Death Valley is one of the most fascinating places I have visited so far and offers a variety of places that are truly unique. This blog post list the top photo spots in Death Valley that you should not miss out on when visiting this National Park.
We only had 2 days to hit all these spots so we were not able to do any hikes. If you have more time I would definitely plan 3-4 days so you have the options to visit these spots for sunrise or sunset and are able to do some hikes during the day.
Badwater Basin Salt Flats
Another one of the top photo spots in Death Valley is Badwater Basin. It is the lowest point in North America with -282 feet / 82 meters below sea level. You can walk along the salt flats in several directions that all offer great photo opportunities. From the parking lot, it takes about 20 minutes to reach the flats and from there you can decide if you walk further or not. Make sure to pack some water and some sun protection since it can get really hot around there. There is no shade at all. We went in the morning during January and it was a bit cold but warmed up super quick. During the summer months, the temperature is already super high during sunrise.
Artist’s Palette
Artist’s Palette is probably one of my top photo spots in Death Valley. The colorful canyons that are formed through minerals range from pink and teal to beige and yellow hues and make the canyons look like a painting. We walked around the area and took photos from several angles for about 2-3 h and were there during noon. I feel like the colors are more intense when you visit when the sun is at its highest point. Thus, I would not recommend coming for a sunrise or a sunset photoshoot.
Mesquite Sand Dunes
The Mesquite Sand Dunes for sure are considered as one of the top photo spots in Death Valley. To be honest, I have not imagined them being so huge and wide. Plan some extra time for the hike from the parking lot to the actual sand dunes. Especially, when you are planning to take some photos in the middle of the dunes. Walking on the sand dunes is harder than I thought and takes longer. Plus, finding the right spot is more tricky than I thought. I suggest coming for sunset because the light during sunset is so magical and it is just such a unique experience to watch the sunset on the sand dunes.
Zabriskie Point
One of my highlights was Zabriskie Point. There are so many photo opportunities at Zabriskie point and that’s why it is one of the top photo spots in Death Valley. Besides plenty of view points for photos, you can also do a bunch of hikes during the canyons. During this trip, we did not have the time to do any hikes but I save some for my next visit.
Devil’s Golf Course
One top photo spot in Death Valley that also should be on your list is Devil’s Golf Course. We only had time for a quick stop there and were able to snap some photos. This spot makes a dramatic photoshoot location.
If you enjoyed this blogpost you might be interested in The most insta worthy spots in Las Vegas, Best Places to see near Page Arizona, or How to Spend 4 Days in Sedona.
