It was Day 2 of our Death Valley Spring Break road trip. After leaving Las Vegas that morning, we drove to Death Valley National Park. On our first stop we explored the beautiful Dante’s View where we spent about an hour in a half taking in the scenery. Then, we headed to Zabriskie Point. After admiring the beautiful and colorfully banded badlands, we set off on Badlands Loop Trail. After a peaceful afternoon hike, Buddy and I are sharing 5 Easy Tips for Badlands Loop Hike in Death Valley.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. No worries, this is at no additional cost to you! We only recommend products that we have used ourselves. All opinions expressed here are our own. All photos are our own and remain the copyright of MPA Project Travels.
About Badlands Loop Trail
Badlands Loop Trail is a 2.7-mile loop trail rated moderate by the National Park Service. There is a slight elevation gain of 535 foot and the trail takes an average of 1.5-2 hours to complete. The trailhead is located at the popular and scenic Zabriskie Point. There is ample parking at the trailhead for cars, RVs, and other large vehicles. We found plenty of available parking spaces when we visited on a Thursday afternoon in March. And if you need facilities, there are vault toilets at the Zabriskie Point parking lot and trailhead.
Badlands Loop Trail is takes you through an ancient lakebed filled with colorful bands of rocks. The trail intersects with two other trails in the area, the 3 mile out-and-back Golden Canyon Trail and the 4.3-mile loop Gower Gulch Trail. All three trails can be combined to hike what the National Park Service the Complete Circuit trail. The Complete Circuit is a 7.8-mile loop trail rated as strenuous. Taking an average of 4.5 hours to complete, the hike has a a slight 850 ft elevation gain.
Given that we were short on time, we did not do the longer Complete Circuit and chose to hike the Badlands Loop Trail. The trail was quiet and tranquil as there were only a few other hikers out and about at the time we visited. It was nice to experience the quiet of Death Valley in long moments of solitude during this hike. We hiked Badlands Loop Trail on a Thursday afternoon in March. Beginning our hike at 4:30pm in the afternoon. It took us 1.25 hours to complete the trail stopping to enjoy the scenery and film a Movement Postcard. We hiked the trail clockwise and had a small climb near the end. It was a lovely hike!
5 Easy Tips for Badlands Loop Hike in Death Valley
1. Bring an offline map!
It is highly unlikely that your cell phone will work in Death Valley. If you usually use your cell phone or GPS to navigate a hike, it is important to plan accordingly as most likely your phone will not work.
For this reason, our #1 tip: bring a paper map or download trail maps to your phone.
Paper maps
The free Death Valley National Park Visitor Guide has detailed map of Badlands Loop trail. Pick you your paper copy of Death Valley Visitor Guide at the Visitor’s Center or at one of the park’s pay stations. In addition to Badlands Loop trail, the guide has maps of the Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, and Mosaic Canyon Trails. The trail maps inside the Visitor Guide are simple, accurate, and helpful.
Downloaded maps
However, if you are not able to get a Visitor Guide prior to your hike, another great option is to download hiking trail maps on to your phone. Alltrails and the National Park Service have apps that offer the option of downloading trail maps and other trail information to your phone. However, if you chose to use your phone as a map, make sure you bring a power bank to keep your phone charged over the course of the hike!
When we arrived at the information and pay station on Highway 190 located just east the road to Dante’s View, there were no available Visitor Guides. That means that we began our Badlands Loop hike in Death Valley without a paper map. On a side note, I like paper maps because I prefer something tangible when I am navigating.
I was not worried, however, because I spent the evening before in the hotel in Las Vegas downloading offline maps of Death Valley on Google Maps. However, after a mile or so, the trail became unclear (more on that later!). I pulled up my downloaded Google Maps and lo and behold, Badlands Loop Trail is not on Death Valley’s Google Map! Luckily, I also downloaded an offline version of the park in the National Park Service app and was able to access the trail map that way. After some second guessing, we found our way forward on the trail!
2. The trail markers are far apart
If you are hiking Badlands Loop Trail, do not be surprised if a lot of hiking goes by before you see a small trial sign. According to the National Park Service website, small trail signs are located at each major intersection on the Badlands Loop Hike in Death Valley. If hiking clockwise on Badlands Loop Trail, the first trail sign is 0.8 miles into the hike! If you don’t see a trail marker for a while, no worries! Chances are you are on the right path. Keep on walking until you come to a trail sign.
