It looks like marble from a distance. To see all our video’s visit our Youtube Channel. Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County: The Complete Guide! 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. Mosaic Canyon narrows and widens several times throughout the hike so the views are always changing. 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. Located 1/4 mile west of Stovepipe Wells Village, the 2-mile gravel access road climbs 1000 ft. to the parking area. 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! 11 Epic California Road Trips for Your Golden State Itinerary! Planning to hike Mosaic Canyon Trail on your visit to Death Valley National Park? The trail is best hiked during the cooler months of the year, between late October and early April. Walled with both mosaic conglomerates and smooth marbleized rocks, Mosaic Canyon is a fine specimen the geology of Death Valley National Park. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Mosaic Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail, 4 miles round trip. 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. One short and easy walk is to the lower end of Mosaic Canyon, on the west side of Death Valley close to Stovepipe Wells. 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. The dirt road is about 2.3 miles long and is generally passable in a sedan. You could do it faster, but you will want to take your time to appreciate the beauty of the canyon. The hike is fairly easy but the scenery is incredible. Comfortable long pants will keep your knees and legs protected as you scramble over rocks. You will still experience the beauty of the canyon and see the marble and mosaic features that makes this hike a must-do! If you plan to walk just up to the first set of narrows, allow about one to 1.5 hours. You need to carry plenty of drinking water when hiking in the desert, even if you plan to hike in the shade. Hi! 18 Marvelous Things to Do in Morro Bay, California! Mosaic Canyon: Imagine Antelope Canyon, but made of smooth, polished marble. 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. In places the canyon gets narrow which makes for a fun hike. Numerous floods have polished the marble walls and multicolored rock formations. Death Valley, California | The Hottest Place on Earth. 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. How to Visit Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes: The Ultimate Guide. 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. Mosaic Canyon Walking into Mosaic Canyon is like walking into a museum. The short trail will take you through the narrow canyon with high polished walls. The sea deposited layers of sediment embedded with fossils of marine life. The canyon is located near Stove Pipe Wells and is a “must see” for for first time visitors. 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. The canyon is located near Stove Pipe Wells and is a “must see” for for first time visitors. 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. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The hike is fairly easy but the scenery is incredible. Summary: A popular and fairly pretty canyon with interesting geology located across from Stovepipe Wells Village. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Mosaic Canyon is one of the most scenic and beautiful sights in Death Valley national Park. You return to the parking lot the way you came. From the parking area, you will see the entrance into the canyon. California Desert Road Trip: An Epic Adventure for the Cooler Months! As we walked through the canyon, we noticed that millions of years of flood waters have made the rock smooth. Walk the path up the slope to pick up the trail past the dryfall. Mosaic Canyon is in the northern part of Death Valley National Park. 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. 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 marble (and mosaic) were carved by flash floods rushing through the narrow canyon again and again over millions of years. When we visited, other hikers had left stone arrows pointing to the opening. Pin it for later! It is a showcase of geologic features as well as a beautiful example of one of Death Valley’s many canyons. Hike to Rainbow Falls in Mammoth Lakes, California. 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. Over time, the sediments compressed into limestone and a related calcium-magnesium carbonate called dolomite. In places the canyon gets narrow which makes for a fun hike. There is just enough rock scrambling and navigating through obstacles to keep things interesting. 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. Did you enjoy this article? Plus, you will encounter fewer people on the trail at those times. We suggest allowing about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the full round trip. Read on to discover what to expect, plus things to know before you go! 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. Panamint Dunes:7 mi (11.3km) Little Bridge Canyon:7 mi (11.2km) Corkscrew Peak: … Eons ago, during the Paleozoic Era, a vast sea covered the area. Earn free nights & get our Price Guarantee - booking has never been easier on Hotels.com! Mosaic Canyon is a fun hike to do in Death Valley. The trail is mainly dirt and sand but rocky in parts. Please check the websites of destinations you plan to visit beforehand if you decide to travel. Three hours will allow you to walk the canyon at leisure and take photos of the marble and breccia. Mosaic Canyon Trail General Description. 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. Dhara loves to explore her home state of California. Here and there you will also see outcroppings of the mosaic breccia after which the canyon is named: angular pieces of different types and colors of rock cemented into larger parent rocks. Mosaic Canyon is one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Death Valley. Death Valley; Mosaic Canyon Current page Mosaic Canyon; California may have travel restrictions in place, including self-quarantine, due to COVID-19. After a bit you will come to the second set of narrows, where a dryfall blocks your way. Mosaic Canyon: Beautiful hike - See 493 traveler reviews, 385 candid photos, and great deals for Death Valley National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. If you enjoy photography, you will find the light much less harsh early and late in the day. 