Visit Zabriskie Point in Death Valley for sunrise or sunset views of golden badlands. This guide covers parking, fees, the easy walk, and top tips.
If there’s one spot in Death Valley, California, that’ll make you understand why people drive hours through scorching desert to get here, it’s Zabriskie Point. This isn’t just another viewpoint — it’s a sweeping panorama of golden and amber badlands that seem to ripple like frozen waves across the landscape. The colours shift dramatically depending on the light, which is why photographers arrive in droves at sunrise and sunset, tripods in hand, ready to capture the most spectacular show in Death Valley.
The best part? Unlike many epic viewpoints that require serious hiking, Zabriskie Point is just a quarter-mile paved walk from the car park. This makes it brilliantly accessible for pretty much everyone, though the ease of access does mean you’ll be sharing the experience with crowds during peak times.
Getting to Zabriskie Point
Zabriskie Point is located on Highway 190, approximately 5 miles east of Furnace Creek Visitor Centre in Death Valley National Park, California. From the visitor centre, the drive takes about 10-15 minutes. The viewpoint is well signposted, so you won’t have trouble finding it.
If you’re coming from Las Vegas (the nearest major city), Zabriskie Point is roughly a 2-hour drive. From Los Angeles, expect 4-5 hours depending on traffic. The journey from LA takes you through some proper desert scenery — consider it a warm-up act for the main event.
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.
Zabriskie Point parking
There’s a reasonably large paved car park with angled parking spaces, plus vault toilets. However, “reasonably large” is relative when you’re dealing with one of the most popular spots in Death Valley. During sunrise and sunset, the car park fills up fast.
Top tip for sunrise visitors: Arrive at least 40-60 minutes before sunrise to guarantee a parking spot. On weekends, some visitors report arriving even earlier. If you rock up 15 minutes before dawn expecting to find a space, you’ll likely be circling the car park feeling increasingly anxious whilst the sky starts changing colour.
The car park includes accessible parking spaces and is suitable for RVs and buses, though larger vehicles should arrive outside peak times.
Admission fees for Zabriskie Point 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. Children under 16 enter free. An annual Death Valley pass costs $55, whilst an America the Beautiful Pass ($80 annual) covers all US national parks.
The park accepts credit and debit cards only — no cash at self-service kiosks or visitor centres. You can purchase passes online before arrival or at entrance stations and visitor centres.
Death Valley is open 24 hours daily, year-round. There are no gates that close, so you can visit Zabriskie Point at any hour, though sunrise and sunset are obviously the main events.
The walk to Zabriskie Point viewpoint
The paved trail to Zabriskie Point is only 0.25 miles (400 metres) with minimal elevation gain — about 49 feet. The path is wheelchair accessible, though there’s a slight incline. The walk takes 8-12 minutes depending on your pace.
From the viewpoint platform, you’ll see the famous Manly Beacon (the prominent peak rising from the badlands), Red Cathedral to the right, and sweeping views across Death Valley. The badlands are made of ancient lake-bed sediments that have eroded into these extraordinary wrinkled formations in shades of gold, amber, ochre, and brown.
The viewpoint has a low stone wall but no railings, so watch your footing, especially if you’re focused on your camera. It can be unexpectedly windy at the top.
Hiking trails from Zabriskie Point
If you want to escape the crowds, several hiking trails start from the Zabriskie Point car park. The Badlands Loop Trail offers various route options through the coloured canyons, including longer loops that connect to Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, and Red Cathedral. These trails range from 2.6 to 6 miles and let you walk amongst the badlands rather than just viewing them from above.
Fair warning: There’s virtually no shade on these hikes. In summer, it’s dangerous. Stick to the viewpoint or hike very early morning if visiting between May and September.
Best time to visit Zabriskie Point
Sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Sunrise is the most popular time to visit Zabriskie Point, and for good reason. As the sun rises over the Amargosa Range, it lights up Manly Beacon first, then the light floods into the badlands, transforming the landscape into shades of gold and amber whilst the mountains in the background turn deep red.
Expect 100+ people on busy mornings, primarily photographers with tripods. Check your weather app for sunrise times, but remember the sun rises over mountains, so it appears slightly later than predicted. Arrive 40-60 minutes early for parking.
Sunset at Zabriskie Point
Sunset offers equally spectacular light, with the western sun illuminating the badlands in warm tones. It’s slightly less crowded than sunrise but still busy. The disadvantage? You’ll be driving back in darkness, and wildlife (especially larger animals) can be active on the roads.
Midday at Zabriskie Point
Midday light is harsh and flat, washing out the colours that make this viewpoint special. It’s also scorching hot in summer. Visit midday only if it’s your only option or if you’re combining it with nearby attractions.
Best seasons to visit Zabriskie Point
October through March is prime time for Death Valley. Temperatures range from comfortable 20-25°C (70s-80s°F) rather than the terrifying 49-54°C (120-130°F) you’ll find in summer. Winter nights can be cold — bring layers.
Spring (February-April) is ideal — warm but bearable, with occasional wildflower blooms if there’s been winter rain.
Summer (May-September) is brutally hot. If you visit in summer, go for sunrise only, then retreat to air-conditioned spaces. Do not hike the badlands trails. Rangers frequently rescue people who’ve underestimated the heat.
What to bring for your Zabriskie Point visit
- Water — even in winter, you should carry water. In summer, bring several litres if hiking.
- Camera — though honestly, photos never quite capture it.
- Layers — mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cold, even when days are warm.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses — UV exposure is intense.
- Headtorch if visiting for sunrise or sunset.
- Sturdy footwear if you’re planning to hike the badlands trails.
Important rules for visiting Zabriskie Point
- Stay on designated trails. Off-trail walking damages fragile desert soil that takes decades to recover.
- No dogs allowed on any trails in Death Valley National Park. Service animals only.
- Be respectful of other visitors, especially photographers waiting for specific light. If there’s a queue to photograph the viewpoint without people in the frame, be considerate.
- Pack out all rubbish. There are no bins.
Where to stay near Zabriskie Point
Furnace Creek (10 minutes away) is the main hub in Death Valley, with several accommodation options including The Oasis at Death Valley (formerly Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch), which offers the only proper hotel rooms inside the park. Book months in advance for peak season.
Furnace Creek Campground has tent and RV sites but requires reservations through Recreation.gov. There are also several smaller campgrounds throughout the park.
Many visitors stay in Beatty, Nevada (about 40 minutes away) or Pahrump, Nevada (about 90 minutes), where accommodation is cheaper and more readily available.
Combining Zabriskie Point with other Death Valley attractions
Golden Canyon (trailhead 5 minutes south) offers a stunning hike through golden-walled canyons. The Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point hike (2.5 miles one-way) is spectacular if you have two cars for a shuttle.
Twenty Mule Team Canyon (short drive from Zabriskie Point) is a one-way scenic dirt road through colourful badlands — highly recommended.
Dante’s View (30 minutes away) offers panoramic views of the entire valley from 5,475 feet elevation — utterly spectacular.
Badwater Basin (30 minutes south) is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, with vast salt flats.
More California travel
Other California travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 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.
- A visit to Death Valley – the hottest place on earth.
- What to know before visiting the California Academy of Sciences.
