Miles
One of the classic views of Death Valley National Park, Zabriskie Point gives an expansive view over the badlands of Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch. Best viewed at either sunrise (my personal favorite) or sunset, this hike, more of a short walk, is easily accessible to people of all ages and abilities and should definitely be on your Death Valley to-do-list.
Location: Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Trailhead: Signed parking lot located 5 miles east of Furnace Creek on Hwy 190; pit toilet
Length: .1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Out and back
Warnings: Bring water as well as sun and eye protection.
Badlands, Manly Beacon and salt flats, oh my! Zabriskie Point is a great visual introduction to what awaits you in Death Valley National Park. As you look west, in the immediate foreground are the badlands of Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch with iconic Manly Beacon reaching toward the sky. In the middle ground, salt flats in Death Valley, just north of Badwater Basin, spread out before the eye, and in the background the Panamint Mountains loom with Telescope and Wildrose, the first and second highest peaks in the park, respectively.
If you do wake up to drink in the beautiful pink and purple hues of a sunrise or stay for a sunset, be ready for a small crowd of photographers. However, there are views in every direction so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot you like.
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