Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Twenty Mule Team Canyon
4.5
About
A tortuous 2.8 mile road riddled with tunnels - a legacy from years of Borax prospecting.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Twenty Mule Team Canyon and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
1 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
359 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
124
Average
41
Poor
7
Terrible
2
SDAnnie
Rapid City, SD173 contributions
May 2022
Short drive through some badland type settings. Nothing visible about old mule teams. Most of the one way road is narrow. Only big advantage is you can stay in the car if you aren't a walker.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justin P
Raleigh, NC4,557 contributions
Jan 2023
Twenty Mule Team Canyon is a 3-mile one-way dirt road through a small canyon near Zabriskie Point. We drove through while passing by and really glad we did as the canyon is absolutely beautiful and one of several places in Death Valley that the original Star Wars was filmed. The road is very narrow, but there are a few spots wide enough to pull over and get out to explore on foot. There are no official trails but easy enough to follow paths through the narrow canyons and up on the ridges. The badlands landscape is just beautiful and recommend getting out at least once to get a good view.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GwenP
Philadelphia, PA936 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
My husband is always a person who wants to "get off the beaten track" when traveling so when planning the trip, I decided this drive would be right up his alley. First, we had heard that it had been closed earlier in the week due to rain so we weren't sure if it would even be open, but it was. It was also completely dry as well. When we go to the entrance, I have to admit that we sort of stopped for a second to reconsider and wonder if it was a good idea. The road is dirt and very narrow. The sign isn't even too encouraging with its small size. Never the less, we gave it a shot and are glad we did. We drove it with a regular car and didn't have any issues. However, the twists and turn, hills and gullies certainly kept us on our toes a bit. It was sort of like a roller coaster in car form!
I would certainly recommend this drive for anyone who wants to "get off the beaten track" in their regular car. Just make sure that the road is completely dry otherwise you may get stuck. It took us about twenty minutes from start to finish.
I would certainly recommend this drive for anyone who wants to "get off the beaten track" in their regular car. Just make sure that the road is completely dry otherwise you may get stuck. It took us about twenty minutes from start to finish.
Written August 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vmheights
Belle Vernon, PA113 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
While driving through this canyon, you will be amazed that people actually worked there years ago because of the conditions. The heat was unbelievable. You didn't have to get out of your car, but we did to climb some of the hills for better views and pictures. That's when you realized the working conditions those workers and mules had to endure. In today's world neither humans or animals would work in those conditions. Still the views were impressive. Worth the drive.
Written August 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZerroDefex
Aurora, IL21 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
While this is not as pretty as Artists Drive it's still an interesting one-way scenic road that takes you through a historic area. Like Mustard Canyon it's a gravel road so one reason that you need to go slow. The other reason is that there are a lot of tight turns and some steep slopes, one deep dip made me rather nervous being in a muscle car so I ended up just coasting down and mostly letting momentum carry our car back up the other side so as not to risk getting stuck and digging in the tires.
Definitely not a road to take an RV down and I didn't see any signs at the entrance warning drivers that this road is not for novices and definitely not for oversized vehicles.
Definitely not a road to take an RV down and I didn't see any signs at the entrance warning drivers that this road is not for novices and definitely not for oversized vehicles.
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rsinc11
Vancouver, Canada3 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
My wife and I booked a Death Valley tour with Bindlestiff Tours out of Las Vegas. This tour was EXCELLENT beyond our expectations and was money very WELL spent. Khriss, our guide, was very knowledgeable, explaining the history of the area with great attention to detail, explaining the geological contrasts, and answering all our questions most patiently. Khriss clearly loves his job, and took us to the S.E. section of the park, to locations we surely would have missed had we been on our own. He patiently stopped at all locations where we wanted photographs, like Twenty Mule Team Canyon, Zabriskie Point, and locations along Artist's Drive and gave us the time we required. He had interesting stories to tell about all points of interest. We were provided with a picnic lunch, and snacks and water, and the necessary stops at rest stations.
we had an amazing day, and would not hesitate to recommend this tour of the park, and hope that others will follow suit and tour with Khriss at Bindlestiff Tours. You will not be disappointed !!!
we had an amazing day, and would not hesitate to recommend this tour of the park, and hope that others will follow suit and tour with Khriss at Bindlestiff Tours. You will not be disappointed !!!
Written January 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Canucklife
Gatineau, Canada275 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
We drove thru this canyon on our way to Zabrikies point and we were not dispointed.The road is un paved and a little rocky , this a one direction road and you come back out onto the HWY 190 kind of a loop.It will take you 15 min to 20 drive thru but worth the small detour.
Written September 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary Marie A
Albany, OR22 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
It is a beautiful drive through the canyon that you can see part of from Zabriskis point. Allow about 20 to drive through the canyons. It is a one way dirt road that is well maintained with areas to pull over and take pictures.
Written December 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhonda L
Oahu, HI35 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Took this loop in my 2016 Elantra wasn't so sure about that choice a couple of times. No damage but sure would have felt better in a higher clearance vehicle. With that said awesome views and fun ride. Gave my new driver an experience.
Written April 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VLW
Kellyville, OK1,906 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
It's hard to imagine the mule teams being able to traverse this area. The canyon is very pretty and colorful but rugged and rough. There is a short gravel road looping back to the main road. The gravel road is fairly smooth but curvy at times. Definitely take this side trip.
Written August 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to do the drive, assuming you are taking your time and looking around?
Written April 14, 2018
I’d say anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour if you make stops. We drove really slowly but never really stopped for an extended time and it probably took 30 minutes.
Take lots and lots of water and make sure your vehicle is in good shape. Road is not paved, but safe enough. No phone service obviously...
We did this drive immediately after the artists palette loop. Awesome to see the contrast.
Written April 14, 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing