About Zabriskie Point
I’ve been to Death Valley more times than I can count (but still not enough) and I can safely say Zabriskie Point is one of the most iconic locations in all of Death Valley National Park. A lot of folks will tell you Zabriskie is perhaps best place in the park to watch a sunrise. Personally, I think there’s at least one spot that’s better (see below).
This iconic location features panoramic views of Death Valley and stunning rock formations. As one of the parks most popular locations crowds here can be quite large especially during the popular seasons so be sure to show up early for sunrise to get a good spot!
Zabriskie Point Trail
Distance: .4 miles roundtrip
Time: 15-25mins
Zabriskie Point Trail is a very short, .4 mile trail that takes visitors from the parking lot to the main overlook & viewpoint. The trail has very limited elevation and is an accessible trail. The viewpoint at the end of the trail is one of the most famous in the entire park and one of the best places in the park to catch a sunrise.
Zabriskie Point Map & Location
Things to Know Before Visiting Zabriskie Point
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle OR if you plan to visit more National Parks within the next 12 months we suggest you go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. This pass gets you into all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more including 2,000 sites for free after a one time $79 fee.
Sunscreen: Use it. Lots of it. Especially this one which we never leave the house without because it plays nice with our dear friend, earth 🙂
Gas: Fuel up before you enter the park (even if you’re at like 3/4 of a tank) because the park is massive (we’re talking the largest in the contiguous 48 states). You do not want to run out of gas in the desert.
Cell Service is spotty in the park at best. There is no service at Lee Flat.
Death Valley Guide Book: This is the guide book we found most helpful for visiting the park & this one for day hikes.
The Best Map: We like this map best for Death Valley.
Water: Drink it. Lots of it. Don’t forget it in the car.
Four Wheel Drive: You do not need a 4WD vehicle to access Badwater Basin.
Best Time to Visit Zabriskie Point
Sunrise is a great time to visit Zabriskie Point as the colors are breathtaking and this is one of the best places in Death Valley to see a sunrise.. Morning is a great time to visit this spot as there are less visitors than sunset and personally I think sunrise here is more spectacular. The best place to see sunrise in the park is Aguereberry Point.
With that being said, sunset is also a great time to visit Zabriskie Point albeit more crowded.
Death Valley National Park Guide
Yep, we created a beautiful, comprehensive guide to Death Valley National Park. It’s totally free and just for you with beautiful photos, videos, and more.
Visiting Zabriskie Point
Getting to Zabriskie Point is very straight forward and does not require four wheel drive. Zabriskie Point is located 26 miles (26 minutes driving) from the Death Valley Junction (or east) park entrance and 5 miles south of Furnace Creek (8mins driving).
To get to Zabriskie Point from Death Valley Junction simply drive toward the park (west) on highway 190 for approximately 26 miles until you see a sign for Zabriskie Point along with the parking area.
Once you arrive, parking is abundant so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot.
NOTE: There is limited shade or cover at Zabriskie Point. Be sure to wear sunscreen (we recommend this eco-friendly one) and limit your time in the sun.
Nearby Locations
If you’re visiting the Zabriskie Point we recommend you check out these nearby sites:
Death Valley Video Featuring Zabriskie Point
If you’re visiting Death Valley ya just gotta take 3 minutes and watch the (award-winning) film we made based on our trips to the park.
DEATH VALLEY 8K
Synopsis: In the remote far reaches of the Mojave Desert lies the largest national park in the continental United States. Hidden here in the hottest place on earth is another world full of diverse life and colorful landscapes. Join us as we take life to the extreme and explore Death Valley. Filmed primarily in 8K.
Zabriskie Point Photos
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