How to hike Mosaic Canyon Death Valley National Park
Given Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth, most people don’t consider hiking here. But that’s not to say there aren’t some seriously cool hikes! With hiking routes around Ubehebe Crater, near Zabriskie Point (Gower Gulch or Golden Canyon), or even up Telescope Peak, there’s plenty of variety.
If you’re looking for a fun and easy hike, that doesn’t require too much effort and feels relatively void of crowds, then look no further than the Mosaic Canyon Death Valley!
I first visited the Mosaic Canyon Trail purely because of its proximity to the Mesquite Sand Dunes across the road. Its easily accessible location is certainly a draw, but it was the area’s unique geology that kept me entertained. The clear and obvious evidence of the canyon’s past, in the form of marbled and conglomerate rock with mosaic breccia, make it a really interesting walk!
In this blog, I’ll let you know what to expect when hiking Mosaic Canyon Death Valley, how to get there, and plenty of other tips!
About Mosaic Canyon
Mosaic Canyon features intricate geological formations shaped by millions of years of erosion. The canyon’s walls, predominantly composed of metamorphic marble formed from limestone, exhibit a mosaic-like pattern due to their polished surface. These marble walls bear witness to the forces of nature, including flash floods and sedimentary deposition, which have sculpted the landscape over time.
As visitors explore the canyon, they can observe conglomerates, breccias, and layers of sedimentary rock, providing insights into the area’s geological history.
Where is Mosaic Canyon?
The Mosaic Canyon Trail is located in Death Valley National Park, California.
The canyon is situated by Stovepipe Wells near the west entrance to the National Park. Raised on a hill, it overlooks the Mesquite Sand Dunes on the other side of the road.
How to get to Mosaic Canyon?
Since there is no public transport, the best way to get to Mosaic Canyon is by road. It’s accessible by car via a short unpaved track. From the Visitor Center (+ most camping locations) in Furnace Creek, it’s around a 35-minute drive.
To access the trailhead, head south on the short gravel track (Mosaic Canyon Road). Continue along this road for approximately 2.5 miles (4km) until you reach the parking lot. The car park has space for around 30 vehicles.
It is possible to drive this trail without a 4×4. Our trusty Nissan Kicks got us up there, and I even saw an Audi saloon car parked up there! I wouldn’t recommend overly large RVs as they may struggle on the uphill track and will take up lots of space in the car park.
- Furnace Creek Visitor Centre to Mosaic Canyon: 35 minutes (27 miles)
- Las Vegas to Mosaic Canyon: 2.5 hours (150 miles)
- Los Angeles to Mosaic Canyon: 4.5 hours (250 miles)
- San Francisco to Mosaic Canyon: 8 hours (500 miles)
Mosaic Canyon Hike
Trailhead: Mosaic Canyon Road
Walk type: Out and back
Distance: 5.6km
Maximum Elevation: 585m (feet)
Minimum Elevation: 285m ( feet)
Walk time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Mosaic breccia, Shade
Permit Required: No
Entrance Fee: None
Dogs Permitted: No
Mosaic Canyon Hiking Route
The Mosaic Canyon trail is 5.6 km long, however you can turn back at any point to make it shorter.
What to expect at Mosaic Canyon Death Valley
Arriving at Mosaic Canyon Death Valley
Arriving at Mosaic Canyon is as easy as the single-lane dirt track that leads up there. The sign is easily missed if you’re not looking for it, but Google Maps directions are accurate so you know when to turn off.
The car park is a reasonable size and has no ‘official’ parking bays, which means it doesn’t usually fill up. It’s a dirt car park, but 2WD is fine! Plus parking is free!
NOTE: There are no toilets at the trailhead. The nearest ones are in the General Store and Restaurant in the Stovepipe Wells Village.
The Mosaic Canyon trailhead is marked by a sign with details of the hike.
Hiking Mosaic Canyon Death Valley
From the parking lot, proceed southbound beyond the signpost and up the rocky wash, towards the canyon. Once you reach the canyon, you can only go in one direction, making it easy to follow.
The terrain throughout the whole hike varies between this rocky wash which has good grip, as well as sections of larger rock which can be slippery underfoot.
The trail follows a gradual incline as the slot canyon gradually gets narrower. This first section is where much of the mosaic breccia, which the hike is renowned for, is found.
At approximately 0.4km, you will reach the first narrows. This is the narrowest section of the slot canyon.
Whilst there are usually other people on the trail, the bends give you a sense of isolation.
The marble walls, smoothed by flash floods, surround you.
The trail widens again. You can either continue on the wide section or explore the ridge to the right. The ridge is more adventurous and runs directly alongside the main trail, though not for the faint-hearted!
After approximately 2km, you will reach several fallen boulders blocking the path. This is a natural end to the hike, and we decided to turn back here.
However, beyond the blockage, there are two further narrows if you wish to navigate the rockfall and walk the last 1.2km. This final section of the walk is where you will find more scrambling and adventure.
Heading back
With this being an out-and-back hike, you can turn around and head back whenever you want. Which is great, you can make the hike as long as you want it to be!
Follow the trail back the way you came. You’d be surprised, it offers a different perspective on the way down, I only recognised a few landmark sections!
