Cottonwood-Marble itinerary
Every mile marker on the Cottonwood-Marble route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one, and which permit each stretch needs. To set alerts for your dates, go to the Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Cottonwood-Marble. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by reservation.
- Stops mapped
- 8
- Across the markers
- 26.3 mi
- Published route length
- 26.3 mi
- Published ascent
- 3,882 ft
How long it takes: 2-3 nights. That is the figure the permit publishes. This page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The Cottonwood-Marble route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
1,184 ft
Cottonwood/Marble Junction
Where almost everyone parks. 4x4 and high clearance are required to get here from Stovepipe Wells.
8.5 miles · 1,635 ft up to Cottonwood Canyon Road End
Mile 8.5
2,819 ft
Cottonwood Canyon Road End
End of Cottonwood Canyon Road and the start of the canyon walking. Running water is typically visible here.
3.3 miles to Rock outcrop bypass (path up the south wall)
Mile 11.8
Rock outcrop bypass (path up the south wall)
0.2 miles to Cottonwood Springs
Mile 12.0
3,600 ft
Cottonwood Springs
Seasonal, and the most reliable source on the loop. Usual first night.
3.5 miles to Base of the pass
Mile 15.5
Base of the pass
2.5 miles to Deadhorse Canyon
Mile 18.0
Deadhorse Canyon
6.5 miles to Marble Canyon Road
Mile 24.5
1,631 ft
Marble Canyon Road
The last 1.8 miles of rough road back to the parking area.
1.8 miles · 447 ft down to Cottonwood/Marble Junction (loop end)
Mile 26.3
1,184 ft
Cottonwood/Marble Junction (loop end)
Getting a Cottonwood-Marble for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Cottonwood-Marble dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations. They return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag checks Cottonwood-Marble around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.