Location: Directly west of Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park

Difficulty: Moderate. Starts easy then drops into rocky wash. If you are the first vehicle in after a heavy rain, you may have to blaze your own trail and condictions could be difficult. The most challenging section is at the end of the Cottonwood Canyon. Do not drive this trail if rain is forecast.

Features: Surface water at the end of Cottonwood Canyon. Gigantic cave along Cottonwood Canyon. Great hike at the end of Marble Canyon features many different marbleized rock formations. Street legal vehicles only.

Time & Distance: Allow 5 to 6 hours to explore both canyons and return to start. Cottonwood Canyon is 19.5 miles from Hwy 190 and takes about 2 hours one-way. Marble Canyon is 2.7 miles and takes about 1/2 hour one-way from Cottonwood Canyon.

To Get There: Take Hwy 190 to Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park. Head north on paved road that enters large campground west of gas station and general store.

Trail Description: Stay left of campground entrance. Bear right of air strip at 0.4 miles onto sandy road. Road is deeply graded through soft sand. Gradually the road narrows and gets rockier as it turns north and drops into wide wash after parking area at 8.5 miles. Stay left at 10.8 miles where Marble Canyon goes right. Faded signpost is hard to see. Stay right at 12.5 to avoid wilderness. Cave on left at 15.9 miles. Bear left in main wash at 16.2 and 18.1 miles. At 17.5 miles, the canyon narrows and gradually gets tougher. Trail ends at 19.5 miles but you can hike farther following small stream. Return to Marble Canyon entrance and turn left. Reset Odometer. Bear left at 0.2 miles. The park no longer allows vehicles past hte 2.7 mile point. Hike another 1.1 miles to see outstanding marbleized rock formations.

Services: Gas, food, restrooms, lodging and camping in Stovepipe Wells.

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