Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop Backpacking Guide – Death Valley NP

The 26-mile Cottonwood Marble Canyon loop traverses through some of Death Valley’s most stunning scenery. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Still very much a backpacking frontier, Death Valley National Park, at 3.4 million acres, is the largest national park in the Lower 48. Popular with desert-loving backpackers, this long and challenging hike is one of the few loop trails in Death Valley National Park. The route is undeniably beautiful, though a bit tricky to follow at times. To create this loop, the “trail” follows dirt roads and washes (not an actual trail) through three different canyons, winding through dramatic narrow passages, traveling over steep ridges, and trekking across classic desert landscapes. With few signs to guide backcountry travelers, hikers must be prepared with topo maps and GPS. Many side canyons beckon, but stay on the main route to avoid getting lost in a maze.

Entering the craggy maze of the Cottonwood marble canyon loop. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Quick Facts

Distance: Varies, between 26.3 and 31.8, depending on route
Days Needed: 2-4 days
Elevation Gain/Loss: 4,032 feet (1,229 meters)
Peak Elevation: 4,955 feet (1,510 meters)
Best Time to Travel: Winter (or late fall, early spring)
Permits: Permits are now required for this loop. They’re $10, no quota limits, and must be reserved online.
Difficulty: Moderate (overall)

Life in the desert is harsh, and WHile it might not look like it, so much survives in this landscape. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Highlights

Solitude
Beautiful and fun to navigate narrow canyons
Lovely wildflowers in spring
Relatively low volume of hikers
Crystal clear air
Possible wildlife sightings: kit fox, bighorn sheep, roadrunners, mohave fringed lizard, desert cottontail, badger, coyote, bobcats, ringtail cats, bats and gophers.
Scorpions found in the park are not poisonous
Wild horses and burros wandering about

Lowlights

Very hot and windy in summer
Sun exposure – little shade along most of the route
Few reliable water sources – plan very carefully
Sketchy trail at times (deep, loose sand, gravel, washouts), few signs
Scorpions, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders live here
Flash floods in the fall can be very dangerous
Decent amount of elevation gain along a mostly unmarked route

You get to trek through three different canyons on this backpacking loop. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Best Time to Travel

Winter (mid-October through mid-March) is the best time to hike in Death Valley. It also offers the most dramatic photography, with long shadows and more vibrant colors. We recommend avoiding hiking in the summer, as the temperature can get dangerously high with little opportunity for shade. Even driving here in summer is a sketchy proposition. Stay on paved roads and carry lots of extra water. If your car breaks down, stay with it until help comes (don’t try to walk out). There’s limited phone coverage.

Spring brings road flooding, runoff, and roaring creeks. Always check Death Valley’s Current Conditions page before heading out. And absolutely avoid this loop if there’s any chance of flash flooding.

Some mandatory rock scrambles along this route. We recommend passing backpacks to have better balance while scrambling. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Difficulty

We rate this hike as moderate to strenuous. Much of the hike involves walking on dirt roads, gravel washes, and cross-country brushy areas, as well as through deep sand or gravel. It also requires navigating narrow canyons and open deserts (topo map, compass, and phone GPS app strongly recommended). This trail is quite navigable for the confident and experienced hiker, but beginners and anyone unfamiliar with desert hiking should skip this one or go with experienced hikers.

As always, difficulty ratings depend on your experience, physical fitness, pack weight, and weather conditions. Plan accordingly, train properly, know your limitations, brush up on your skills with our tutorials, and dial in your gear. Doing so will make for a safe and enjoyable adventure.

The Timbisha Shoshone inhabited this region for centuries before the arrival of white colonists. They hunted and followed the seasonal migrations to harvest pinyon pine nuts and mesquite beans with their families. To the Timbisha Shoshone, the land offered everything they needed, and many areas were, and continue to be, treated as sacred. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Permits

Unlike most national parks, Death Valley does not have an entry gate. National Park fees are paid at the ranger stations or any of the self-pay facilities around the park.

Individual (on foot or bicycle) – $15 (good for 7 days)
Motorcycle – $25 (good for 7 days)
Automobile with up to 4 people – $30 (good for 7 days)
Death Valley Annual Pass – $55
Annual Pass for all National Parks– $80

Backcountry Camping Permits

Permits are required for the Cottonwood Marble Canyon loop and can only be reserved online. They become available six months before the scheduled departure date. You will need to complete the permit application at recreation.gov.

