Ubehebe Crater Trail

Route Description for Ubehebe Crater Trail

While walking along the rim of the Ubehebe Crater Trail is an incredible experience, care should be taken when approaching the crater edges. The cliff faces that make up the Ubehebe Crater are incredibly steep in spots, and so an untimely fall here could result in serious injury or worse. Make sure you keep an eye on small children, and don’t venture too close to the edge.

The Ubehebe Crater Trail is a must do simply because of how spectacular the scenery is. Surrounded by the arid environment of Death Valley National Park, the crater is humbling in its scale, and is perhaps one of the most intriguing and unique geological formations within the park. The hike along the Ubehebe Crater Trail is neither long, nor physically strenuous, making the route perfect for families and those seeking a more casual hiking experience.

Having located the trailhead, begin to follow the pathway clockwise around Ubehebe Crater. We recommend doing the Ubehebe Crater Trail in a clockwise direction in order to help limit congestion on this highly trafficked route.

The Ubehebe Crater Trail itself is incredibly straightforward, as it is well marked, and simply follows along the extent of the crater.

The route will simply circumvent the crater before delivering you back to the trailhead.

For those looking for an extra challenge, consider hiking into the base of the crater using the trail found adjacent to the trailhead. Be careful though, the scree slope makes it a physically demanding task to get down, and back up!

Trail Highlights

Ubehebe Crater

The Ubehebe Crater is a truly incredible sight. Regarded as one of the best views within Death Valley National Park, the Ubehebe Crater attracts visitors annually from worldwide. At 600 feet deep and half a mile across, the crater is estimated as being between 6,000 and 10,000 years old.

Known as a Maar Volcano, the Ubehebe Crater was created by hot magma and gases rising beneath the earth's crust. Coming into contact with the water table, the magma and gases created steam, which created an excessive amount of pressure. This pressure was released in the form of a massive explosion, creating the Ubehebe Crater as we know it today.

Insider Hints for Ubehebe Crater Trail

• Death Valley National Park is very hot and dry. Bring lots of water, sunscreen and a good hat!
• Wear good hiking shoes! Your knees, hips and back will thank you.
• Check out the smaller, more charming little Hebe Crater to the immediate south of Ubehebe Crater Trail.