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Day Trip to the Sand Dunes

To many people, sand dunes are the essence of the desert, but in Death Valley National Park they occur in only a few locations. The dunes near Stovepipe Wells are the easiest to visit and among the most beautiful in the park. This scenic drive will take a half-day to visit, but a full day may be necessary if longer hikes are included.Travel north of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center on Highway 190. In one mile you will come to the historic Harmony Borax Works. During the 1880s, borax “cottonballs” were gathered from the nearby salt flat and processed here before being transported out of Death Valley in the famous twenty mule team wagons. Continuing from the parking area, the improved dirt Mustard Canyon Road loops through yellow badlands to rejoin Highway 190 in one mile.

Salt Creek

Salt Creek. Photo Courtesy of NPS.

Distance … 14 miles from Furnace Ck.
Time ………… 1/2 hour or more
Back on the main road, you will skirt around the flat expanse of Cottonball Basin, past the junction with the Beatty cut-off-road, then arrive at the short dirt road leading to Salt Creek. An easy, half-mile boardwalk trail loops around the home of the rare Salt Creek Pupfish. The tiny fish are usually best seen in the springtime when it is their mating season. Watch for the blue-colored male pupfish actively defending their territories. Interpretive signs along the trail allow a self-guided tour of this unique environment.

Sand Dunes

Devil’s Cornfield. Photo Courtesy of NPS.

Distance….. 22 miles from Furnace Ck.
Time ………… 1/2 hour or more
Highway 190 continues north, passes the road junction to Scotty’s Castle, then swings west across the valley. The highway passes through the Devil’s Cornfield where clumps of arrow weed plants growing on mounds of soil somewhat resemble corn shocks. Wind has swept soil from around the plants, while at the same time depositing sand in the branches, forcing them to grow higher.

Soon the sand dunes come into view north of the road. There are no established trails into the dunes, but trails are not necessary. Park your car where the road seems closest to the tall dunes and walk where you please. A popular goal is the highest dune about 2 miles out. An interpretive sign (51⁄2 miles west of Scotty’s Castle road junction) provides more information on the dunes. Winds laden with sand are slowed by nearby mountains, forcing them to drop their gritty load onto this area. Although the individual dunes are constantly shifting, the dune field as a whole remains in the same general location. The many ripples and sinuous wind patterns in the sand are best seen either early or late in the day.

Mosaic Canyon

Mosaic Canyon by Bob Greenburg.

Distance …. 26 miles from Furnace Ck.
Time ………… one to two hours
The tiny oasis of Stovepipe Wells Village provides a bit of shade as well as fuel, food, lodging, and camping. Just beyond the village is the two-mile-long gravel road climbing up to Mosaic Canyon. Hike up this beautiful canyon a short distance to see the half-mile-long narrows with its smoothly eroded marble walls. You may continue your hike beyond the narrows another 11⁄2 miles to a cliff, which blocks further access up the canyon.
To return to Furnace Creek, follow Highway 190 directly back.