Father Crowley Vista Point sits above Rainbow Canyon on the west side of Death Valley, off CA-190 near the Panamint Springs end of the park. It overlooks a volcanic canyon striped with color and is one of the best places in the country to watch low-flying military jets train below the rim.
Details
- Type
- Overlook
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
Rainbow Canyon takes its colors from old volcanic rock and its nickname, Star Wars Canyon, from the fighter jets that thread through it on training runs. The airspace is part of the military's R-2508 Complex, used since the 1930s, and pilots sometimes fly below the level of the overlook. The point is named for Father John J. Crowley, an Inyo County priest in the 1930s who often stopped here for the view.
What to See
A short walk from the parking area reaches the main overlook above the canyon, with the Panamint Range and the valley beyond to the east. Jet flights are unpredictable and not scheduled; some days bring several runs and others none.
Know Before You Go
There are vault toilets at the parking area but no water; the nearest services are at Panamint Springs. Stay back from the unfenced canyon rim. Weekdays tend to see more flight activity than weekends, though nothing is guaranteed.