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. Don’t fancy the rock climbing and scrambling in the second half of the trail? The marble is so smooth and finished that you’ll find it hard to believe they are the work of nature alone! 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. With her husband Kishore, she has done numerous road trips in the state in every season. Difficult Hikes. Mosaic Canyon - Death Valley National Park. This trail is more about the journey than the destination, so keep your eyes open and enjoy the beauty as you walk. Palms to Pines Scenic Byway: A Fun Short Southern California Road Trip! From the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon, it is just a short walk into Lower Mosaic Canyon. 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. 17 Magical Things to Do in Mendocino, California! 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. She hopes to share her love of the Golden State with you, and help you find your own exciting experiences here. 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!) Even if it isn’t meal time, it’s fun to munch on a snack after a hike! 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 … You can access it from the California side. The gravel parking lot is a good size but might still get full during the day in season. Mosaic Canyon is located a quarter mile west of Stovepipe Wells Village. 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. Mosaic Canyon. Marble Canyon Trail travels up the canyon bottom past all the interesting features for an outing of 1 to 4 miles round trip. Death Valley, California. The Mosaic Canyon trail in Death Valley National Park is a popular hike up a narrow, … Mosaic Canyon Trail is classified as moderate to difficult. We went in the early afternoon, and I was not happy with how most of our photos turned out. Mosaic Canyon's polished marble walls are carved from the Noonday Dolomite and other Precambrian carbonate rocks. 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. 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. Find out more Opens in new tab or window Dismiss close travel advisory. 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. 12 Amazing Death Valley Hikes (+ Tips for Hiking in Death Valley National Park!). There is a general store at Stovepipe Wells Village, where you can pick up water if you didn’t bring any with you. Mosaic Canyon is one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Death Valley. Places of interest in the Death Valley area are mostly located within Death Valley National Park in eastern California. 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 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. Our website uses cookies. Mosaic Canyon is located in Death Valley. Mosaic Canyon is famous for the smooth marble walls and can be accessed by a 2.5 mi dirt road off Hwy 190. 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. Be warned: the ride is very bumpy. I recommend doing this hike first thing in the morning to beat the large RV camper crowds. An easy 2 mile hike through the canyon narrows for the entire family. We did the trail around 3pm on a Saturday in November. If you get the opportunity to visit Death Valley, we highly recommend hiking Mosaic Canyon. At this time, places may be closed and information is constantly changing. At the end of the dirt road, there is a big parking lot and a 2 mi/3.2 km trail into the canyon. 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. Drive here and leave your car in the parking lot near Lower Mosaic Canyon. Mosaic Canyon is a canyon in the north western mountain face of the valley. You will gain 1,200 feet in elevation over the course of the hike, but the incline is largely gradual. This set of narrows is only about a quarter mile in on foot. Travelers love the area for its array of dining options. 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. 23 Fun Things to Do in Carmel, California. 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. We suggest you consider going regardless, and just walk as far as you are able. 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. 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. Cancel free on most hotels. 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. 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. 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. Added by John Loyola. Also, some links on this page may be affiliate links. You are hiking in the desert, so wear sunscreen and sunglasses, and use SPF lip balm for sun protection. It is one of our favorite hikes in Death Valley National Park! Compare 0 hotels near Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley using real guest reviews. We are Dhara and Kishore. Darwin Falls: Believe it or not, there’s a waterfall located on the western edge of Death Valley! 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. Mosaic Canyon Trail is popular and tends to get crowded during the day. Buses and large RVs are not recommended. You will see the turnoff for Mosaic Canyon Road right opposite Stovepipe Wells Campground in Stovepipe Wells Village. Mosaic Canyon is one of the scenic highlights of Death Valley, and its marbled narrows are navigable for all ages. Mosaic Canyon, and most other canyons in Death Valley, were formed in a unique manner. 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. The trail shows off plenty of colourful slick rock and polished marble as it winds up a narrow, high-walled canyon. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mosaic-canyon-trail You may have to use your hands at some places. Through this blog, we hope to inspire you to roadtrip the beautiful state of California in search of unforgettable travel experiences. We always bring protein bars, fruit, and trail mix on hikes. Death Valley is home to 5 hotels and other accommodations, so you can find something with the amenities you’re looking for. As an AirBnB associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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