This day we were supposed to hike through Death Valley again. We started early in the morning around 0900 and drove to the Golden Canyon. The good thing about the relatively bad weather was that also relatively few people were on the road. But that was enough to occupy the few parking spaces almost completely, so that we just got a parking space. In the end I had to realize that the National Parks in the USA are completely overcrowded. No wonder why the prices go higher and higher. After this hike we drove in the direction of Nevada to the next town outside Death Valley to Beatty and finally to the Ghost Town Rhyolite, which was once an extremely large town with three railroad lines and also visited a bottle house.
In this video, I visit two fascinating places in the American Southwest: Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park and the ghost town of Rhyolite. Together, they show two very different sides of the desert—one shaped by natural forces over millions of years, the other shaped by human history and left behind as a reminder of the boom-and-bust past.
The first part of the journey leads into Golden Canyon, one of the most famous hiking areas in Death Valley National Park. The canyon is known for its narrow passageways, colorful rock walls, and dramatic desert scenery. Walking into Golden Canyon feels like stepping into a natural corridor where the rock formations glow in shades of gold, red, and orange. The walls rise high on both sides, creating a sense of scale and atmosphere that is both beautiful and humbling.
The trail through Golden Canyon reveals layers of rock shaped by erosion and time. The curves, ridges, and textures of the canyon walls tell the story of ancient sediments, water flow, and the relentless power of wind and heat. Depending on the time of day, the colors shift—soft and pale in the morning, warm and glowing at sunset. For hikers, the canyon offers not only exercise but also a chance to feel the unique character of Death Valley up close.
Beyond the natural beauty, the silence of Golden Canyon is part of the experience. The desert has a stillness that is broken only by footsteps or the occasional bird. In a place known for its extreme temperatures and harsh conditions, the canyon reveals the resilience of nature and its ability to shape landscapes that feel timeless.
After exploring the canyon, the journey continues just outside Death Valley to the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada. Once a booming mining town in the early 1900s, Rhyolite grew quickly during the gold rush era and then declined just as fast when the mines ran dry. Today, its ruins stand as a reminder of that short but intense chapter of history.
Walking through Rhyolite, visitors see the remains of buildings that once housed banks, shops, and homes. Stone walls and wooden structures still stand against the desert backdrop, weathered by more than a century of sun and wind. Some buildings, like the old train depot and the bottle house, are especially memorable. The empty streets and crumbling walls create an atmosphere that feels both eerie and fascinating.
Rhyolite is more than just ruins—it is also a place where imagination comes alive. It is easy to picture the town bustling with miners, families, and businesses during its brief golden age. At the same time, its abandonment shows how quickly fortunes changed in the desert West. Today, the site attracts photographers, history enthusiasts, and travelers who want to connect with the past.
The contrast between Golden Canyon and Rhyolite makes this trip unique. One is entirely natural, shaped by forces far older than human history; the other is entirely human, built and abandoned within a few decades. Together, they show two sides of the desert: enduring nature and fleeting human ambition.
This video captures the atmosphere of both places: the glowing rock walls of Golden Canyon and the quiet ruins of Rhyolite. It is not a detailed guide but a look at the impressions and feelings of walking through these landscapes.
For travelers in Death Valley and the surrounding area, a visit to Golden Canyon and Rhyolite is an ideal combination. It brings together nature and history, silence and stories, the vast scale of the desert and the small traces of those who tried to live here.