Sidewinder Canyon

Sidewinder Canyon starts at the same pulloff as Willow Canyon along Badwater Road, but don't confuse the two — Sidewinder heads south into a narrower, more technical canyon system that rewards the extra effort. The first stretch crosses open desert wash before the walls begin closing in, revealing layered sedimentary rock in rust, cream, and charcoal. You'll scramble over dry pour-offs and squeeze through slot-like narrows as the canyon gains nearly 1,600 feet of elevation over just two and a half miles — that's a relentless grade that will have your quads filing a formal complaint. The deeper you push, the more sculpted and dramatic the geology becomes, with side canyons branching off like a choose-your-own-adventure. This is a route for scramblers and explorers who prefer rough-hewn desert canyons over manicured trails.