darwin falls

This is worth the hike to the Falls -- you won't be disappointed. Don't stop at the 2 lower, small pools; you'll be rewarded with a little bit higher climb to the most beautiful one!

First, be aware that the sign for Darwin Falls is about 100 feet down a dirt road off Route 190, and it's so faded that you can't read it till you're almost up to it. We drove miles out of our way looking for this road. If you're coming from the East on 190 and you've gone through the little town of Panamint, it will be your next left on an unmarked dirt road...then you'll see the faded sign. Drive about a half mile or so to a parking area where you'll pick up the walking trial, which is basically a wash. The walk takes you into a small canyon and the falls are at the very end...about a mile and a half walk. Be sure to wear either hiking shoes or sneakers with good soles as there are several large boulders that you'll have to climb and they are smooth like glass, so, slippery even when dry. When you reach the falls it's hard to believe you're in Death Valley because the area is cool, damp and covered with moss and ferns. Worth the trip.

This is not an easy place to find. To begin with, it's not marked on the highway until you actually start down the road leading to the trail head. Once you drive the two miles of washboard road that will rattle your teeth, you'll see the parking area on your right. Do NOT proceed up the hill that is signed for 4x4's only. Be sure and have some drinking water with you and walk through the gate. If you basically follow the white plastic water pipe, you're on the right trail. It's about a mile hike into the falls. Watch where you walk, following the tracks of those who went before and you'll end up at the falls. I hope you brought your camera as this is a beautiful water fall with a small pool at the bottom and VERY photographic. No, I'm NOT attaching a photo of the falls to this review.... you'll have to hike in and take a few for yourself! How unusual this little oasis is especially considering that you're in Death Valley! This is a must see if you're vacationing in Death Valley National Park.

Make sure to visit the Koi Pond! Its a little further up at China Springs. But to get there you will need 4 wheel drive

We hiked to Darwin Falls in the morning to photograph. The hike was fairly easy and the falls were lovely, certainly worth the effort!We saw very few people during our hike which was on a weekday in February. There is not much of a sign indicating the turnoff outside of Panamint Springs and the road is easy to miss.

The drive into the area was the most difficult part of the visit for me. We had a fairly low clearance rental car - a mustang- and I was a little nervous on the unpaved rocky road leading into the parking area. We took it slow, tried to avoid the worst areas and made it in and out. I wouldn't want to have to hike back to the main road though. The roadway past the parking area is 4 wheel drive only. The hike to the falls was not too strenuous depending on your abilities. The first part of the hike is along a dry wash. Flat & easy. As with other area in the National Parks there's evidence of flash flooding and I wouldn't want to be there when that happens. Not so much a marked path... but if you can see the water pipe, which provides water to Panamint, you'll get to the falls and back. You'll need to cross the very small stream once or twice but I didn't even get my shoes wet. A couple places you'll climb up and over some small rocky areas once you get to the stream from the falls. The payoff is well worth it. We went in the morning, in the fall, so temperatures were comfortable. There were a few other people that came and went while we were there but overall we had the place to ourselves. It's amazing that such lush greenery was in the midst of Death Valley. We didn't see any of the wild burros that come and go in the area but there was plenty of evidence that they had recently been in the canyon. Lots of birds and butterflies. We didn't see any of the frogs that are said to live around the stream but It was a beautiful place to visit. An oasis of green in the hottest place in the states.

This is fairly easy to find and best if you have 4WD. The hike is one mile and fairly easy except for some rock scrambling at the end. The waterfall is year round and there was a lot of ice on our NYE hike up to the falls. If you have a good 4WD vehicle. Continue the drive up the canyon to Darwin for a nice 1/2 day trip that will put you back on the 190.

The road to Darwin Falls is not marked, but it is easy to find if you have a map or just stop and ask for directions. It's not a long walk to the falls. It's a nice place place to take a picnic lunch. We stopped at the falls, but it's possible to climb up over the rocks and hike about another 1/2 a mile.

You already know that Panament Springs is a cool place to camp/eat/stay, but Darwin Falls is really close and something you need to do at least once. The hike is easy and there is really a water fall out there in the middle of the desert.

Coolest place I have ever been. We picked the one day in August that it rained and was 75 degrees, but Darwin Falls was worth the drive and the little hike. It is like an oasis out of a dream: crystal clear water, hidden in one of the most barren places in the world.

i didnt much care for it. my girlfriend liked it. its a waterfall. its near the desert. thats all ive got for you. its pretty, but it also feels like you are on someone's back lot with the crappy unsanitary water line running along the trail. that thing needs work.

Wow! This hike was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! It was beautiful and an unexpected oasis in the desert. Loved it!

Darwin Falls is hidden from view by a short hike. When you are traveling through the Panamint Valley, take an hour side trip to visit the falls. The hike is flat and perhaps a half mile long. The falls are interesting and a good view into the desert water supply.

We enjoyed this hike...relatively easy and very pleasant area, rock pools on route with sweet little frogs. The falls are not dramatic but are wrath the hike.

Nice hike, fall were dry when we were there, but the hike and the rocks are pretty. Popular area for most visitors.