Mosaic Canyon
Death Valley National Park, CA
A narrow canyon of polished marble and breccia near Stovepipe Wells. A two-mile gravel road leads to the trailhead, and the best narrows are in the first half-mile of walking.
Mosaic Canyon near Stovepipe Wells is known for its smoothly polished walls of Noonday Dolomite marble, burnished by flash floods carrying gravel. There is also the Mosaic Canyon Breccia, a rock made of angular fragments naturally cemented together. The first narrows begin within the first 0.25 mile (400 m); after about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) a boulder jam ends the hike for many, and the route ends at a dryfall about 25 feet (7.6 m) high.
The 2.3-mile (3.7 km) gravel road starts in Stovepipe Wells across from the campground and is usually passable in a standard car; buses and large RVs are not recommended. The hike is 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. If you are short on time, stay within the first section with the narrows. The smooth rock is slippery, so take care and bring enough water.
- Nearest town
- Death Valley National Park, CA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.5720, -117.1440
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, May, September and December. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Stovepipe Wells RV ParkMotorhome stopover2 mi from Mosaic Canyon · 14 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Stovepipe Wells CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Mosaic CanyonTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Furnace Creek CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Mosaic Canyon · 136 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Fiddlers' CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Mosaic CanyonTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Sunset CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Mosaic Canyon · 230 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Texas Springs CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Mosaic Canyon · 92 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposal
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mosaic Canyon?
Mosaic Canyon is in Death Valley National Park, CA, at GPS 36.5720, -117.1440. It is about 2 mi from Stovepipe Wells.
Can you camp near Mosaic Canyon?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Stovepipe Wells RV Park, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 7 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Mosaic Canyon?
Mosaic Canyon is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Death Valley in depth: Dante’s View to Ubehebe Crater.
What is there to see near Mosaic Canyon?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (3 mi), Golden Canyon (20 mi), Zabriskie Point (21 mi) and Artists Palette (24 mi).
When is the best time to visit Mosaic Canyon?
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, May, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)