Ubehebe Crater is a dramatic hole in the northern desert, about a half mile across and roughly 600 feet deep. It was formed when rising magma met groundwater and produced a massive steam explosion, throwing rock and ash across the surrounding landscape. The blast is thought to have happened some two thousand years ago, though the exact date is still debated. The crater's walls are layered in orange, red, brown and black, and the bottom is a bowl of loose cinders. A short walk from the parking area takes you to the rim, where a trail circles part of the crater and offers views across the cinder-covered terrain. Smaller craters nearby, including Little Hebe, are reached by a short walk. The setting feels remote and otherworldly, a world away from the salt flats of the south.
What to do
Walk the rim trail, which follows the edge of the crater in a loop of about a mile and a half, with views down to the bottom. More energetic visitors can walk down into the crater on a steep, loose trail, which takes about twenty minutes to descend and considerably longer to climb back, since the cinders slide underfoot.
Take plenty of water, and be prepared for heat and wind. A longer trail leads along the rim to Little Hebe and other craters. Children are fascinated by the cinders and the sense of scale.
How to visit
Ubehebe Crater lies in the north of the park, roughly 55 miles from Furnace Creek, at the end of a short paved spur road from the north highway. It is a long drive, roughly an hour or more each way from the central valley, so it suits those staying at Stovepipe Wells or planning a full day.
The road is paved and suitable for ordinary cars. Check the park service for current road status, since flash floods sometimes close the route. There are restrooms at the parking area but little else, so carry your own food and water.
Making the most of it
Combine the crater with the Racetrack, which starts nearby on a rough road, or with a drive through the northern desert on the way to or from Beatty. The crater is lovely in the early morning when the light is soft, and the cinders glow in the late afternoon. Mind the wind, which can be strong.
If you want to visit the Racetrack, take advice on conditions and tires before you leave. Photographers should bring a wide-angle lens to capture the scale. The crater is also a good place to learn about the volcanic history of the region, which adds a layer of understanding to the better-known salt flats and dunes.
Extra tips
The cinders at the crater floor are loose and hard to climb, so only descend if you have the energy for the return. Look for the layering in the crater wall, where eruptions deposited different colors of ash. The wind here can be fierce, so hold on to hats and maps.
A walk to Little Hebe, a smaller crater a short way along the rim, adds variety and fewer people. Check the road status before you leave, and take a map, since mobile signal is unreliable. The crater makes a great sunset stop if you plan to stay for the night sky.
What to expect
The experience
A paved road to a crater rim with a short walk, a rim loop trail and an optional steep descent.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon; avoid midday heat and strong afternoon wind.
How long
One to two hours at the crater, plus a long drive.
Tips
Bring water and layers, check road status with the park service and expect wind.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Geology fans and those who like remote, dramatic scenery.
- Families
- Children enjoy the cinders; keep them back from the rim.
- Couples
- Quiet, wide-open and photogenic.
- Pair with
- The Racetrack, or a drive north to Beatty.
- Time needed
- Half a day including the drive.
Good questions
How big is Ubehebe Crater?+
About a half mile across and roughly 600 feet deep.
How did it form?+
Magma met groundwater and caused a steam explosion, thought to have occurred about two thousand years ago.
Can I walk to the bottom?+
Yes, on a steep, loose trail. The descent is easy but the climb back is tiring.
Is the road paved?+
Yes, the road to the crater is paved.
How far is it from Furnace Creek?+
Roughly an hour or more each way, so plan it as part of a longer day.