Once again, be careful of any slippery rocks underfoot on the way down again.
Tips for Hiking the Mosaic Canyon Trail
- Go to the toilet before you leave: There aren’t toilets at Mosaic Canyon. The nearest ones are at the General Store and Restaurant in the Stovepipe Wells Village (2.5 miles away). I recommend going before turning onto Mosaic Canyon Road on your way in.
- Be careful of slippery rocks: Even without rain, the rocks here can be very slick, making it easy to lose your footing.
- Download offline maps: There is no signal across most of Death Valley, so download the hiking route in advance so you don’t get lost.
- Leave no trace: Make sure our nature remains pristine for everyone to enjoy!
- Pack light: You don’t need much for this hike. Make the most of it by packing only the essentials.
What to bring to Mosaic Canyon Death Valley
Since it’s a short hike, you shouldn’t need to pack much for Mosaic Canyon. And what you do bring predominantly depends on what time of day and year you are visiting.
Ultimately, you should wear weather-appropriate clothing, that you are comfortable walking in. Normally this means a T-shirt and shorts, coupled with a hat and sunglasses. Perhaps walking trousers and a fleece if it’s cooler. You can check the weather for Mosaic Canyon (Stovepipe Wells) here.
In terms of footwear, I recommend walking shoes or walking boots to deal with slippery rocks. However, you can get away with wearing sports trainers since the majority of the walk is over smaller, more grippy rock.
You will often be sheltered from the wind, however many times of the day leave the canyon in shadow.
You should also pack water, snacks, suncream and a camera.
When to visit Mosaic Canyon Death Valley?
Best time of day to visit Mosaic Canyon
You can visit Mosaic Canyon all day, all year round. However, the best time to hike the canyon is when it’s cooler. Try to avoid the heat of the day by visiting in the morning or near the end of the day.
Sunrise and sunset are popular options (particularly during summer months), however, I suggest mid-morning or mid-afternoon because you will get more sunlight in the canyon but still have the shade available. This also keeps your prime sunset hours available to explore other spots like the Mesquite Sand Dunes.
Mosaic Canyon provides shelter making it a great option for windy days since most other spots in Death Valley can be pretty exposed!
Best time of year to visit Mosaic Canyon
Since Death Valley is dry almost throughout the year, your visit will mainly be dictated by the temperature (and your personal availability).
During the summer months (May-September), temperatures in Death Valley easily average more than 30°C and peak at nearer 50°C. This makes hiking Mosaic Canyon tough going.
The best time of year to visit Mosaic Canyon is early Spring (February-April) when temperatures are warm but still bearable. This will give you the largest opportunity to explore the canyon and the surrounding areas.
The winter months are also bearable and another good option. Nights are colder and there’s a slightly increased chance of rainstorms, which could lead to (rare) flash floods in the canyon.
What to do near Mosaic Canyon Death Valley
The nearest attraction to Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley is the Mesquite Sand Dunes. Since they are quite literally across the main road from the canyon, you can’t not see them!
Once you’ve checked out the dunes, there are still plenty more things to see in Death Valley:
- Grotto Canyon
- Ubehebe Crater
- Zabriskie Point
- Artist’s Palette
- Badwater Basin
Check out my complete Death Valley National Park itinerary for more ideas!
Where to stay in Death Valley National Park?
Death Valley is the largest National Park in mainland USA (i.e. excluding Alaska). This makes it time-consuming to stay outside the National Park and drive to visit Mosaic Canyon and all the other amazing sights!
Campgrounds in Death Valley
Thankfully there are several campgrounds within the National Park. Some of which you can book in advance, but most where you arrive on the day to find a pitch, and then pay via an automated machine.
Most campgrounds are seasonal, meaning they only open during peak season (winter season), running from 15th October until 15th April.
| Campground | Open | Reservation | Sites | RV Hook-up? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace Creek Campground | All year | Yes (Winter) FCFS (Summer) | 136 | Available | $22 Standard $36 Hook-up |
| Texas Springs Campground | Seasonal | First come first serve | 92 | No | $16 |
| Sunset Campground | Seasonal | First come first serve | 230 | No | $14 Standard $7 Senior/Access |
| Stovepipe Wells Campground | Seasonal | First come first serve | 190 | No | $14 Standard $7 Senior/Access |
| Emigrant Campground (tent only) | All year | First come first serve | 10 | No | Free |
| Wildrose Campground | All year | First come first serve | 23 | No | Free |
| Mesquite Spring Campground | All year | First come first serve | 40 | No | $14 Standard $7 Senior/Access |
Besides these National Park Service campgrounds, there are also privately operated campgrounds that accept reservations, primitive campgrounds that are quieter but may need 4x4s to access, as well as backcountry camping options along appropriate dirt roads (permits may be required).
NOTE: Wherever you end up in Death Valley, be prepared for hard ground!
Non-camping Options in Death Valley
If you’re not a camper or RV-er, you can stay in Furnace Creek where there’s a handful of accommodation options offering more facilities. As you may expect, these options are more expensive.
- Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
- The Inn at Death Valley
- The Ranch at Death Valley
- Panamint Springs Resort
Before you go
Thank you for reading my travel guide on hiking Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy hiking!
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