Artists Palette

Overview

About Artists Palette

Artists Palette is the showstopper along the one‑way, 9‑mile Artists Drive: a cluster of wildly colored badlands splashed with reds, pinks, yellows, greens, and purples. You pull into a small signed lot, step out, and the color hits you immediately. Expect a primitive (vault) toilet, an info placard, and big views—no services beyond that and no shade.

Why stop

Vivid multi‑colored hills visible right from the parking area
Fun, short wanderings up washes for fresh angles
On‑site parking and a primitive restroom

Heads up

Sunset crowds can be heavy
Harsh midday light mutes the colors; no water or shade

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightArtists Palette36.36773, -116.80339

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Artists Palette

Drive the one‑way Artists Drive loop; vehicles over about 25 feet aren’t allowed.
Arrive at sunrise or early morning—sunset draws the biggest crowds.
Don’t stop at the first viewpoint; continue to the signed lot with the restroom and placard.
Even a recent rain can intensify the colors if your timing is flexible.
Bring plenty of water and sun protection—there’s no shade or services here.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Sunrise and sunset deliver the most saturated color and gentler shadows. Mornings are typically quieter than evenings, when it’s busiest. Midday sun tends to wash everything out, so plan your loop to hit this stop in golden light if you can.

3 active Death Valley alerts

ClosurePark roads closed or hazardousPlan around multiple closed roads and use extra caution on damaged routes. - Paved roads: North Highway and Beatty Cut-off are closed due to flooding and debris from the October 22 storm.Official details
ClosureSaline Valley Lower Springs closed after wildfireLower Springs at Saline Valley Warm Springs remains closed after the September 15 wildfire; stay out because the fire left safety hazards, including potential hazardous chemicals.Official details

See all 3 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Death Valley Tour Guide

Your drive to Artists Palette, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Death Valley National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Death Valley audio tour

Recorded for this place

Artists Drive Scenic Loop and Palette

Listen

“You'll soon see the turn for Artists Drive, a nine-mile, one-way scenic loop. It's a fun road with lots of twists and dips, so vehicles over 25 feet aren't allowed.”

Plays as you drive up to Artists Palette in the Parkwolf Death Valley Tour Guide.

More about Artists Palette

Why it looks like a paintingThose colors come from oxidized minerals in ancient volcanic deposits: iron gives reds, pinks,…

Those colors come from oxidized minerals in ancient volcanic deposits: iron gives reds, pinks, and yellows; decomposed mica skews green; manganese skews purples and lavenders. The palette pops most in soft light, which is why photographers swarm early and late in the day.

What you’ll doThere are no maintained trails here, but you can roam short distances on informal paths and…

There are no maintained trails here, but you can roam short distances on informal paths and sandy washes for different vantage points. If you’re comfortable with a brief scramble, a slot‑like canyon behind the viewpoint opens into wider terrain—an optional add‑on for curious explorers. Many visitors spend 30–45 minutes here; linger longer if you’re chasing compositions.

What you’ll seeRainbow badlands set against the Black Mountains, with eroded gullies and folds you can walk…

Rainbow badlands set against the Black Mountains, with eroded gullies and folds you can walk among.
From certain angles, glimpses beyond to paler valley features in the distance.

WildlifeDon’t expect much wildlife activity here; sources focus on scenery, and desert‑adapted animals…

Don’t expect much wildlife activity here; sources focus on scenery, and desert‑adapted animals are elusive. Think landscapes first, wildlife second.

PracticalitiesArtists Drive is one‑way with tight bends and dips—vehicles over about 25 feet aren’t permitted.

Artists Drive is one‑way with tight bends and dips—vehicles over about 25 feet aren’t permitted.
Amenities are minimal: parking, a vault toilet, and a wayside sign. No water, food, or shade—come prepared.
Multiple pullouts dot the drive, but the official lot at Artists Palette is the best jumping‑off point for short explorations.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Death Valley

All Death Valley wildlife maps

71 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

101 sightingsDesert TortoiseMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

458 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

28 sightingsFeral BurroMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

30 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

62 sightingsKit FoxMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Death Valley. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.