Death Valley Day Trip: Dante's View, Badwater Basin & Zabriskie Point
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
10–11 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness: comfortable sitting for long drives plus short walks on uneven ground; not suitable for those with serious cardiovascular conditions.
Overview
A full-day guided loop through Death Valley’s most iconic viewpoints—Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin and Artist’s Palette—this trip pairs geological storytelling with roadside stops that deliver big panoramas and practical context. Expect long driving segments, intense heat in summer, and unforgettable desert light.
Death Valley Day Trip: Dante's View, Badwater Basin & Zabriskie Point
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The van brakes to a hush at the Death Valley sign; sunlight spills across cracked desert crust like a dare. By midmorning the road has already become an actor in the day’s story—climbing, dropping and stretching between jagged ranges—while the guide unfolds the park’s geography in plain language. This is a day that reads like a primer on extremes: peaks that peer down from 5,475 feet at Dante’s View, salt flats that flatten the world at Badwater Basin (-86 meters), and eroded badlands at Zabriskie Point that look engineered by wind and impatience.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Hydrate early and often
Carry at least 3 liters per person and drink before you feel thirsty; guides provide extra water but desert heat depletes you fast.
Sun protection is non-negotiable
Wide-brim hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and UV-blocking sunglasses will keep you comfortable during viewpoint stops and short walks.
Footwear for uneven terrain
Closed-toe hiking shoes with good grip are useful for scrambling short slopes at Zabriskie and walking across coarse surfaces at Badwater.
Timing for photos and comfort
Plan to visit Zabriskie at sunrise or late afternoon and Badwater in cooler hours; midafternoon in summer is brutally hot and harsh for photography.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- desert bighorn sheep
- kit fox
History
The valley’s modern visitor stories layer over Timbisha Shoshone presence and early-20th-century mining booms that left ghost towns and mining artifacts.
Conservation
Fragile desert crust and ephemeral springs recover slowly; stay on designated trails, avoid driving on salt flats, and pack out all waste to minimize impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Las Vegas
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
3+ liters water
Ample hydration is critical—temperatures and exertion can deplete fluids rapidly.
summer specific
Sun hat & sunscreen
Protects from prolonged exposure during viewpoints and short walks.
summer specific
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provides traction on badlands, salt crust, and rocky overlooks.
Light layers (windbreaker)
High desert can be cool in mornings and wind-exposed on higher overlooks like Dante’s View.
spring specific