Death Valley National Park guide · 1 min read
Ubehebe Crater and the Little Hebe Rim Walk
The name of Ubehebe Crater is spoken oo-beh-heh-bee. The crater sits 8 miles west of Scotty's Castle, and you can take in the view from the paved lot on its rim.
That lot is large enough for buses and big recreational vehicles, and it includes two accessible parking spaces with curb cuts.
Ground near the crater is still strewn with charred soil and rock, evidence of a volcano that was active here long ago. Walking down to the floor is easy going, but the trip back up can wear you out, so pace yourself for the climb out.
The Ubehebe Crater Rim Walk makes a loop of roughly 1.5 miles and typically takes about an hour. Most people head counterclockwise, which puts the 500 feet of elevation gain at the start. Underfoot is loose gravel, and the edges are exposed, so the route is rated moderate and is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights. Less than half a mile in, Little Hebe comes into view.
Though smaller, Little Hebe appears to be younger than its larger neighbor, and it is a popular goal for walkers who want a shorter outing. Clusters of smaller craters lie south and west of Ubehebe, and the rim route heading west passes several of them. You can return the way you came or complete a loop.
Stay on the trail, because the rim and nearby gullies are made of such loose material that they can become unstable and dangerous. There are no restrooms at the crater itself, and the closest ones are at Grapevine Ranger Station, about 5.8 miles away.
