Artists Palette is a hillside of red, pink, green, and purple mineral colors on the one-way Artists Drive, off Badwater Road on the east side of Death Valley. The colors come from oxidized metals in ancient volcanic deposits, and they show best in late-afternoon light.
Details
- Type
- Point of Interest
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
The colors at Artists Palette sit in volcanic ash and rock laid down millions of years ago. Iron compounds make the reds, pinks, and yellows; weathered mica turns some slopes green; manganese adds the purples. The palette is the visual high point of Artists Drive, a roughly 9-mile one-way scenic road that climbs through eroded badlands and washes.
Getting There
Artists Drive turns off Badwater Road about 10 miles south of CA-190 and runs one-way northbound. It has sharp dips and tight curves and is closed to vehicles over 25 feet. A short walk from the Artists Palette pullout gets you closer to the colored slopes.
Know Before You Go
Late afternoon light brings out the colors; midday sun flattens them. Stay off the slopes, which scar easily and recover slowly. Summer heat here is severe, so carry water even for a short stop.