Online same-day permits are available through recreation.gov until 11:59 p.m. on the day of departure. In-person permits will no longer be available, but visitors can get assistance acquiring permits from park staff at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center (open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily) or at the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station (open intermittently).

Be prepared to navigate this loop without marked blAZES or signage. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Trailhead

While there is no specific “trailhead” when you first set out, most backpackers begin the route at the intersection of Cottonwood Canyon Rd. and Marble Canyon Rd. The road is rough and may require a 4WD high clearance vehicle for the final 2 miles to the trailhead. If your vehicle cannot handle the final two miles, you’ll have to hike the additional two miles in and out.

We hiked through many gravel “washes” or dry watercourses that carry water during heavy seasonal rain or rain events. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Route Description

Most people hike the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop in a clockwise direction, hiking along Cottonwood Canyon Road for the first 8 miles. After this dirt road stretch, the route narrows from road to trail and passes through a canyon before reaching a grove of cottonwood trees. This is the location of one of three seasonal springs along this route, but it should not be relied upon (4 miles up the trail is more reliable water at Cottonwood Springs). This may be a good place to get water in fall, winter, and spring and to set up camp.

Hiking toward Cottonwood Spring, the trail gets rougher and makes its way up an easy slope to a steep canyon before entering an oasis of cottonwood trees. This is another good place to camp and the best water source along the entire loop. From here, it’s 6 miles to Deadhorse Canyon, much of it across desertscape. Dig out the map and compass (or better yet, GPS) because while there may be signs (like footprints) that will point in the right direction, it’s tricky here.

Continue trekking up the valley with the mountains on your right. Head up the steep gully ahead to a low saddle that provides entry into Deadhorse Canyon. This is another confusing spot. To enter Deadhorse Canyon, drop into the next vegetated canyon and hike a short way (less than a city block) into it. Then, head uphill to a saddle to the north for a big view over Deadhorse Canyon and a large cottonwood tree in the valley below. From the saddle, turn left (not right, like the NP GPX track says) and head steeply downhill to the water drainage area. From here, you can turn right and head down the drainage much more easily than the steep descent down the headwall to Deadhorse Canyon.

Shortly after reaching the large cottonwood tree at the bottom of the canyon, you’ll come across a tricky section of the trail with a 6-8 foot drop. Navigating this section without your pack may be easier, so take it off and have a hiking partner hand it down to you. There are some foot and hand holds in the rock that makes it easier to get down, so take your time and be safe.

Marble Canyon, known for its beautiful distinctive narrows and soaring walls (akin to places in Utah), can also be debris-choked after storms and dangerous during them. Flash flooding is a potential danger, particularly in the spring and early fall. For many, Marble Canyon is considered the best part of the loop, with easy grades, beautiful narrow canyons, and options to avoid the sand and gravel that dominate the area by staying on hard-pack terra firma along the way.

Marble Canyon presents only one moderate challenge: a boulder blocks (dry pour-off) the canyon exit, and a climb of the west ridge is required to get around it. Make your way through these canyons until you reach Marble Canyon Road. The final stretch through a wash to the end/start at the junction of Marble Canyon and Cottonwood Springs Road.

Sometimes, the only indications you are on the right track are tire tracks or footprints. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Getting there

From Barstow, California

Get on I-15 S from E Mountain View Street and Barstow Road and follow CA-58 W and US-395 N to Trona Rd for 59.5 miles. Turn right onto Trona Rd and follow it for 21.2 miles. Follow Trona Wildrose Rd and CA-190 E for 87.3 miles. Turn left onto Cottonwood Canyon Rd and drive 4.3 miles to Stovepipe Wells Campground.

From the Stovepipe Wells Campground

Drive west on Cottonwood Canyon Road. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended to reach the start of this loop. If you’re in a 4WD vehicle, you can go about two more miles to knock off part of the rough washboard road that must otherwise be hiked for the next 8 miles.

Contrary to its name, the 1.9 inches of annual rainfall is enough to sustain diverse life in the desert. Hardy rabbit brush, sage, and mesquite are some of the rugged plants that call this desert home. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

GPS Files

It’s highly recommended that you use a GPS device on this route, as it can be tricky to navigate at times, and getting lost would be disastrous. We use GPS phone apps like Gaia GPS and Topo Maps+ and they work great.

