe one of the better family hikes in the park, with relative ease and safety. The stark desert landscape has a beauty all its own. Late afternoon or early morning are probably best for shadows, photography, and weather. Or if you're really brave, check this place out at night... Always bring extra water and a few snacks. read more
At Golden Canyon parking lot, we hiked Lower Gulch, a cool canyon, up to Badlands and out Golden Canyon. The Badlands (just beyond Golden Canyon) dry dirt packed hills looked painted by an artist--extraordinary colors (gold, red, tan, green, purple, yellow, brown, orange and cream) all mixed together with a deep jet blue sky on top. A sight to behold! And the best part is the single track dusty trails meandered though the painted hills with incredible 360 degree vistas. Sometimes the trail is a little steep but only for a short bit. Overall, it is a moderate hike of 4.5 miles and elevation gain of 650 feet. Yes moderate hike with stellar views beyond your imagination! read more
We hiked this trail today. Perfect to go during winter. The trailhead is at the parking lot along Badwater Road. Here, you can hike into the canyon as far as you want and then turn around and head back to your vehicle. For the more motivated hiker like us, we made a complete loop hike up Golden Canyon, across Manly Beacon, skirt by Zabriskie Point, head down Gower Gulch and then back to the Golden Canyon parking lot. It is about 7 miles and took a little less than 3 hours. Something interesting is where they shot the first Star Wars. The hike is moderate. The landscapes are breathtaking. The sides of the canyon are made up of red mudstone and colorful mosaic conglomerates. Make sure you take plenty of water, have sunscreen and hat. read more
Loved hiking through the golden canyon loop and the Gower Gulch loop. It took us about half a day with several stops to click pics as everywhere we looked there was a bful contrasting landscape that called out to us. We chose to do this early in the morning and I think that time of the day between 7-11 is a recommend as you will hardly see many people on the trail. It is not a difficult trail but make sure to carry water even if its in the morning and Jan(we were in Death valley to celebrate the New year and hiked on the very first day of 2016) when the weather is ideal. I have shared a few pics here as I truly believe my words can never do justice to the beauty of this trail! read more
11 years ago
Golden Canyon is a must-stop location in Death Valley. The location allows for a diversity of photos. The rock formations contrast a lot on their own, and with the lighting, the landscape photography here is versatile. There's a number of trails that you can take through the canyon. Do research online to see if there are any trails that may be closed due to maintenance. I recommend taking the Gower Gulch loop, as it allows you a round-trip through the canyon back to the parking lot. The trails are well-marked, so it's hard to get lost. On the Gower Gulch loop, there is a small part that has a steep incline, but isn't impossible. The trails are well-maintained. (Remember to do your part and keep the canyon as is!) The color palette of the canyon is similar to one another, but the few variations makes this location beautiful. Bring lots of water and protein bars .. enjoy! :) read more
Golden Canyon is an awesome place to get out, stretch your legs, and take a several mile hike up through the canyon to the mountain-side and possibly up it. The canyon winds up to the mountain through a long gradual incline through stunning scenery and cavernous canyon walls. You can leave the main path on several side ones or continue up to the mountain overlook that has great views over the valley. This is my favorite walk in the valley. read more
10 years ago
Golden canyon trail is one of the best trails i have ever had. You will get gorgeous views. I will definitely try it again! read more
10 years ago
More info about Golden Canyon
Badwater Rd
Death Valley
Death Valley Junction, CA 92328
Directions
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
Golden Canyon Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Golden Canyon
Review Highlights - Golden Canyon
Golden Canyon - active - Updated May 2026
Best of Death Valley Junction
People found Golden Canyon by searching for…
Browse Articles
People who viewed Golden Canyon also viewed
Artist Drive
31 reviews
Natural Bridge Canyon
7 reviews
Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail
10 reviews
Keane Wonder Mine Trail
1 review
Aguereberry Point Death Valley Natl Park
5 reviews
Titus Canyon Road
6 reviews
Telescope Peak
2 reviews
Fall Canyon
3 reviews
Father Crowley Vista Point
11 reviews
Charcoal Kilns
5 reviews