If Death Valley has a single spot that looks like it belongs on another planet, it’s Artists Palette. This isn’t your typical desert scenery — it’s a concentrated explosion of colour where volcanic minerals have painted the hillsides in vivid shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, green, and even blue. The colours are so intense, so otherworldly, that first-time visitors often stand in the car park staring in genuine disbelief. The hillsides genuinely look like an artist’s palette after a particularly enthusiastic painting session, which is exactly how this spot got its name.
The best part? You don’t need to hike anywhere. Artists Palette is visible directly from the car park, though many visitors walk a few hundred feet into the coloured hills for closer views and photographs. The colours are created by the oxidation of different metals — iron produces reds, pinks, and yellows; manganese creates purple and lavender; and decomposed volcanic ash adds green tones.
Getting to Artists Palette
Artists Palette is accessed via Artists Drive, a spectacular 9-mile one-way scenic loop off Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park. The entrance to Artists Drive is located approximately 8.5 miles south of the Highway 190/Badwater Road junction, or about 10-15 minutes south of Furnace Creek.
Important: Artists Drive is a one-way road that runs south to north. This means you should visit Artists Palette on your way back from Badwater Basin and other southern attractions, not on your way down. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes depending on how many stops you make along the way.
Artists Palette is roughly 5 miles from the start of Artists Drive, about halfway through the scenic loop.
Vehicle restrictions on Artists Drive
Here’s something crucial to know: vehicles longer than 25 feet (7.6 metres) are prohibited on Artists Drive due to sharp bends and steep dips in the narrow road. If you’re driving a large motorhome, campervan, or towing a trailer, you cannot access Artists Palette via this route. The road is paved and well-maintained but genuinely not suitable for oversized vehicles.
Standard cars, small RVs under 25 feet, and motorcycles are all fine.
Why book the Death Valley Day Tour from Las Vegas?
- Discover an iconic national park: Visit Death Valley National Park’s most dramatic landscapes in a single full-day itinerary from Las Vegas.
- Small-group experience: Travel with a limited number of people in a comfortable vehicle, making for a more personalised day out.
- See famous desert sights: Enjoy stops at highlights such as Badwater Basin, Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point and colourful Artists Palette — all in one day.
- Food and drink included: A breakfast buffet or lunch is provided depending on departure time, and bottled water keeps you refreshed in the desert heat.
- Easy pick-up and mobile ticket: Pick-ups are offered from many Las Vegas hotels, and mobile tickets make entry and logistics straightforward.
Admission fees for Artists Palette and Death Valley
Death Valley National Park charges a $30 entrance fee per vehicle (valid for 7 days), $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person for walkers and cyclists. An annual Death Valley pass costs $55, whilst an America the Beautiful Pass ($80 annual) covers all US national parks.
Death Valley is open 24 hours daily, year-round. Artists Drive has no gates or restricted hours, so you can drive it any time, though late afternoon is considered optimal for the best light on the coloured hills.
Artists Palette parking and facilities
The Artists Palette car park is a medium-sized paved lot with angled parking spaces and vault toilets. It’s the only designated parking area along the entire Artists Drive loop, which makes it a bottleneck during peak visiting hours.
Expect the car park to fill up during late afternoon in peak season (October-March). If you arrive between 3.00pm and sunset, you might find yourself circling for a space. Early afternoon or late morning tends to be quieter, though the light isn’t quite as spectacular.
Exploring Artists Palette
From the car park, Artists Palette is immediately visible across a dry wash. Most visitors simply admire the view from the parking area and take photographs, which is perfectly fine. However, you can walk into the coloured hills for closer views — there are several unmarked social trails that traverse the formations.
The ground is loose, brittle, and slippery. Sturdy hiking shoes are essential if you’re planning to scramble around. The texture makes slipping surprisingly easy, even on seemingly flat ground. Watch your footing and take care near steeper sections.
Exploring time: Most visitors spend 20-40 minutes at Artists Palette, though photographers often linger longer waiting for optimal light.
Accessibility at Artists Palette
Artists Palette is partially accessible. The car park and viewpoint are paved and wheelchair accessible, allowing visitors to see the coloured hills from the parking area. However, the trails into the formations are not accessible due to loose sand, steep sections, and uneven terrain.