GPS Files From the National Park – (Full Trip):
GPX (98 KB download)
KML format (78 KB download)
We used this GPX track, and it worked great. The following downloads are optional and unnecessary if you use the full trip download.

NOTE: There’s one section on this GPX track that isn’t quite right. From the saddle overlooking Deadhorse Canyon (you can see one large cottonwood tree in the canyon below from the top), turn left (not right) from this saddle and head down to the water runoff drainage. From that point, you can turn right and head downhill much easier than the route the GPX track would take you on.
Separated Road and Trek KML Tracks:
Cottonwood Marble Road ( 6 KB download)
Cottonwood Canyon Road (16 KB download)
Marble Canyon Road (2 KB download)
Cross Country Trek (39 KB download)
GPS Waypoints (less than 2 KB download each): Cottonwood/Marble parking for 2WD vehicles, Chokestone obstacle, Deadhorse saddle traverse, Cottonwood Canyon camping area, Cottonwood Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon End Road, Cottonwood/Marble Canyon Road intersection, Cottonwood Saddle, Lemoigne Turnoff, Cottonwood Valley, Cottonwood/Marble Camp, Cottonwood Canyon Spring, Cottonwood Springs Camping, Cottonwood Springs, Deadhorse Canyon Camping, Deadhorse Canyon Dryfall, Deadhorse Spring, Dry Spring on Pass, end Marble Canyon Road, Lemoigne Canyon turnoff, Lower Marble Canyon Narrows, Marble & Deadhorse Canyon intersection, Middle Marble Canyon Narrows, rocky outcropping Cottonwood Canyon, saddle looking down Deadhorse, Upper Marble Canyon Narrows.

With plenty of sun exposure, The 4000 feet of elevation gain and loss in this loop is no joke. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Campsites

There are no designated campsites along this route, but you will surely see signs of previous camps. The best campsites are around Cottonwood Springs and Deadhorse Canyon, with seasonal water flow and ample shade from the old-growth cottonwoods that thrive in the area. But you can also camp in the desertscape/playa between Cottonwood Springs and Deadhorse Canyon, as well as at the Marble Canyon entry point (trailhead).

Some of us cowboy camped, and others preferred tent protection from the desert critters. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Possible Itineraries

Two Day Itinerary

Trailhead Start/Finish: Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Junction (google map)

Day 1 – Hike clockwise to Cottonwood Springs (about 12 miles)
Day 2 – Get an early start for a long day continuing clockwise back to your starting trailhead through Marble Canyon (about 14.3 miles)

Note – You could also reverse this route and start with the longer day. Additionally, you could make this a great 3-day itinerary by stopping short of your car by a few miles and camping another night around the Marble Canyon trailhead.

Three Day Itinerary

Trailhead Start/Finish: Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Junction (google map)

Day 1 – Hike up Cottonwood Canyon to camp near Cottonwood Canyon Road end campsite near a seasonal spring. (8.5 miles)
Day 2 – Hike from Cottonwood Canyon to seasonal Deadhorse Springs. (9.5 miles)
Day 3 – Hike from Deadhorse Springs back to start. (8.3 miles)

Four Day Itinerary

Trailhead Start/Finish: Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Junction (google maps)

Day 1 – Hike up Cottonwood Canyon to the seasonal spring near the end of Cottonwood Road. (8.5 miles)
Day 2 – Hike to Cottonwood Springs (3.5 miles)
Day 3 – Hike from Cottonwood Springs to seasonal Deadhorse Springs (6 miles)
Day 4 – Hike from Deadhorse Springs through Marble Canyon and back to your car (8.3 miles)

Pay attention to the cottonwoods; They will let you know where water is/was. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Maps & Guidebooks

Below is a list of guidebooks and maps we’ve found helpful in planning our trips in Death Valley. In addition to planning with these resources, we recommend calling or visiting the ranger station in Death Valley to get any updates on current conditions.

