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Nevada
0.4 mi
Distance
318 ft
Gain
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Death Valley National Park
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Why you'll love it
Natural Bridge
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Natural Bridge is a stunning geologic formation tucked back in a Death Valley canyon. This is an excellent short hike for families, geology lovers, and those who simply enjoy getting out and exploring. Although there is no official trail, a walk straight up the wash from the parking area will bring hikers directly under the bridge. Different from the smooth sandstone arches found in Utah, Natural Bridge is interesting because it is made of a jagged rocky alluvial deposit (rock, gravel, and sediment washed to the base of an ancient mountain and cemented together). Hikers who continue beyond the bridge up the canyon will encounter more examples of interesting Death Valley geology including dry falls, vertical chutes, and hanging canyons. The bridge rises approximately 35 ft (11 m) above the canyon floor and is about 35 ft (11 m) thick. Although rain is infrequent in Death Valley, over thousands of years, flash flood events have carved the canyon which Natural Bridge spans today. At some point, the water changed course slightly and ran just north of the present location of the bridge (look for this diversion as you hike). This diversion lowered the level of the canyon just above the location of the bridge. Eventually, the water returned to its initial, straighter course, forming a hole under the span of the bridge and eventually lowering the floor of the canyon even more, creating the bridge and leaving it high and exposed. Natural Bridge parking area and trail head is accessed via a dirt road 13.5 miles (22 km) south of CA-190 off Badwater Rd. Although the road is typically well-maintained and accessible by most vehicles, washouts and deep ruts can occur, so check with a ranger for current conditions. HIKING NOT ADVISED AFTER 10AM IN THE SUMMER Round Trip Length: 1 mi (3.2km) Round Trip Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: Easy Elevation Gain: 86 ft (26m) Trail Type: No official trail- out and back route up a canyon Location: Trailhead located at the end of the unpaved Natural Bridge Road, 13.5 miles (22 km) south of CA-190 off Badwater Rd. Check with a ranger about current road conditions. Parking: Open dirt parking area large enough for buses and RVs Closest Restroom: Vault toilet located in parking lot. Do not leave toilet paper in the canyon. Route: The route from the information sign up the canyon to the bridge formation is easy to follow but is very rocky. The canyon continues a short distance beyond the bridge, where it abruptly ends at a dry waterfall. Note: pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Speak with a ranger about one of the incredible dirt roads where you may walk your pet.
Desolation Canyon
~14 min drive
Colorful canyon walls and mud-cracked earth beckon those searching for an off-trail adventure. This spectacular canyon is less frequently explored than other areas of the park, and offers a challenging hike with incredible scenery. Upon entering the canyon, visitors find them…
Golden Canyon
~18 min drive
There's gold in these hills! Of course, the gold isn't in the form of a precious metal, but instead refers to the incredible yellow coloration of the canyon walls. While a peek into the canyon mouth from the parking area will give visitors a glimpse of the canyon's secrets, h…
Telescope Peak
~34 min drive
The views from Telescope Peak are unsurpassed; to the east the swirling salt flats of Death Valley, and to the west the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains. At 11, 049 ft (3368 m), Telescope Peak is the tallest mountain in Death Valley National Park. This dramatic change in elev…
Darwin Falls
~1h 13m drive
Flowing water cascades into a shallow pool surrounded by lush green vegetation. The above description is not one often associated with Death Valley, but the arid Mojave Desert makes an exception at Darwin Falls. Nestled in an unassuming canyon with no water flowing beyond the…
Wildrose Peak
~30 min drive
Piñon pines, peaks, and panoramas in the Panamints! Many hikers choose Wildrose Peak over Telescope Peak, daunted by Telescope’s additional elevation gain and mileage. However, if you are looking for an easier hike, don’t be fooled; Wildrose is quite the challenge! This stren…
