Artists Drive – Death Valley National Park
Take a winding paved road through the foothills of the Black Mountains to the spectacular Artists Palette and Star Wars film site.
Total Distance: 9.2 miles point to point (one-way) | Elevation Gain: 1,682ft. up, 1,720ft. down (-203ft. to 946ft.) |
Road Difficulty: 0.8 | Bicycle Difficulty: More Difficult |
View Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
Visitor Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] | Visitor Difficulty Rating: (Click to rate) [Total: 0 Average: 0] |
Pets: Leashed | Horses: No |
Best Seasons: October-May | Special Permits: None. Vehicle length is restricted to less than 25ft. |
Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
Amenities: Primitive restrooms at Artists Palette | Crowd Factor: Moderate to Crowded |
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Mile-by-Mile: Artists Drive
0.0 Entrance to Artist Drive (-163ft.). The scenic drive begins by shooting straight for the Black Mountains (east), but it fairly quickly begins its winding travel to and through the foothills. Occasional pullouts allow you to pull over to enjoy the views or let other cars pass. (36.329933°, -116.829965°)
1.5 First major pullout on right (southeast) (324ft.). Park here to take a short hike up the hillside for views down on Badwater Basin. Then continue on Artists Drive as it winds through the foothills with views of the nearby mountains. Another pulloff about mile 2.5 showcases some pink cliffs. At this point, you’re driving across a type of plain with mountains (colorful cliffs) on the right and hills on the left. The road dips into a wash and then continues along the plain before repeating the dip-wash-plain maneuver. You’ll pass pulloffs about mile 3.0 and 3.6. (36.332704°, -116.805969°)
4.3 Spur to Artists Palette on right (east) (579ft.). Turn right to Artists Palette (the junction is signed). This is the one part of the Artists Palette Scenic Drive that allows two-way traffic. (36.363735°, -116.805616°)
4.5 Artists Palette Parking Area (623ft.). Stop here to look at the beautiful colors of Artist Palette. While you don’t have to hike, you can choose to scramble up the canyon to get a closer-up view of the colorful rocks and badlands. When you’re done looking at it, return to your vehicle and drive back down to the main road of Artists Drive and turn right (you can’t turn left because it’s a one-way road). The remainder of the drive is less interesting than what you’ve seen before, as it follows a small wash with tan, low canyon walls, though at times the rocks are colorful. Pass pulloffs about mile 5.0, 5.7, 6.0, 7.0, and 7.6. At last, exit the hills to views down on Badwater Flats and the Panamint Mountains across the valley. From here, it’s a quick, straight shot down to the Badwater Road. (36.363451°, -116.802726°)
9.2 Badwater Road (end of Artist Drive) (-203ft.). Turn left to go to Badwater Basin or right to return to CA-190 and Furnace Creek. (36.381706°, -116.851133°)
History & More
Artists Drive is a one-way road, with traffic traveling south to north. The NPS figures you’ll spend at least 30 minutes on the driving tour.
Artists Drive is paved. However, it’s narrow and winding, so large RVs and vehicles with trailers shouldn’t attempt it. The National Park Service restricts the length to 25ft.
The small hump of ground on the other side of Badwater Road from the exit to Artists Drive is called Mars Hill.
I visited Artist Pallette about noon one day in May and was highly unimpressed. Maybe I needed lunch, maybe in was 102F in the shade, or maybe the colors are much better in the morning or evening.
Scenes from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope were filmed in the badlands of Artist Palette. One memorable scene (where R2-D2 enters a canyon at sunset) is in the wash right next to the Artist Palette Parking Area. Scenes of half a dozen Jawas carrying R2-D2 to their Sandcrawler were reshot nearby in 1977. To represent the Jawas, the children of park employees were recruited from the local elementary school.
The colors in the badlands and rocks of Death Valley are formed from a mix of minerals, most of which are different forms of iron that have oxidized when exposed to the air. In general, Yellow Rock = Limonite, Purple Rock = Hematite, Red/Orange Rock = Hematite, and Green/Blue Rock = Chlorite or Nontronite.
Download Road Map
Trailhead Location
Southern terminus (entrance): Badwater Road 8.6 miles south of CA-190 and 7.9 miles north of Badwater Basin.
Leave No Trace Principles are enforced
Drones and model aircrafts are prohibited
Camping is permitted only in designated sites or in areas open to dispersed backcountry camping
Click here for all park rules and regulations
12 Month Pass: $55/Death Valley Annual Pass (valid at Death Valley National Park). $80/America the Beautiful Annual Pass (valid at all national park and federal fee areas). $20/Annual Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/4th Grade Pass (Valid Sept. 1-August 31 of the child’s 4th Grade school year). Free/Military Pass (valid for all active military personel and their dependents with a CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
Lifetime Pass: $80/Lifetime Senior Pass (62 years or older US citizens; valid at all national park and federal fee areas). Free/Access Pass (available to all US citizens with perminent disabilities). Free/Access for Veterans and Gold Star Families Pass (valid for all military and veterans with a CAC card, Veteran HJealth Identification Card, Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on state-issued drivers license or identification card.)