RT Salt Creek

Seasonal desert stream supporting rare pupfish and other wildlife along a short interpretive boardwalk trail.

General Information

Length:

1.5 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain:

~30 feet

Difficulty

Easy

Hours:

Open daily, 24 hours a day
Hiking not advised after 10am in summer due to extreme heat
Currently closed due to flood damage; check website for updates

Fees:

Private Vehicle (7-day pass): $30
Motorcycle (7-day pass): $25
Individual (on foot or bicycle, 7-day pass): $15
Annual Death Valley Pass: $55
America the Beautiful Pass: $80

Pet Policy:

Pets are not permitted on the boardwalk or trail
May be walked in nearby parking areas and roads if leashed (max 6 feet)

Closest cities with hotels:

Furnace Creek (13 mi)
Beatty, NV (~45 min)
Pahrump, NV (~1.5 hrs)

Seasons:

Winter and early Spring: Ideal for viewing pupfish and flowing water
Summer: Dry creek bed and extreme heat; not recommended

Location:

Salt Creek, Death Valley National Park, CA

Website:

nps.gov/places/salt-creek.htm

How to Get There

From Furnace Creek (13 mi): Drive west on CA-190 for approximately 13 miles, then turn right onto Salt Creek Road and follow the gravel path to the parking area.

Overview

The Salt Creek Interpretive Trail offers a rare glimpse into the delicate ecosystem of Death Valley, where water flows seasonally through a saline streambed. This short boardwalk trail winds through a fragile desert habitat that supports the endangered Salt Creek Pupfish, a species found nowhere else on Earth. During cooler months, visitors can observe these tiny fish darting through the shallows, alongside birds and macroinvertebrates that thrive in the salty waters. Interpretive signs along the trail provide insights into the geology, biology, and history of the area.

Salt Creek is a testament to survival in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Fed by underground springs and seasonal rain, the creek becomes a lifeline for wildlife during winter and spring. The boardwalk, which is ADA-accessible, allows visitors to explore without disturbing the sensitive habitat. Though the area was severely damaged by flooding in 2022, restoration efforts are underway. When open, Salt Creek remains a must-visit destination for nature lovers and photographers seeking the quiet beauty of desert life.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Death Valley National Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.