The canyon is located near Stove Pipe Wells and is a “must see” for for first time visitors. Buses and large RVs are not recommended. Travelers love the area for its array of dining options. Difficult Hikes. You are hiking in the desert, so wear sunscreen and sunglasses, and use SPF lip balm for sun protection. These rock formation began as limestone deposited during Late Precambrian (about 850-700 million years ago) when the area was covered by a warm sea. Mosaic Canyon is in the northern part of Death Valley National Park. 23 Fun Things to Do in Carmel, California. After a bit you will come to the second set of narrows, where a dryfall blocks your way. If you hike Mosaic Canyon Trail early or late in the day, you will be in the shade for a large part of the hike. Pin it for later! It looks like marble from a distance. 12 Amazing Death Valley Hikes (+ Tips for Hiking in Death Valley National Park!). Hike the Bluff Trail in Montana de Oro State ParkHiking Hidden Valley Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National ParkHike the Barker Dam Nature Trail in Joshua TreeBird Island Trail in Point Lobos State ReserveThe Best Hiking Trails in Point Lobos State ParkMoonstone Beach Boardwalk in Cambria, California. Dhara loves to explore her home state of California. In places the canyon gets narrow which makes for a fun hike. As an AirBnB associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The hike is fairly easy but the scenery is incredible. The subtle striations and streaks in the rock, the beautiful colors and textures, and the alternate narrowing and widening of the canyon make this trail very interesting. Hiking Mosaic Canyon Trail is one of the more popular things to do in Death Valley National Park, and if you hike it during the day in season, you’ll likely run into many other hikers exploring the scenic canyon. Wear pliable closed-toed shoes with a good grip, because you’ll be climbing and scrambling up and down rocks in the second half of the trail, and the rocks can be slick and slippery in places. Mosaic Canyon, near Stovepipe Wells, in Death Valley National Park, is a nice hike, especially if you get curious about some of the side canyons. Hike to Rainbow Falls in Mammoth Lakes, California. She hopes to share her love of the Golden State with you, and help you find your own exciting experiences here. If you plan to walk just up to the first set of narrows, allow about one to 1.5 hours. If you get the opportunity to visit Death Valley, we highly recommend hiking Mosaic Canyon. In places the canyon gets narrow which makes for a fun hike. Mosaic Canyon, and most other canyons in Death Valley, were formed in a unique manner. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I recommend doing this hike first thing in the morning to beat the large RV camper crowds. Mosaic Canyon is located off CA-190 in Death Valley, on the 2.3 mile unpaved Mosaic Canyon Road in Stovepipe Wells Village across from Stovepipe Wells Campground. Located 1/4 mile west of Stovepipe Wells Village, the 2-mile gravel access road climbs 1000 ft. to the parking area. If you retrace your steps a little, you will see a path going up the wall on the west (you may see stone arrows to guide you!) You need to carry plenty of drinking water when hiking in the desert, even if you plan to hike in the shade. An unpaved road called Mosaic Canyon Road leads uphill from the main road through the park (California Highway 190) to the parking lot for Mosaic Canyon. The canyon is shaded in the early hours of the day and later in the day, but if you hike Mosaic Canyon around the middle of the day, wear a sun hat for protection. There is a general store at Stovepipe Wells Village, where you can pick up water if you didn’t bring any with you. Death Valley; Mosaic Canyon Current page Mosaic Canyon; California may have travel restrictions in place, including self-quarantine, due to COVID-19. Death Valley, California. Be warned: the ride is very bumpy. Numerous floods have polished the marble walls and multicolored rock formations. Hi! We suggest you consider going regardless, and just walk as far as you are able. Death Valley is home to 5 hotels and other accommodations, so you can find something with the amenities you’re looking for. The Mosaic Canyon Trail is an amazing hike for both first-time and long-time visitors of Death Valley National Park.. A two mile drive up the gravel road on the western edge of Stovepipe Wells delivers hikers to the Mosaic Canyon Trailhead. Mosaic Canyon Trail – Must-Visit Hike in Death Valley National Park If you have time for literally no other hike in Death Valley, then we’d recommend this one. Also, some links on this page may be affiliate links. It’s popular, but if you can stand the crowds (and we’d hardly call them that), you’ll be treated to some quintessential Death Valley scenery and some pretty awesome geology. The Mosaic Canyon trail in Death Valley National Park is a popular hike up a narrow, … You will see the turnoff for Mosaic Canyon Road right opposite Stovepipe Wells Campground in Stovepipe Wells Village. Eons ago, during the Paleozoic Era, a vast sea covered the area. Mosaic Canyon Trail is popular and tends to get crowded during the day. We did the trail around 3pm on a Saturday in November. After your trek, visit other nearby sights including the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Grotto Canyon. Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley is a gorgeous hike offering up-close looks at the beautiful marble walls of Mosaic Canyon and the mosaics from which it gets its name. popular things to do in Death Valley National Park, Hike the Bluff Trail in Montana de Oro State Park, Hiking Hidden Valley Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park, Hike the Barker Dam Nature Trail in Joshua Tree, Bird Island Trail in Point Lobos State Reserve, The Best Hiking Trails in Point Lobos State Park, Moonstone Beach Boardwalk in Cambria, California. Marble Canyon Trail travels up the canyon bottom past all the interesting features for an outing of 1 to 4 miles round trip. 18 Marvelous Things to Do in Morro Bay, California! Places of interest in the Death Valley area are mostly located within Death Valley National Park in eastern California. It is a showcase of geologic features as well as a beautiful example of one of Death Valley’s many canyons. While the first mile or so is relatively easy, the trail starts to get challenging at the first boulder jam, requiring climbing, and scrambling over rocks for the remainder of the trail. 11 Epic California Road Trips for Your Golden State Itinerary! Mosaic Canyon, Joshua Tree, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point Photo Credit (Starting from Top): Nina Ruud, Julien Cavandol, Nina Ruud Virtual Travel Series: Take Me to Death Valley By: Nina Ruud With most of our country being under lock down from COVID-19, we decided it was time for a Virtual Travel Series! The most beautiful parts of the canyon come up fairly soon after you start the hike: the dramatic narrowing of the walls, the smooth marble of the canyon walls, and the beautiful colors and textures in the breccia. California Desert Road Trip: An Epic Adventure for the Cooler Months! At this time, places may be closed and information is constantly changing. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The trail shows off plenty of colourful slick rock and polished marble as it winds up a narrow, high-walled canyon. Mosaic Canyon - Death Valley National Park. This set of narrows is only about a quarter mile in on foot. While Death Valley is a large place, Mosaic Canyon is located next to one of the few areas of human habitation in the park, Stovepipe Wells. Mosaic Canyon Trail is classified as moderate to difficult. You will still experience the beauty of the canyon and see the marble and mosaic features that makes this hike a must-do! Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley National Park Many popular trails in Death Valley National Park follow side canyons, often quite narrow, and surrounded pretty, multi-colored, layered rocks. Mosaic Canyon: Beautiful hike - See 493 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Death Valley National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. Walk the path up the slope to pick up the trail past the dryfall. Eons of time and countless flash floods have ground and polished its walls into the kind of marble you might covet for your home’s bathroom tile. 17 Magical Things to Do in Mendocino, California! You can access it from the California side. Adventurous hiker’s will love the obstacles this trail provides such as some climbing and crawling over and through rock walls and sliding down polished rock walls. From Stovepipe Wells, it is a quarter mile drive to the turnoff for Mosaic Canyon, which is well-signed on both the East and West sides of the road. For more details, please refer to our, Hiking the Barker Dam Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park, © 2021 It's Not About the Miles Travel Media LLC. Our website uses cookies. Through this blog, we hope to inspire you to roadtrip the beautiful state of California in search of unforgettable travel experiences. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The short trail will take you through the narrow canyon with high polished walls. You could do it faster, but you will want to take your time to appreciate the beauty of the canyon. Mosaic Canyon is one of the most scenic and beautiful sights in Death Valley national Park. The gravel parking lot is a good size but might still get full during the day in season. Please check the websites of destinations you plan to visit beforehand if you decide to travel. Darwin Falls: Believe it or not, there’s a waterfall located on the western edge of Death Valley! The sea deposited layers of sediment embedded with fossils of marine life. Planning to hike Mosaic Canyon Trail on your visit to Death Valley National Park? Mosaic Canyon is a fun hike to do in Death Valley. The marble (and mosaic) were carved by flash floods rushing through the narrow canyon again and again over millions of years. To see all our video’s visit our Youtube Channel. We are Dhara and Kishore. Death Valley, California | The Hottest Place on Earth. Mosaic Canyon Trail General Description. The canyon is located near Stove Pipe Wells and is a “must see” for for first time visitors. Read on to discover what to expect, plus things to know before you go! Once you enter the canyon, in a short time the walls close in on you and you find yourself walking through a beautiful narrow slot lined on both sides by Noonday Dolomite walls honed to a smooth marble finish. If you visit Death Valley National Park in the cooler months of the year and hike the trail in the morning or evening, bring layers, because it can be cool in the shade inside the canyon. You return to the parking lot the way you came. The hike is fairly easy but the scenery is incredible. You may have to use your hands at some places. An easy 2 mile hike through the canyon narrows for the entire family. Don’t fancy the rock climbing and scrambling in the second half of the trail? It is one of our favorite hikes in Death Valley National Park! Mosaic Canyon is famous for the smooth marble walls and can be accessed by a 2.5 mi dirt road off Hwy 190. While the entire Mosaic Canyon hike is four miles total, two miles uphill to a dry waterfall at the end and two miles back, many people just hike in a half mile through the gorgeous, smooth marble canyon narrows and turn … Rated 4.0 /5 based on 2 customer reviews 4.0 2 miles 814 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. The marble is so smooth and finished that you’ll find it hard to believe they are the work of nature alone! Even if it isn’t meal time, it’s fun to munch on a snack after