Zabriskie Point is an overlook of golden, wrinkled badlands near Furnace Creek in Death Valley, just off CA-190. The eroded ridges below it are the sediments of an ancient lakebed, and it ranks among the park's classic sunrise viewpoints.
Details
- Type
- Overlook
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
The badlands at Zabriskie Point belong to the Furnace Creek Formation, mudstones and siltstones laid down in a lake that dried up long before the present valley formed. Erosion has carved the soft rock into the maze of ridges and gullies below the overlook, with the dark-capped peak of Manly Beacon standing out in the view. The point is named for Christian Brevoort Zabriskie, an executive of the Pacific Coast Borax Company, which mined borax in the valley.
What to See
A short paved path climbs from the parking area to the overlook. From there, trails drop into the badlands and connect to Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch for longer loops. Light at sunrise and sunset brings out the gold and brown banding.
Know Before You Go
The overlook is an easy walk and crowded at sunrise. There is no water at the site, though Furnace Creek has services a few minutes away. Stay on the trails, since the badlands erode easily and footprints scar them.