Artist's Drive - Death Valley's Colorful Loop
Their are nearly 1000 miles of roads to explore in Death Valley, and today I’m driving the most colorful loop you’ll find in this 3.4 million acre park. Artist’s Drive is a magical place where over time nature has painted the landscape with bright and vibrant hues that nearly jump off the hillsides. Join me in exploring all the beauty this natural masterpiece holds.
Artist’s Drive
Artist’s Drive (also called Artist’s Loop) is a 9 mile one-way paved road that travels from south to north. Coming from Badwater Basin, this is an ideal side trip on the way to Furnace Creek. The winding road twists and weaves through colorful desert hills and across a sloping mountain side. There are numerous turnouts with places to stop for pictures along the way. Vehicles over 25 feet are strictly prohibited on this road due to the tight canyon passes that feature sudden dips and sharp turns. This is a narrow one way road, so once you start the drive you’re committed and there’s no turning back.
First Vista Point
A small parking area marks the first official pullover one mile into this scenic drive. After a brief uphill walk you are treated to spectacular views of the Amargosa Range. After you enjoy the vast photo worthy valley that lays in front of you, head back to your car because something even more breathtaking is just around the corner.
Artist’s Palette
Halfway through the nine mile drive, you start to see the true star of this loop. Artist’s Palette offers a dazzling display of rich colors sweeping across sedimentary hills. These vivid colors are formed by chemical weathering, in which metals have oxidized the clay, resulting in bright colors. It’s easy to see Artist’s Palette from your car, but trust me when I say it’s worth a hike past the viewpoint, across the narrow wash and up into the mountain side. I love scrambling into these hills and becoming a part of this masterpiece. My pro tip here is to plan your visit for late afternoon…when the sun gets low it casts powerful shadows and the colors will be at there most vibrant.
What to know before you go:
• Make sure to bring proper sun protection and water if you plan on exploring here, as there are no major shaded areas along this drive.
• Wear sturdy footwear if you plan on doing any hiking around the erroding hillsides of Artist’s Palette.
• Visit Artist’s Palette in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day to see the colors at there most vibrant.
• Vault toilets are located at the Artist’s Palette parking area halfway through the loop.
• Vehicles over 25 feet are strictly prohibited on Artist’s Drive.
• Parts of the drive are very windy with little side clearance, so this loop might not be enjoyable for those who get car sick easily.
• Plan on being “off the grid” during this drive because there is no cell coverage here.
In Summary
I hope you have a chance to visit this natural masterpiece in Death Valley before the unbearable summer heat sets in. 😉 For even more information, see my Behind the Blog video below at the top of this post. I hope you find adventure and encouragement all week long!
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Can you kayak in Death Valley? Yes! Currently the National Park Service is allowing park visitors to take kayaks and stand up paddle boards onto the historic Lake Manly, the ancient lake that has reappeared at Badwater Basin. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for all the info you need to plan your kayaking adventure to Death Valley National Park, a perfect road trip from Los Angeles.