Artists Drive is a paved, one-way loop of about nine miles that winds through the foothills of the Black Mountains, and it is one of the most pleasant short drives in the park. The road dips and curves through narrow canyons and past hillsides streaked with color, then climbs to its best-known stop, Artists Palette. Here the slopes look as if a painter spilled pigments across the rock: shades of pink, green, purple, blue and gold, produced by the oxidation of different metals in volcanic deposits. Iron gives red and pink, mica gives green, and manganese gives purple. The effect is strongest in the late afternoon, when the low sun intensifies every shade. A short walk or scramble from the pull-out brings you close to the colors, and the view back toward the valley floor adds depth.
Why the colors
The rocks of the Black Mountains include ancient lake sediments and volcanic ash, and groundwater and weathering have changed the minerals over millions of years. Different metals oxidize into different hues, creating the patchwork effect. You can also spot the contrast between the dark volcanic rock above and the pale layers below. Information boards at the stops explain the process in simple terms.
How to visit
The loop starts about ten miles south of Furnace Creek on the Badwater Road and rejoins the road a few miles farther on. Traffic runs one way only, and vehicles longer than a certain length are not permitted because of tight bends, so check the park service for the current limit.
The drive itself takes twenty to thirty minutes without stops, but allow an hour to enjoy the pull-outs. The road can be closed after floods, so check conditions. There is no shade and no water at Artists Palette, so bring your own.
Making the most of it
Late afternoon is the best time, when the colors glow and the crowds thin. Photographers should bring a polarizing filter if they have one to deepen the saturation, and a wide-angle lens for the hills. The loop combines well with Badwater and the Devil's Golf Course for a south valley half day.
Cyclists use the road too, but it is narrow and shared with cars, so take care. The name comes from the painterly look of the hillside, and the loop is a good example of how Death Valley's beauty is often subtle and intimate rather than monumental. For visitors who find the big viewpoints crowded, this is a quieter and more relaxing alternative.
Extra tips
The loop is short enough to combine with Badwater and the Devils Golf Course in a single half day, and its pull-outs are small, so be patient when they are crowded. Walk a little way from the road at Artists Palette and look closely at the rock, where the pastel colors form delicate stripes and patches.
Notice how the colors shift as the sun moves, and how clouds can mute or intensify them. The road passes a few small canyons where shade is available in the afternoon, and children enjoy the roller-coaster dips. A map from the visitor center marks the best stops along the way.
What to expect
The experience
A paved one-way loop with pull-outs, ending at a colorful hillside called Artists Palette.
Best time
Late afternoon, when the low sun brings out the colors.
How long
Forty-five to ninety minutes.
Tips
One-way traffic with a vehicle length limit. Bring water; there is no shade at the palette.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers and anyone who likes an easy scenic drive.
- Families
- A good break from walking; children enjoy the winding road.
- Couples
- Beautiful in late-afternoon light.
- Pair with
- Badwater Basin and the Devil's Golf Course.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
How long is Artists Drive?+
About nine miles, one-way, on a paved road.
What causes the colors?+
Oxidation of metals in volcanic deposits: iron gives red and pink, mica gives green, manganese gives purple.
When is the best time?+
Late afternoon, when the sun is low and the colors are strongest.
Can RVs drive it?+
There is a vehicle length limit because of tight bends. Check with the park service.
Is it far from Furnace Creek?+
The entrance is about ten miles south on the Badwater Road.