Death Valley South
Badwater, Artists Palette, Zabriskie Point, Dante's View
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Duration
4-6 hours Distance 129 miles/ 208km from Shoshone 73 miles/113km all sights |
Maps and more details are listed under the Death Valley National Park’s webpage: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
The following sights are listed in an order assuming you are driving from Las Vegas to Death Valley. |
1st stop: Badwater
As mentioned before Badwater is the lowest point in Northern America and has an elevation of 282 ft (86m) below sea level. It got its name because of a small pool that carries undrinkable water that results from the salts around. But the pool itself is not the reason pulling all the tourists to Badwater. It’s the impressing scenery of the salt flat spreading out over miles towards the mountains.
You can walk on the salt flat without any doubts to explore the area. In particular hobby photographers are having fun here taking pictures from the salt cracks and ridges. If you are standing at the pool look up to the mountain behind the parking lot. Up there is a sign indicating sea level to give you an impression how low you would be under water. On the opposite you are looking towards Mt. Whitney the highest point in the US outside Alaska.
Hike through the Badwater Salt Flat:
Start at the parking lot and pass all tourists at the pool. Walk as far as you want into the salt flat, the further away you get from the masses the more amazing are the views towards the mountains. Moreover you have more salient irregular cracks and ridges in the salt. This hike can be expanded from ½ mile up to 5 miles (800m – 8km). There is no marked trail available, but you can see a difference in the untouched irregular salt area and the one others already trampled down. Stay on the ‘beaten path’ to avoid destroying more of the untouched flat and be cautious of muddy areas and covered water after a rainfall. This hike is not recommended in summer!
Hike close to Badwater:
The Golden Canyon Trail is an easy two-mile (3.2 km) roundtrip through a colorful canyon with walls 50ft (15 m) over your head. By taking this trail you have a beautiful view at the Red Cathedral, a steep cliff with red oxidized rocks. In the afternoon the canyons appear golden and redish giving you an awesome photo motif. The trail entrance lies 2-miles south of Badwater to your left next to the parking lot.
2nd stop: Artists Palette
Artists Palette is located at the face of the Black Mountains. The canyon is known for various colors of rock that were caused by metal oxidations. Through the oxidation of iron salts some rock layers are dyed in yellow, pink and red. Tuff and manganese caused the green and purple layers.
Coming here during the day is already impressing; in the late afternoon and during sunset it is getting amazing. There is a fun one-way drive you can do along the canyon. The road is winding and narrow and you should be alone taking the road since the majority turns around behind Artist Palette’s lookout.
3rd stop: Furnace Creek
Furnace Creek is an oasis located at today’s intersection of HWY 178 and 190. It is the home of the Death Valley Visitor Center, the Furnace Creek Resort and its golf course. Adding all this together you can imagine how busy this area is during high season. But don’t worry it’s still bearable.
Furnace Creek is an oasis located at today’s intersection of HWY 178 and 190. It is the home of the Death Valley Visitor Center, the Furnace Creek Resort and its golf course. Adding all this together you can imagine how busy this area is during high season. But don’t worry it’s still bearable.
4th stop: Zabriskie Point
East of Furnace Creek lies another attraction, Zabriskie Point. A stunning lookout towards the rocky, oxidized and colorful canyons and a favorite photo spot in the National Park. The point was named after the general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company in Death Valley, Christian Breevort Zabriskie, a descendant of Polish immigrants. From the parking lot you have to climb up the hill getting to the lookout, maybe strenuous in summer but worth it.
East of Furnace Creek lies another attraction, Zabriskie Point. A stunning lookout towards the rocky, oxidized and colorful canyons and a favorite photo spot in the National Park. The point was named after the general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company in Death Valley, Christian Breevort Zabriskie, a descendant of Polish immigrants. From the parking lot you have to climb up the hill getting to the lookout, maybe strenuous in summer but worth it.
Dante’s View
26-miles off Zabriskie Point is Dante’s View, another overlook that opens a view towards Death Valley’s center and Badwater’s salt flat.
26-miles off Zabriskie Point is Dante’s View, another overlook that opens a view towards Death Valley’s center and Badwater’s salt flat.