Artists Palette – Death Valley National Park
Hike up a canyon to see the beautiful Artists Palette – colorful badlands at the base of the Black Mountains.
Total Distance: Approx. 0.4 mile lollipop loop | Elevation Gain: 147ft. (603ft. to 713ft.) |
Difficulty: Easy | 0-5 Mile Difficulty: Moderate |
View Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars | Author’s Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
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Pets: No | Horses: No |
Best Seasons: November-April | Special Permits: None |
Water Availability: None | Overnight Options: None |
Trailhead Amenities: Primitive restrooms | Crowd Factor: Crowded |
Trailhead Access: 0.8 | |
Uses: ![]() ![]() ![]() | Trail Surface: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Features: ![]() ![]() ![]() | Hazards: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mile-by-Mile: Artists Palette
0.0 Trailhead at Artists Palette (621ft.). Walk down the steps into the wash. While there are many routes you could take – it seems like many people scramble to their heart’s content here – we’re going to go across the wash and take a side wash into the mountains. A short distance later, we’ll take the second side wash to head north toward the colorful areas of the hills. Eventually, you’ll come to the colorful rocks and hillsides. From here, you can retrace your steps back down the side wash to explore another side wash, or you can scramble over the hillside to the right (north) and back down to the main wash. This guide does the latter, winding its way through the colorful area of Artists Palette, back to the wash, and then back to the trailhead. (36.363619°, -116.802621°)
0.4 Trailhead at Artists Palette (621ft.). (36.363619°, -116.802621°)
History & More
There are no official trails to or through Artists Palette. Any hiking you do will be by exploration only – which means you can discover slot canyons, rocks, and so much more along the way!
Use care while hiking through the badlands. Scrambling is fun, but the hillsides are often gravelly and slippery.
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 Route Map
Driving Directions
The parking area is 4.5 miles from the beginning of Artists Palette Road along the Badwater Road – be sure to turn right toward Artists Palette after 4.3 miles.
Remember, it may be easier to climb up dryfalls than down them (or vice versa). Be sure you can climb in the other direction before climbing up or down a dryfall.
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
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.)