a hike! This trail is more about the journey than the destination, so keep your eyes open and enjoy the beauty as you walk. We went in the early afternoon, and I was not happy with how most of our photos turned out. Mosaic Canyon: Mosaic Canyon: Yet Another Amazing Canyon Walk in DV - See 494 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Death Valley National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. Plus, you will encounter fewer people on the trail at those times. Mosaic Canyon's polished marble walls are carved from the Noonday Dolomite and other Precambrian carbonate rocks. Compare 0 hotels near Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley using real guest reviews. Mosaic Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail, 4 miles round trip. It is one of our favorite hikes in Death Valley National Park ! Mosaic Canyon Walking into Mosaic Canyon is like walking into a museum. If you enjoy photography, you will find the light much less harsh early and late in the day. How to Visit Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes: The Ultimate Guide. One short and easy walk is to the lower end of Mosaic Canyon, on the west side of Death Valley close to Stovepipe Wells. Did you enjoy this article? Mosaic Canyon is a canyon in the north western mountain face of the valley. The trail is best hiked during the cooler months of the year, between late October and early April. Three hours will allow you to walk the canyon at leisure and take photos of the marble and breccia. Mosaic Canyon. About a mile into your walk, you will come to what looks like a boulder jam, but if you hunt, you’ll find a place on the left of the jam to crawl through. Added by John Loyola. As you walk back out of the canyon, you get beautiful views of the canyon walls and out into the valley, so stop to enjoy them and snap photos! Panamint Dunes:7 mi (11.3km) Little Bridge Canyon:7 mi (11.2km) Corkscrew Peak: … Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley is a gorgeous hike offering up-close looks at the beautiful marble walls of Mosaic Canyon and the mosaics from which it gets its name. We always bring protein bars, fruit, and trail mix on hikes. With her husband Kishore, she has done numerous road trips in the state in every season. Mosaic Canyon is one of the scenic highlights of Death Valley, and its marbled narrows are navigable for all ages. If you have problems climbing or scrambling over rocky surfaces, we suggest walking the first mile or so and turning back at the boulder jam. Mosaic Canyon: Imagine Antelope Canyon, but made of smooth, polished marble. The dirt road is about 2.3 miles long and is generally passable in a sedan. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mosaic-canyon-trail Hike Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley. The Mosaic Canyon hiking trail is an impressive out and back hike that starts by walking through a narrow, smooth, marble slot canyon. Rock surfaces may be slick or slippery with loose gravel, so be very careful as you make your way past the first set of narrows. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1b05933c591243f302aaddad5aa0d17" );document.getElementById("ic1e069ab5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mosaic Canyon narrows and widens several times throughout the hike so the views are always changing. You will gain 1,200 feet in elevation over the course of the hike, but the incline is largely gradual. From the parking area, you will see the entrance into the canyon. Next you’ll come to the last narrow passageway, where you will have to scrabble your way over rock surfaces to get to the last tall vertical dryfall in an amphitheater that marks the end of the trail. At the end of the dirt road, there is a big parking lot and a 2 mi/3.2 km trail into the canyon. Cancel free on most hotels. Over time, the sediments compressed into limestone and a related calcium-magnesium carbonate called dolomite. Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County: The Complete Guide! Walled with both mosaic conglomerates and smooth marbleized rocks, Mosaic Canyon is a fine specimen the geology of Death Valley National Park. As we walked through the canyon, we noticed that millions of years of flood waters have made the rock smooth. Comfortable long pants will keep your knees and legs protected as you scramble over rocks. From the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon, it is just a short walk into Lower Mosaic Canyon. The trail is mainly dirt and sand but rocky in parts. Earn free nights & get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! Palms to Pines Scenic Byway: A Fun Short Southern California Road Trip! Summary: A popular and fairly pretty canyon with interesting geology located across from Stovepipe Wells Village. Mosaic Canyon is one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Death Valley. There is just enough rock scrambling and navigating through obstacles to keep things interesting. Death Valley National Park Restaurants; Things to Do in Death Valley National Park; Death Valley National Park Travel Forum; Death Valley National Park Photos; Death Valley National Park Map; Death Valley National Park Travel Guide; All Death Valley National Park Hotels; Death Valley National Park Hotel Deals; By Hotel Type. Mosaic Canyon is located a quarter mile west of Stovepipe Wells Village. Drive here and leave your car in the parking lot near Lower Mosaic Canyon. We suggest allowing about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the full round trip. The canyons of Death Valley National Park are justly famous for their geologic complexity and beauty, and Mosaic Canyon is one of the most beautiful that you can hike on a short trip to the park. When we visited, other hikers had left stone arrows pointing to the opening. Mosaic Canyon is located in Death Valley. 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