As we wandered through and between the rocks for nearly a mile without a trial sign or another hiker in sight, we wondered if we were lost. I pulled out the map on the National Park Service app and it said we were on the right track. We kept on walking and sure enough, we found the Badlands Loop trail sign.
3. Do not hike in the heat
All around Zabriskie Point, including in the restrooms, you will find warnings about the dangers of hiking in the heat. There are signs informing hikers that rescue helicopters cannot take off in extreme heat. Dehydration and heat related illness is real and can be fatal. Heed the warning signs and do not hike in Death Valley in the heat!
The best time to visit Death Valley is during the fall, winter, or spring months, before the heat kicks in. Visiting Death Valley during cooler months means that it is less likely that you will experience high heat during your hikes.
If you must visit during the summer months, please follow the precautions that you will find posted throughout the national park. It is recommended to hike before 10am during the hot months. And carry plenty of water. Please do not hike in extremely hot temperatures. It is very dangerous and can be fatal. If you think it might be too hot to hike, it is better to be safe and avoid hiking all together. Do not underestimate the heat!
Temperature in Death Valley
The heat begins early in Death Valley. In April, the average temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Then desert heats up averaging in the 100s Fahrenheit/40s Celsius and above from May through September. October remains hot with the average temperature 93 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, visiting Death Valley National Park between November through March for cooler temperatures is your best bet.
We did the Badlands Loop hike in Death Valley in mid-March when the afternoon temperature was in the mid-80s. This was a perfect temperature for us desert dwellers as we are used to warmer temperatures. But, depending on where you live, a mid-80s afternoon hike might be too warm. In that case, an early morning hike might be best.
4. Ups and downs
Although not as steep as other hikes in Death Valley such as Ubehebe Crater Rim Trail, there are some hills to climb on Badlands Loop Trail. Watch your step as it can be steep in some areas. And prepare to climb up and down a few hills at the beginning of the hike if going counterclockwise, or at the end, if going clockwise.
5. What to bring
Prepare for little to no shade on the Badlands Loop Hike in Death Valley. Because of the lack of shade, you will want to protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, a hat, or a light long sleeve coverup. Even during the cooler winter months, the sun is intense in Death Valley and sun protection is a must.
Also remember to bring a full water bottle that can be refilled as you journey around Death Valley. Also remember sturdy shoes, first aid kit, a whistle like this one that also has a compass and thermometer, hand sanitizer, and a pocketknife.
Buddy’s Tips
- Bring lots of water.
- You might get lost. To stay on track, you should look for metal arrows.
Hiking Badlands Loop Trail in Death Valley is a beautiful experience. The vibrant colors of the badlands combine with the views of a snowcapped Telescope Peak mountain in the distance are extraordinary. The quite tranquility of trail led to a beautiful experience where we could really feel the essence of Death Valley.
Have you hiked Badlands Loop Trail in Death Valley National Park? If so, what was your favorite part of the hike? Let us know in the comments below.
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences! We look forward to connecting with you.
Planning a trip to Death Valley? Check out our series about the national park!
- Five Things To See in Death Valley in One Day
- Traveling to Dante’s View in Death Valley? Here’s Everything You Need To Know!
- Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Racetrack Playa in Death Valley
- An Easy Guide to Hiking Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley
- 5 Easy Tips for Badlands Loop Hike in Death Valley
- 6 Tips for Hiking the Unique Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley
- Everything You Need To Know for a Fun Time at Death Valley’s Teakettle Junction
Pin this post for later!
It looks otherworldly here! I really need to get back out this way and explore/hike more. It looks so epic!
The Badlands is such a cool place to explore! There are some fun hiking trails!
Yes, Death Valley is truly beautiful!
Great tips for visiting death valley! Bringing an offline map is definitely a great idea.
Downloading maps is essential in many of the parks. Thanks for emphasizing this and giving instructions on how to do it,
I was there on a hot summer day. Great advice to do this hike before the heat of the day. I did a rather short walk (perhaps less than 1/2 mile) and i went through most of the water I brought.
It’s super important to know you won’t have service on the trail! So smart to download offline. i’d probably get lost and I never pack enough water so I’d really be in trouble haha. Looks like a beautiful hike though
Great tips! Downloading a nap is definitely a tip tip!
Badlands Loop Hike sounds incredible – thanks for sharing these practical tips!