Hiking Death Valley National Park: A Guide to the Park’s Greatest Hiking Adventures – This book includes detailed information about 57 best day hikes and extended backpacking trips in Death Valley. It includes GPS coordinates for the trailheads, mile-by-mile directional cues, rich narratives, and beautiful photographs.
Death Valley National Park Recreation Map – Tom Harrison Maps are famous for their beauty and accuracy. This map includes color-coded symbols and trails, mileages between trail junctions, latitude/longitude, UTM grids, contour lines, vegetation, and elevations at trail junctions.
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map – Death Valley National Park – This map features all of Death Valley’s marked trails, including mileages between intersections. It also includes a list of backcountry roads and trails complete with descriptions, lengths, and starting points. The map base includes contour lines and elevations for summits. Hot weather tips, a temperature chart, regulations, and safety suggestions are also included.
Hiking Death Valley: A Guide to its Natural Wonders and Mining Past – This book offers in-depth descriptions of each region of the park, meticulous maps, mileage tables, and some of the most useful trip descriptions found in any hiking guide.

keep your eye out for ancient rock art and petroglyphs along the route. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Regulations

Be sure to brush up on the regulations for Death Valley National Park. Rules change so please consult the official website before your trip. Frequent road closures can impact this loop. Below is a snapshot of important regulations to follow.

No campfires are allowed.
Being in an area posted as being closed for restoration, wilderness restoration, or rehabilitation is prohibited.
Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing any archaeological or cultural resource is prohibited. This includes all mine structures, features, and ruins (e.g., standing mill structures, aerial tram towers, terminals, and cables, ore bins, ore chutes, buildings, walls, gates, fencing, etc.).
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing a structure or its furnishing or fixtures or other cultural or archeological resources is prohibited. This includes all mine structures, features, and ruins (i.e., standing mill structures; aerial tram towers, terminals, and cables; ore bins; ore chutes; buildings; walls, gates, fencing, etc.
In non-designated campgrounds, group size is limited to 12 persons and no more than 4 vehicles, and/or 8 pack animals, and/or 4 vehicles. Groups larger than 12 must split up into smaller groups and must camp, hike, and eat at least a half-mile apart. Larger groups may request an exception to these limits from the superintendent under the terms of a special use permit.

We loved the diverse sample of rock formations along this route. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Water

Due to its arid environment, backpacking in Death Valley can be more challenging than in many other places. There are three seasonally reliable water sources along this route, with flows that vary depending on the time of year. Of the three sources, Cottonwood Springs is the most reliable. All water sources here should be filtered or treated because giardia is present in this area. We highly recommend calling the Death Valley visitor center (760-786-3200) to ask about current water source conditions before your trip.

All hikers are different, but you should generally carry at least 4 liters of water per person per day. On very hot days, you may want to drink 5-6 liters, but again, everyone’s different. We highly recommend bringing a trusty water bladder or two to carry water between sources.

For purification, we used a combination of Chlorine Dioxide pills and a Sawyer Squeeze on this loop, and we were happy with our choices. Check out our Best Water Filters list for more great options.

Seasonal Springs along this loop (clockwise):

Cottonwood Road’s end – 8.5 miles in
Cottonwood Springs – 12 miles in (the most reliable source)
Deadhorse Springs – 1/4 mile north of the large cottonwood tree at the bottom of Deadhorse Canyon (if you hit the 6-8 food dryfall you’ve gone too far) – 18 miles in

desert oasis at Cottonwood Springs. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Gear List

Check out some of our current favorite gear below. If you want to see additional options, our curated gear guides are the result of extensive research and hands-on testing from our team of outdoor experts.

BACKPACK

Best Backpacking Pack Overall: REI Flash 55 – Men’s / REI Flash 55 – Women’s
Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
More: Check out our best backpacking backpacks guide for ultralight and trekking options

TENT

Best Backpacking Tent Overall: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Best Ultralight Tent: Zpacks Duplex
Best Budget Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+
Best Tent Stakes Overall: All One Tech Aluminum Stakes
More: Check out our best backpacking tents guide for more options

SLEEPING BAG/QUILT

Best Sleeping Bag Overall: Men’s Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 / Women’s Feathered Friends Egret YF 20
Best Quilt Overall: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20
More: Check out our best backpacking sleeping bags guide and best backpacking quilts guide for more options

SLEEPING PAD

Best Sleeping Pad Overall: NEMO Tensor All-Season
Best Foam Sleeping Pad: NEMO Switchback
More: Check out our best backpacking sleeping pads guide for ultralight and trekking options

CAMP KITCHEN

Best Backpacking Stove Overall: MSR PocketRocket 2
Best Backpacking Cookware Overall: TOAKS Titanium 750ml
Best Backpacking Coffee Overall: Starbucks VIA
More: Check out our best backpacking stoves guide and best backpacking cookware guide for ultralight and large group options