Best time to visit Artists Palette
Late afternoon (3.00pm-5.00pm): This is when the light hits the hills at the best angle, making the colours incredibly vibrant. The western sun illuminates the minerals beautifully. This is also the busiest time.
Golden hour and sunset: Absolutely spectacular. The soft, warm light enhances the colours dramatically, and the surrounding Black Mountains glow. However, you’ll be sharing the experience with crowds, and you’ll be driving back in fading light.
Mid-morning: Quieter than afternoon but the harsh overhead sun can wash out some of the more subtle colours. Still worth visiting if you’re combining it with other attractions.
Midday: The light is flat and harsh, muting the colours. Visit at this time only if it’s your only option.
Overcast days: Surprisingly good. Cloudy conditions actually enhance the colours by diffusing the harsh desert sun, creating even, saturated tones.
Best seasons for Artists Palette
Autumn (October-November): Peak season with ideal temperatures and spectacular light. Expect more visitors but comfortable weather.
Winter (December-February): Mild temperatures make hiking pleasant. Clear winter light can be brilliant for photography. Fewer crowds than autumn.
Spring (March-April): Warming up but still pleasant. Occasional wildflower blooms if winter rainfall was adequate.
Summer (May-September): Brutally hot. Temperatures regularly exceed 49°C (120°F). If visiting in summer, go early morning only. Late afternoon heat can be genuinely dangerous.
What to bring for your Artists Palette visit
- Water — at least 2 litres per person if walking into the formations, even in winter.
- Sturdy hiking shoes — essential if exploring the coloured hills.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses — UV exposure is intense year-round.
- Camera — though photographs never quite capture the vividness of the colours.
- Layers — desert evenings can be surprisingly cool.
There are no rubbish bins, so pack out everything you bring in.
Important rules for visiting Artists Palette
- No dogs allowed on trails in Death Valley National Park. Service animals only.
- Drive carefully — Artists Drive has sharp bends, steep dips, and narrow sections. Drive slowly and use pull-offs when meeting oncoming traffic… wait, it’s one-way. Drive slowly anyway.
- Stay aware of your surroundings when walking amongst the formations. The ground is unstable and easy to slip on.
- Respect other visitors — if photographers are waiting for clear shots, be considerate.
The full Artists Drive experience
Don’t rush straight to Artists Palette and back. The entire 9-mile loop features numerous pull-offs with spectacular coloured canyons and mountain views. Many seasoned visitors rate some of the unnamed spots along Artists Drive as equally impressive as Artists Palette itself.
About halfway to Artists Palette, there’s a hairpin turn with stunning views down to Artists Palette itself. There’s no official pull-off, so if you stop, park safely and watch for traffic behind you.
After Artists Palette, the final section of Artists Drive features more excellent photography opportunities with different colour palettes and rock formations.
Where to stay near Artists Palette
Furnace Creek (15-20 minutes from Artists Drive entrance) is the main hub with The Oasis at Death Valley resort offering the only proper hotel rooms inside the park. Book months ahead for peak season.
Furnace Creek Campground requires reservations through Recreation.gov.
Many visitors stay in Beatty, Nevada (40 minutes) or Pahrump, Nevada (90 minutes) for cheaper, more readily available accommodation.
Combining Artists Palette with other Death Valley attractions
Badwater Basin (15 minutes south) is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level with vast salt flats — absolutely worth visiting. You can get fabulous views from above at Dante’s View.
Golden Canyon (15 minutes north) offers stunning hiking through golden-walled canyons. The 2.5-mile trail connecting Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point is spectacular.
Devil’s Golf Course (between Badwater and Artists Drive) features bizarre salt formations — worth a quick stop.
Zabriskie Point (20 minutes from Furnace Creek) offers panoramic badlands views, particularly spectacular at sunrise.
Twenty Mule Team Canyon (nearby) is a one-way dirt road through colourful badlands — recommended if you enjoyed Artists Drive.h services is Furnace Creek, with petrol, limited shops, and restaurants.
More California travel
Other California travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A visit to Death Valley – the hottest place on earth.
- How West Hollywood became the gay capital of Los Angeles.
- Inside Hearst Castle – the most expensive home ever built.
- The Grove of the Titans – seeing giant redwoods in Jebediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
- The best times to spot Roosevelt Elk at Elk Meadow in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
