Nestled in the heart of Death Valley National Park, Artist’s Palette is a breathtaking natural wonder that showcases a stunning array of colors splashed across the rugged desert landscape. This iconic spot, located along the scenic Artist’s Drive, owes its vibrant hues to mineral oxidation, creating a mesmerizing display of pinks, greens, yellows, and purples that look like a painter’s palette brought to life. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned adventurer, this guide will provide everything you need to know to experience Artist’s Palette Death Valley at its best—from the best times to visit and photography tips to the geological marvels that make it so unique. Get ready to be inspired by one of Death Valley’s most colorful attractions!
So let’s jump in to Artist’s Palette Death Valley: The Complete Guide!
- DEATH VALLEY MAP
- WEATHER IN DEATH VALLEY
- ARTIST’S PALETTE BASICS
- ARTIST’S PALETTE TRAIL SUMMARY
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ARTIST’S PALETTE
- THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO HIKE TO ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY
- ARE DOGS ALLOWED AT ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY?
- IS ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY OPEN YEAR-ROUND?
- WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT?
- DO I NEED A PERMIT OR RESERVATION TO VISIT ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY?
- WHAT SHOULD I WEAR AND PACK TO HIKE ARTIST’S PALETTE?
- LODGING IN DEATH VALLEY
- OTHER THINGS TO DO IN DEATH VALLEY
- MAP OF CALIFORNIA
- ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY: THE COMPLETE GUIDE
DEATH VALLEY MAP
Death Valley National Park is located in the eastern part of California, extending into western Nevada. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it is bordered by the Amargosa Range to the east and the Panamint Range to the west, with the park encompassing both vast arid valleys and rugged mountain terrain. The park is home to the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin, which lies 282 feet below sea level. It is easily accessible from cities like Las Vegas, which is about 120 miles to the east, and Los Angeles, approximately 270 miles to the southwest, making it a popular destination for both tourists and adventurers seeking its dramatic landscapes and extreme desert environment.
Check out our map below to not only see exactly where Death Valley National Park and Artists Palette are located, but over 450 other points of interest in California as well!
WEATHER IN DEATH VALLEY
Death Valley National Park is known for its extreme weather, marked by scorching heat in the summer and mild, pleasant winters. Summer temperatures often soar above 120°F (49°C), making it one of the hottest places on Earth. The park receives very little rainfall, averaging less than two inches annually, contributing to its arid desert environment. Winters, on the other hand, bring cooler daytime highs ranging from 60°F to 70°F (16°C to 21°C), with chilly nights that can drop near freezing. Spring and fall are transitional seasons with more moderate but volatile temperatures, making them popular times for visitors to explore the park’s striking landscapes without the intensity of summer heat. Our recommendation though, visit during the winter months. You’ll have far fewer crowds and very manageable temperatures!
ARTIST’S PALETTE BASICS
- DIFFICULTY – Easy
- LENGTH – 0.0mi / 0.0km (choose your own adventure!)
- ELEVATION GAIN – 100ft / 30m
- TIME NEEDED – As long as you prefer (we’d recommend 30 min – 1 hour)
- PET FRIENDLY – Pets are not permitted
ARTIST’S PALETTE TRAIL SUMMARY
To get to Artist’s Palette, you’ll first need to drive along the Artist’s Drive loop. Just north of Badwater Basis, off of Badwater Road, you’ll turn on to Artist’s Drive which is an 8-mile loop. About halfway on the drive, there will be a turnoff that leads to a small parking lot and overlook to Artist’s Palette. Now, you could easily just stop here, take in the views and snap a few photos, but you’d be missing out!
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!
From the overlook, you can hike down and in to the painted hills of Artist’s Palette. AllTrails and other trail maps will show that the official trail is 0.3mi, but the reality is that you’ll find numerous paths that lead in nearly all directions. And each direction offers different views and different perspectives. So our recommendation, is to plan to spend at LEAST 30 minutes walking around and exploring these magically painted hills. That being said, we found the most vibrant colors and the best views to be facing the north from the center of the painted hills. But that’s what makes this a choose your own adventure and so much fun. You never know what kind of view you might find!
TRAIL MAP OF ARTIST’S PALETTE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ARTIST’S PALETTE
THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO HIKE TO ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY
This is probably THE most important question of all. Because time of day will have the most impact on your experience here. Visiting during the middle of the day between the rough hours of 10am-3pm (depending on time of year), the harsh sunlight will wash out the colors of the painted hills. You’ll arrive and think “This is it?! — all those photos and videos I saw online were LIARS!”. But if you go during the blue or golden hours of the day, the colors POP! Our recommendation is to arrive just before sunset, when there is still sunlight shining above the mountains. And as the sun sets, and the sky gets darker, the colors will begin to really show. Trust us, you won’t regret it!
ARE DOGS ALLOWED AT ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY?
Disclaimer: Before we answer this question, we first want to say… If you are planning a visit to Death Valley National Park during the months of March to October, DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG. And most certainly DO NOT leave them in your vehicle. The temperatures in the park during those months is simply too hot. And because dogs are not allowed on nearly any trail, you do not want to be in a situation where you have to decide between skipping an activity or leaving your pet behind.
Ok, now to actually answer the question, no. Dogs are not permitted on the Artist’s Palette trail. They are however allowed in the parking lot and on the road. Which is the case for most of the park. So as we mentioned above, unless you are planning on visiting between November and February, we’d strongly recommend leaving your furry friend behind.
IS ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY OPEN YEAR-ROUND?
It sure is! With the exception of unexpected road closures or maintenance, Artist’s Palette is open year-round. It’s always a good idea to check current conditions in the park before visiting just to make sure there aren’t any major closures or restrictions.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT?
