Parking
Paved parking at Zabriskie Point on CA-190, about 3.5 miles east of Badwater Road; the lot has large sites for buses and RVs. A vault toilet is in the parking lot.
Overview
About Badlands Loop (Zabriskie Point)
Badlands Loop is a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) moderate loop through the colorful eroded badlands below Zabriskie Point. The National Park Service estimates 1.5–2 hours round trip and about 535 feet (163 m) of elevation gain.
Why go
- Immediate access from the iconic Zabriskie Point overlook
- Close-up views of colorful badlands, narrow drainages, and sculpted lakebed hills
- A compact loop with strong scenery and a clear official route description
Heads up
- No shade and dangerous heat exposure during hot weather
- Loose footing and maze-like drainages require attention at small signed junctions
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Death Valley map
Full mapElevation308–676 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
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 Badlands Loop (Zabriskie Point), 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 trailhead
Zabriskie Point: A Famous View and a Trail into the BadlandsListen
“You're approaching Zabriskie Point, which offers what might be the single most famous view in Death Valley. A short paved path leads to an overlook with a huge panorama of colorful, rippling badlands.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Death Valley Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Roller-Coaster Drive Through Twenty Mule Team Canyon
- Gower Gulch: The Famous Loop's Finale
- Golden Canyon's Famous Hike and Loop Trail
- Desolation Canyon: A Quieter Badlands Hike
- 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!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Badlands Loop (Zabriskie Point)
Route and highlightsThe hike starts at the Zabriskie Point parking area, follows the signed access path into the…
The hike starts at the Zabriskie Point parking area, follows the signed access path into the badlands, and winds through narrow drainages and sculpted lakebed hills before returning to the overlook area. Small signs mark the major intersections, so follow the route carefully through the maze-like terrain. The loop offers close views of Death Valley’s yellow, red, and brown badlands and broad views toward landmarks including Manly Beacon and Red Cathedral.
Trail feel and difficultyThis is a moderate desert loop with loose or uneven footing and repeated short ups and downs.
This is a moderate desert loop with loose or uneven footing and repeated short ups and downs. The route is exposed and has no shade. Carry ample water, protect yourself from the sun, and avoid hot-weather starts; desert heat can become dangerous quickly.
Trailhead and accessZabriskie Point is on CA-190, about 3.5 miles east of Badwater Road.
Zabriskie Point is on CA-190, about 3.5 miles east of Badwater Road. The paved parking area accommodates large vehicles, and a vault toilet is in the parking lot. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
EssentialsLength: 2.7 miles (4.3 km) total loop
- Length: 2.7 miles (4.3 km) total loop
- Time: 1.5–2 hours round trip
- Elevation gain: about 535 feet (163 m)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Route type: Loop
- Dogs: Not allowed
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.
