Death Valley National Park Zabriskie Point

In Death Valley—the lowest, driest, hottest national park in the country—landscapes seem closer to that of Mars than to anything found on Earth. Zabriskie Point sits at the center of this Martian atmosphere.

Guided day trips to Death Valley from Las Vegas include stops at Zabriskie Point as well as the Devil’s Golf Course, and Badwater Basin. Some tours also include cultural stops like the Borax Museum in Furnace Creek and the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel. For a unique experience, opt for a day-and-night tour to catch all the best views in full sunlight before stargazing in this International Dark Sky Park.

• Because Zabriskie Point offers one of the most enthralling views in Death Valley, it is one of the park’s most visited spots.

• Several moderately-difficult hiking trails through the craggy, desolate landscape are accessible near the viewpoint.

• There is a fee to enter Death Valley National Park, though once you’ve paid, you can re-enter at any time (and as many times as you like) within a seven-day period. Fees are lower for those entering the park on foot, by motorcycle, or by bicycle.

Zabriskie Point sits just off Hwy 190 on the eastern side of Death Valley National Park. The main viewpoint is a short walk from the parking lot.

Death Valley is best visited mid-October to mid-May, when temperatures are cooler. Stop by Zabriskie Point early in the day to beat the crowds. At sunrise, you can watch the valley’s peaks and crevasses fill with golden sunlight.

For the perfect day in Death Valley, start early and catch a sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. After a stop at Zabriskie Point—and a quick hike down the Golden Canyon Trail—swing by the Artist’s Palette where pastels are seemingly painted onto volcanic rock. Just down the road, explore the salt flats of Badwater Basin. Cap off your evening with sunset at Dante’s Peak; the light fades over the Black Mountains casting golds, oranges, and pinks onto the mountains and salt flats below.