While there technically is no bad time to visit, we are quite fond of the winter months. Visiting between November and February means cooler temperatures, and less crowds. If you want to avoid the extreme heats of the summer, you can visit during March or October, but you will likely run in to larger crowds and less availability at accommodations. We go in to greater detail of the weather by season in our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK article.
DO I NEED A PERMIT OR RESERVATION TO VISIT ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY?
Good news! You do not. There is a standard fee of $30 per vehicle, which is good for 7 days, no matter the time of year you are visiting. If you are someone who lives in the Southern California / Western Nevada (or the surrounding area) and would like to visit Death Valley often, they do have a $55 annual pass that you can get as well. You can view all the entry and pass options HERE.
If you are someone like us who is either on a mission to visit every single National Park in the U.S., or plans to visit more than 2 or 3 U.S. national parks per year, then we’d highly recommend getting the America The Beautiful Pass. For $80, this annual pass gives you full access to all 63 National Parks in the U.S., as well as any federal recreational sites that charge a fee for entry. Stay at 3 National Parks and this easily pays for itself.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR AND PACK TO HIKE ARTIST’S PALETTE?
Depending on the month and season you visit, it could change what you need to bring with you. But there are some general basics that we think are must-packs and will make your experience much more enjoyable!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- Backpack / Daypack – Odds are you’re going to carry all of the below items in, so a good backpack or daypack like The North Face Recon is an absolute must!
- Water reservoir – For the longest time, we would pack both of our metal reusable water bottles in our daypacks, and not only did it add unnecessary weight, but it was also time consuming to stop and take our water bottles out of the backpack. We’ve since upgraded to the CamelBak Fusion 2L Reservoir, and it has been a game changer!
- Headlamps – Depending on how much time you spend on the hills, it could be dark out when you’re making your way back. That’s where headlamps come in handy. Our preferred and arguably the most popular, is the Black Diamond Spot 400.
- Hiking poles – Speaking of Black Diamond, they also make some of the best and most popular hiking and trekking poles. If you are someone who finds hiking to be easier with some extra stability support, then these are for you!
CLOTHING RECOMMENDATIONS
- Hiking boots – The type of footwear you wear, can literally make or break your hiking experience. We recommend a sturdy mid to high-ankle hiking boot like the Merrell Nova 3 due to some of the uneven rock and ground that you’ll be hiking on.
- Jackets & Layers – Layers are your friend. As you’re hiking around, your core temperature rises, and you’ll probably start feeling hot and sweaty. Then on the way back, the cooler temps as the sun goes down makes that moisture feel quite cool. So you’ll want moisture wicking layers like merino wool. Our personal favorites, are from Patagonia. Particularly their Capilene line.
- Socks – Speaking of merino wool, a good pair of merino wool socks will also go a long way in keeping your feet comfy, dry and let’s face it… Less smelly afterwards!
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
- Sun protection – Sun protection is crucial. Although we are recommending visiting when the sun is not at full force, it’s still incredibly important to bring proper sun protection for this park. We have found Sun Bum to be our go-to!
- Snacks – Whether you’re a chronic snacker like Katy, or just the casual when necessary snacker like me, it’s always good to have something on-hand just in case. A little protein can also go a long way in making your hike more enjoyable!
LODGING IN DEATH VALLEY
Because of the remoteness of this park, there aren’t many options when it comes to accommodations, unless you are willing to make a 45+ minute drive in and out of the park each day. We’re going to focus on places inside the park, but should you be interested in exploring places outside the park, we’d recommend looking HERE in places like Ridgecrest California, or the Las Vegas area in Nevada.
There are 2 hotels inside the park, both owned by the same company. The Ranch at Death Valley, and The Inn at Death Valley. Both locations are located in Furnace Creek which is the central and main area of the park, and truly look like oases in the middle of the desert. Lined with palm tree and beautiful grounds. You will definitely pay a premium at both locations, with rooms starting in the low $200s.
For those looking to tent-camp, or RV/camper camp, there are a number of developed campgrounds with water and electrical hookups, bathrooms and more. You can find the full list of them HERE. We stayed at the Furnace Creek Campground for our entire stay in the park, and absolutely loved it. It’s central to almost all activities, VERY reasonably priced ($22-$36/night), and felt very safe.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN DEATH VALLEY
There are a ton of things to do in Death Valley, and many of them are easy to do just like Artist’s Palette. If you’re interested to see what other soft adventures there in the park, check out our 5 SOFT ADVENTURE THINGS TO DO IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK article. If you want the full guide and list of things to do in Death Valley, check out our ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK article.
MAP OF CALIFORNIA
Want to see all of the different things to do in Death Valley National Park? If so, this map is for you. Not only does our interactive map of California have ALL the details and location info for Artist’s Palette and Death Valley National Park, but it also has over 450 other points of interest in California in it. With all of the location specific details and information like GPS location, dog-friendliness, cost, and more, as well as an itinerary creator, this map is the perfect trip planning companion.
Not much of a planner? No worries! We also have curated itineraries to make the planning process easier for you. And if that isn’t enough, book a call with us or have us create a custom itinerary for you! We are here to help!
ARTIST’S PALETTE DEATH VALLEY: THE COMPLETE GUIDE
Artist’s Palette Death Valley is a must-see destination for anyone exploring the striking landscapes of Death Valley National Park. Its vivid, otherworldly colors and unique geological history make it a highlight of the park and a dream for photographers and nature lovers alike. Whether you visit during the golden light of sunrise or the soft glow of sunset, Artists Palette promises an unforgettable experience that showcases the beauty and diversity of the desert. With this complete guide in hand, you’re ready to make the most of your trip. Don’t miss the chance to witness this natural masterpiece on your next Death Valley adventure!
Let us know what you thought of this or if you have any questions by leaving a comment below! Happy hiking!
