Best time to visit
Mid to late afternoon gives the most flattering light across the Black Mountains and salt flats. Heat is severe much of the year, so keep stops short in the warmer months. Crowds are typically light throughout the day.
Overview
About Mormon Point View
A small signed stop along Badwater Road about 16 miles south of Badwater, Mormon Point View is a low‑key overlook where the playa meets the Black Mountains. It’s the kind of pull-over you make when you want the big Death Valley look without the big Death Valley crowd.
Why stop
- Wide panorama of the Black Mountains and salt pan
- Quiet, easy roadside stop
Heads up
- No services or shade
- Extreme heat much of the year
If you like quiet, scenic pauses between headliners, this is a solid pick. The juxtaposition of flat salt pan and steep, colorful mountains is textbook Death Valley—great for quick photos and a moment of solitude.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy GoMap
Where it is
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Full mapLocal know-how
Tips for visiting Mormon Point View
Watch for a small sign; the best stop is slightly north of it.
Aim for mid to late afternoon for the most flattering light.
Bring plenty of water and sun protection—there are no services here.
Don’t expect restrooms or shade; keep summer stops brief.
Plan your stop
Before you go
Best time to visit
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
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Death Valley Tour Guide
Your drive to Mormon Point View, 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 tourRecorded for this area
Tiny Survivors: Death Valley’s PupfishListen
“Believe it or not, there are fish in Death Valley. They’re called pupfish, and they’re basically living fossils from the last Ice Age.”
Plays on the road 0.4 mi from Mormon Point View in the Parkwolf Death Valley Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
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- 130 audio storiesacross Death Valley’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Bighorn Sheep, Desert Tortoise, Coyote, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 36 trails, 114 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
More about Mormon Point View
What You’ll SeeExpect a sweeping view toward the Black Mountains with the bright white salt pan in the…
Expect a sweeping view toward the Black Mountains with the bright white salt pan in the foreground. There’s also a small spring near the edge of the playa that adds a surprising touch of green in this otherwise stark scene.
WildlifeWildlife isn’t the draw here, but that small spring can occasionally attract birds and other…
Wildlife isn’t the draw here, but that small spring can occasionally attract birds and other passersby. Don’t bank on sightings; treat anything you see as a bonus.
Know Before You GoThere are no facilities—no restrooms, water, or shade—so arrive self‑sufficient.
There are no facilities—no restrooms, water, or shade—so arrive self‑sufficient. The sign is small and easy to miss; the best stopping spot is just north of the sign around the bend. Summer heat can be dangerous; plan accordingly.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Death Valley
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 mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Death Valley. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
