Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop Hike

7.5 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
Can Get Very Busy
1,250 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 705 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral to Zabriskie Point to Gower Gulch loop hike is the 'best of' hike in Death Valley. It offers classic Death Valley geology, epic viewpoints, a dose of history, and enough mileage to make it a proper hike. If you are only doing one hike at Death Valley, this is the route to pick.

In this Guide:

The Best Way to Do the Golden Canyon Loop
Where to Park
Printable Directions & Maps
What You'll See on the Hike

Quick Links:
National Parks Pass - Paper Trail Maps - Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is the Golden Canyon Loop?

The hike starts and ends at the Golden Canyon Trailhead, less than 10 minutes south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Use this trailhead address: Golden Canyon Trailhead, Badwater Rd, Furnace Creek, CA 92328.

Godlen Canyon Parking Lot — There's space for a dozen cars and three campers at the lot. Overflow parking is generally on the shoulder and sides of the lot.

There's a primitive toilet at the lot, but no water. Fill up before you get here.

Gear For the Hike

2L of water is a good amount for when it's cool out. If it's warm, bring 3L to be safe.
The sun can be harsh when it reflects off of the rocks. I find sunglasses help protect my eyes from snow (sand) blindness.
Trail runners or sneakers with fitness clothing work well on these trails.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Heat has killed hikers on the Golden Canyon Trail. People who don't take Death Valley's conditions seriously die every summer. I'd give the hike a pass if the high temperature is above the 80F mark.

Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop Hike Trail Maps

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 3 — These trails are popular and well-marked with trail signage.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Hike Sections

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Golden Canyon Trailhead	0	-120
Red Cathedral	1.5	380
Zabriskie Point	4	705
Gower Gulch to Start	7.5	-120

3D Map

Golden Canyon Hike Map — The hike goes in a clockwise loop, first to Red Cathedral, then back and past Manly Beacon to Zabriskie Point, and then down Gower Gulch to the start.

Hike Route Directions

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 2 — The hike starts at the canyon entrance, found at the far end of the parking lot.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 4 — Hike up the main part of Golden Canyon. Avoid the side canyons.

Are you a Star Wars fan? Golden Canyon is where R2D2 got tased by Jawas in the first Star Wars movie.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 5 — You'll see chunks of pavement from the road that once ran through Golden Canyon.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 6 — As you hike up the canyon you'll start getting views of Red Cathedral in the distance.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 7 — At about 1 mile in you'll reach Red Cathedral Junction. Continue straight up Golden Canyon to visit Red Cathedral. After we see that, we'll return to this junction and continue up the trail to Zabriskie Point.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 8 — When the canyon narrows, take the hole through the rocks; it's easier than the climb above.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 9 — Here we are at Red Cathedral. Enjoy it and then turn around, doubling back to the last junction.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 10 — On the way back you'll get great views of Telescope Peak, the highest point in Death Valley and another great hike.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 11 — You'll also get great views of Manly Beacon, which we'll hike under shortly.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 12 — At Red Cathedral Junction make the left toward Zabriskie Point.

Use the trail markers on this next section to find the correct path. There are dozens of markers between here and Zabriskie Point.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 13 — There's some uphill as you hike toward and then under Manly Beacon.

Manly Beacon is named after William L. Manly, who, in 1849, scouted a path out of this area for trapped pioneers. When they left this area behind, they allegedly looked back and said, "Goodbye, Death Valley" and that's how the area got its name.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 14 — The path past Manly Beacon is fairly epic.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 15 — At about 2.8 miles in you'll reach Badlands Junction. Make the left toward Zabriskie Point Trailhead.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 16 — Follow the trail maker signs through the badlands, eventually climbing up this rise.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 17 — At the top of the rise you'll see Zabriskie Point in the distance.

Chris Zabriskie was a big wig at the Pacific Coast Borax Company, which mined borax throughout this area. Many of the geographic points around here are named after the companies executives.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 18 — When you come to the Gower Gulch overlook, hike down and make the hard left at about 3.3 miles.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 19 — After making the left, hike up the canyon as it winds up toward Zabriskie Point. Avoid any smaller unofficial side trails.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 20 — At the top of the climb, make the hard right and hike up past the parking lot to Zabriskie Point.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 21 — Enjoy the views, which are some of the best in the park.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 22 — Hike back to the junction at Gower Gulch, and follow the gulch downhill.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 23 — Hike down the main path of Gower Gulch, also named after a Pacific Coast Borax Company executive.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 24 — At about 5.2 miles you'll see the junction with the connector trail on the right. Continue straight down Gower Gulch.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 25 — Look up in the hills for old borax mines. You can still buy borax, although today it comes from nearby Boron, CA.

Today most commercial borax comes from the mine in Boron, CA, or from mines in Turkey.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 26 — At about 6.4 miles in you'll emerge back onto Badwater Basin.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 27 — Stay right as the trail winds back toward the north.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 28 — Follow the trail along the flat section that parallels the road.

Golden Canyon And Gower Gulch Loop Hike 29 — And soon you'll arrive back at the parking area. That's it!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.