Zabriskie Point, Death Valley California: The Complete Guide to Sunrise Over the Badlands

Of all the views in Death Valley, Zabriskie Point, California is the one that shows up on postcards, in movie scenes, and in nearly every visitor's photo roll. Golden badlands ripple out in every direction, carved from the remains of a lake bed that dried up nine million years ago.

What makes Zabriskie Point Death Valley California's most photographed spot isn't just the color, it's how much that color changes throughout the day. Catch it at the right moment, and the whole landscape seems to glow from within.

TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF DEATH VALLEY

Want the story behind Zabriskie Point and the rest of the park playing automatically as you drive?

Take our Death Valley National Park Driving Tour. It's a self-guided, GPS-triggered audio tour that winds through the park's most iconic stops, including Zabriskie Point itself.

Along the way you'll discover:

• How an ancient lake created these badlands over millions of years

• The ballerina who built her own theater fifty miles from the nearest town

• The mule teams that hauled 20 million pounds of borax across the desert

Stories play automatically as you drive, so you can keep your eyes on the road, all the way through the largest national park outside Alaska.

Check out our Death Valley National Park Driving Tour here.

WHAT MAKES ZABRISKIE POINT SO STRIKING

The badlands at Zabriskie Point formed from sediment deposited by Furnace Creek Lake roughly nine million years ago.

Over time, the lake dried up, and wind and water carved the soft sediment into the rippled, wave-like hills visitors see today. Mineral deposits in the rock, including borax, create the golden, rust, and pink tones that shift depending on the angle of the sun, which is exactly why the same view can look completely different an hour apart.

WHEN TO GO: SUNRISE VS. SUNSET

Sunrise is widely considered the best time to visit Zabriskie Point, when the low morning light sets the badlands glowing in shades of gold and orange, and the overlook is noticeably quieter than later in the day.

Sunset offers a different kind of beauty, with warmer, redder tones as the sun drops, though it tends to draw a bigger crowd. Either way, the light here does most of the work, so timing your visit around golden hour makes a real difference.

GETTING THERE AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Zabriskie Point sits just off Highway 190, a short and easy drive from the Furnace Creek area, with a paved parking lot and a short paved path leading to the main overlook.

The walk from the parking area takes only a few minutes, making it accessible for nearly every visitor, though those wanting a closer look at the badlands can continue on longer trails like Golden Canyon from the same general area.

TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT

• Arrive at least 20 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find parking and get settled

• Bring a light jacket, since desert mornings can be surprisingly cool even in a hot park

• Bring water, even for a short visit, since Death Valley's dry air adds up fast

• Check the forecast, since clear skies make for the most dramatic color

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ready to see Zabriskie Point and the rest of Death Valley for yourself?

Check out our Death Valley travel guide for tips on where to eat, where to stay, and how to plan the perfect day (or two) in the park.