Hike Zabriskie Point's Badlands Loop in Death Valley, California
The Zabriskie Point’s Badlands Loop is a 2.7 mile loop that showcases the golden colored hills and canyons in Death Valley. It is one of the most popular hikes in all of Death Valley and makes for an incredible location to watch the sunrise. Be sure to bring enough water, as Death Valley is the hottest place on planet Earth.
The hikes at Zabriskie Point Trailhead area a wondrous labyrinth of beautiful landscapes of golden hills and canyons. The hikes range from the smaller Badlands Loop at 2.7 miles to the longer Gower Gulch at 3.5 miles. The entire landscape is beautiful any time of the day but it’s really highlighted at the early light of sunrise.
The Bandlands Loop puts hikers right in the center of the arid terrain of Death Valley. These dry, barren areas are too hot to support much vegetation but are excellent for our thrill-seeking adventures. On our hike we started out at the Zabriskie Point parking lot. From there we hit the trails. The hike displays some impressive rock formations and amazing 360-degree views of the golden hills.
The day we did the hike temperatures reached 120 degrees. The trail is completely exposed to the sun with no shade so water and shady accessories are strongly encouraged. Of course, bring plenty of water and follow the signs. They can be a little confusing but they aren’t hard to follow.
Cost of Adventure
- Per vehicle: $30 (for 7 days)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total distance: 2.7 miles
- Calories burned: 300 – 600
- Time suggested: 2 hour
- Family friendly: YES
- Park size: 3,422,024 acres
Challenge Yourself
The trailhead at Zabriskie Point is the starting point for several hikes and it’s the starting point for the challenge that awaits you. This trail is the most popular in Death Valley for a reason. Your challenge here is to capture one of Zabriskie Point’s most iconic photos.
Find Great Photo Ops
The views from Zabriskie Point are some of the most photographed in Death Valley National Park. Take the opportunity here to capture some incredible photos that will impress even the best photographers.
