The 10 Best Nature & Parks in , Inyo County

July 25, 2021 Janean Rudisill

Discover the best top things to do in , United States including Palisade Glacier, Telescope Peak trail, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Little Lakes Valley Trail, Bishop Pass Trail, The Racetrack, Zabriskie Point, Badwater, Golden Canyon, Twenty Mule Team Canyon.
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1. Palisade Glacier

Glacier Lodge Road, Big Pine, CA
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Palisade Glacier

2. Telescope Peak trail

Death Valley National Park, CA http://www.protrails.com/trails/view/23
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Telescope Peak trail

Strenuous hiking trail with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet to the highest summit in the Panamint range at 11,049 feet.

Reviewed By catchuslater - Sequim, United States

Recommend to go in spring or early fall when days are longer. It’s a medium level hike for us...and we are in our 70’s. It doesnt get steep until the very last part. The last time we did it...on Halloween.....the wind was whipping us and it was pretty cold. Be prepared, but it’s very doable.

3. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

798 N Main St between Big Pine and Deep Springs, Bishop, CA 93514-2428 +1 760-873-2500 http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5129900
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 512 reviews

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Reviewed By 7268 - Oakland, United States

109 degrees in Bakersfield. 100 degrees in lone Pine. 74 degrees at the bristlecone Forest. This is a perfect four mile hike. You will see amazing scenery, 3000 year old trees, and fantastic geology. The hike is rated as moderate, but this is probably due to the frequent up and down – changes in elevation. The interpretive signs are some of the best I've ever seen. If you're not up for a 4-mile hike they have a 1-mile alternative. If you're not up for a hike at all, just drive up there and walk a hundred yards or so up the trail and you will see these amazing trees. It really helps to read up on the geology and the history of the trees before you get there. I stopped here on a web driving from Mammoth lakes to Bakersfield. I'm certainly glad I did. Note: September 2020, visitor Center was not open and there is no one at the gate a few miles up the road. There were plenty of other visitors, but you are definitely on your own. No mobile phone service at the trailhead. At high altitudes you might get a brief signal.

4. Little Lakes Valley Trail

Inyo National Forest 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA +1 760-873-2500 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20404&actid=50
Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 98 reviews

Little Lakes Valley Trail

5. Bishop Pass Trail

Bishop, CA
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Bishop Pass Trail

6. The Racetrack

Racetrack Valley Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/the-racetrack.htm
Excellent
72%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 272 reviews

The Racetrack

Unusual desert area where rocks move from place to place, but the actual movements have never been observed by humans.

Reviewed By 711lynnw - Kellyville, United States

We rented a Jeep from Farabee’s Jeep Rentals at Furnace Creek and, armed with water, maps, and a Spot GPS tracker, we hit the road to the Racetrack Playa. We were instructed to go 15 mph on the road, but due to the washboard rough conditions, we bumped it up to 35-40 mph and the ride smoothed out. There are a few areas with blind spots along the road to the racetrack but we slowed down in plenty of time and had no issues. The road is technically two-way but it is really only wide enough for one vehicle most of the time. When meeting an oncoming vehicle, one must pull off to the side a bit to allow the other to pass. We made it to the Grandstand in about 1 hour (from the start of the Racetrack Road) and we walked around the Grandstand for a bit and took some pictures. The views are great from atop the rocks. A little further down the road is the spot where the rocks have left tracks. To see many of the rocks requires a walk of about ½ mile. We saw several rocks, some with very faint tracks and others with much better trails. The walk out to the Grandstand and the Racetrack rocks is on smooth even ground (this was in December 2018). The parking areas are small but we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot. There are no facilities at either the Grandstand or Racetrack Playa. Even as remote as this place is, there was a good amount of traffic in and out. I highly recommend renting a Jeep from Farabee’s and saving the wear and tear on your own vehicle. The Jeep took the abuse we gave it and we had no issues at all. From Furnace Creek to the Playa and back will take about 8 hours.

7. Zabriskie Point

Route 190, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://nps.gov/deva
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,799 reviews

Zabriskie Point

A dramatic look-out point in Death Valley.

Reviewed By cranemantim - Pahrump, United States

Beautiful overlook, especially after it has rained like this morning for amazing sunsets, it's an easy hike up small hill from parking lot.

8. Badwater

Badwater Rd. 19 mi south of Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,980 reviews

Badwater

Located in Death Valley, this small salt pond is more than 280 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America.

Reviewed By Baywalk827 - Hayward, United States

It is totally cool to be 282 feet below sea level surrounded by salt that looks like snow! Enjoy a hike out and marvel at the earth's processes and vastness of the valley. Visiting during cooler season recommended.

9. Golden Canyon

Badwater Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 611 reviews

Golden Canyon

These fan-shaped mountains created by the deposits of millions of years of flash floods are a good place for day hikes.

Reviewed By izzygirl417 - Chicago, United States

We hiked Golden Canyon just to see more of the NP, it was a rather quick and easy hike, we actually did it in regular shoes, and clothing. Definately bring some water of course because this is Death Valley. Soak in the Golden colors of the rocks, such a pretty hike.

10. Twenty Mule Team Canyon

Death Valley National Park, CA 92328 +1 760-786-3200 http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 342 reviews

Twenty Mule Team Canyon

A tortuous 2.8 mile road riddled with tunnels - a legacy from years of Borax prospecting.

Reviewed By Philly413 - Newmarket, Canada

This is a small side unpaved road where the 20 mule team used to bring borax. So for laundry fans now you know why it’s called 20 mule team borax, and for Star Wars fans, Tatooine. It’s an interesting drive that can be done in a car no problem.

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