Drive into a Rainbow: Titus Canyon

Get ready to drive through the center of a rainbow.

Titus canyon road winds 27 gorgeous miles through the Death Valley backcountry, twisting sharply around steep rock walls and over small passes. This is an adventure for both you and your vehicle. Consider the dust accumulation on your rear window a badge to wear proudly! Bring a geology guide to help identify the rock layers and natural history of Death Valley; the varied colors and formations are fascinating.

The road is dirt, rough and steep in sections. It is one way the eastern 24 miles, widening into two lanes the last three. It ends near a popular day hike in the narrows. A Two-wheel drive/high clearance vehicle is sufficient to pass the road for most of the year. Watch the weather though; poor road conditions can leave you stranded, and the area isn’t patrolled. Never drive when it looks like rain; the canyon is narrow in parts and prone to flash floods.

Drive slow and stop often. You need at least 2 hours to make it through the road, but it takes a full day to see all that the canyon has to offer. There are endless photo taking opportunities, from hanging gardens and blooming cacti to a ghost town and petroglyphs. Be sure to leave your vehicle to see all of these beautiful attractions.

To get to the vehicle trail, drive north from Furnace Creek on Highway 190. Take a right easterly on the 374 towards Beatty NV. You will exit the national park. Just before you arrive in the town of Beatty, make a left-hand hairpin u-turn onto Titus Canyon Rd. If you miss it, enter Beatty and ask a local. They'll know what you're looking for. The road is unpaved from the beginning but is graded periodically by the park service. Once you are on the double track the real adventure begins.