📍 Location & Trail Information
Artists Palette is a popular viewpoint on the Artists Drive Scenic Loop in Death Valley National Park. It is set among the eroded hills below the Black Mountains and is a strikingly beautiful photography location. Behind a plain yellow slope, the view opens up onto hillsides splashed with red, orange, yellow, blue, pink and green. Volcanic deposits rich in iron oxides and chlorite produced those exquisite bands of color. If you are already exploring this part of Death Valley, Artists Palette is well worth a stop.
Accessing Artists Palette
The Artists Palette parking lot is easily accessible from Badwater Road, one of the main roads in Death Valley National Park. From Badwater Road, you will turn onto the Artists Drive Scenic Loop and will drive until you hit the halfway point where there is a nice parking lot with a restroom near the Artists Palette trailhead.
Hiking Tips at Artists Palette
The Artists Palette hiking trail is an easily accessible loop trail. You will be hiking mostly in sand, so make sure you wear some hiking shoes/boots with good grip. As there is not much of a recognizable trail around Artists Palette, make sure you have AllTrails app downloaded, or a GPS tracker, like the Garmin inReach or Garmin inReach Mini. At a minimum, have a printed copy of the maps or download them to your phone via the NPS app. Death Valley holds the record for being the hottest place on earth. As such, it is crucial that you also bring plenty of water and food with you while you hike, in case of emergency.
Best Time of Year to Visit and Photograph Artists Palette
As Death Valley is so hot, I highly recommend visiting Death Valley during late Fall or early Spring. When we visited Artists Palette, we went at sunset, which I also highly recommend. It was probably one of the prettiest sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. Going later in the evening instead of mid-day will be cooler. The colors are also more vibrant in the evening as the sun sets low in the horizon.
Concluding Remarks
Overall, I loved my time visiting and photographing Artists Palette at Death Valley National Park and hope that you enjoy your time there as well.
Get Outdoors!
Hunter Rice, Featured National Park Photographer
Find Your Favorite Location
No matter where you go in Death Valley National Park, be sure to take your time and find your favorite location along the way. If you are lucky, you may even spot some wildlife! Don’t forget to add detailed macro shots, change your perspective, and most importantly have fun.
Before making your trip, consider checking the official Death Valley National Park website or contacting the park’s visitor center for the most up-to-date information on trail conditions, accessibility, and any recent changes. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while exploring this beautiful area.
Want to learn more about Death Valley National Park? Check out these maps, guides & books:
- Death Valley Day Hikes and National Park Map [Map Pack Bundle] Map (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)
- Moon Death Valley National Park: Hiking, Scenic Drives, Desert Springs & Hidden Oases (Travel Guide)
- The Explorer’s Guide to Death Valley National Park, Fourth Edition
- Hiking Death Valley National Park: A Guide to the Park’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (Regional Hiking Series)
- Death Valley National Park: A History (America’s National Parks)
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References
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