Artists Palette — Local services in Beatty

Artist’s Pallet is one of the most unique features about Death Valley. By this point in your trip through the park, you will have seen colors you did not know could exist in a desert, and Artist’s Pallet is perhaps the pinnacle of that experience. Shades of green, purple, pink splattered throughout white and brown formations are truly magical.

To get there, you go through a one-way road that leads you to the Pallet. You will turn off and follow the signage. When you arrive, there is ample parking (limited-ish spots, but people park where they reasonably can), and there is a viewing platform right at the parking lot. For those more adventurous, you can journey down into the Pallet and walk around. Once you descend, there are flat grounds and hills you can explore. When you are ready to leave, you exit following the signage through the same one-way road. Drive slow as the road is narrow, and there is also a lot to see along the way.

Pro Tip: If you come when the sun is shining too strongly (i.e. late morning through early afternoon), the sun can mute out the colors, so the Pallet may not look as vibrant or colorful as you would expect. Coming during dawn or dusk if possible really allows these colors to stand out.

Pro Tip on the Pro Tip: The funny thing about Death Valley is that most of the main attractions are best viewed during dawn and sunrise or dusk and sunset. And with the sheer distance between them all, you really need to prioritize where you are going to spend that time. I only got to spend one day in Death Valley, and Artist’s Pallet’s relatively central location meant that it was more of an early afternoon stop (on the way to Mesquite Sand Dunes for the sunset). One thing I noticed is that wearing polarized sunglasses corrected the muting effect on the sun, so I was able to see the different colors more vividly than when I took my sunglasses...

My visit to Artist's Palette in Death Valley left me in absolute awe. This place is a geological masterpiece, and here's my take on it:

Vibrant Colors: The mineral deposits in the hills create a surreal, almost surreal landscape of colors. It's like nature got creative with a paintbrush.

Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon offers the best lighting to capture those mesmerizing hues with your camera. I would recommend visit immediate after it rains. Rain enhances the color of minerals drastically.

Pro Tips: Drive the one-way Artist's Drive for the best views. Parking can be tight, so plan to visit during quieter hours if possible.

Short Hike: There's a short, easy trail from the parking area that takes you right into the heart of the colorful hills. It's suitable for all skill levels.

Other Nearby Sights: While you're in the area, don't miss the nearby Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Golden Canyon for more fantastic hikes and photo ops.

Those vibrant colors tell an ancient story. Artist's Palette is a unique and enchanting stop in Death Valley National...

This is such an amazing place with some of the most gorgeous desert landscaping views. I can not emphasize enough how beautiful it is! 🤩 An awesome natural designation to take your other half for an outdoor adventure. It’s best to go during late fall to early spring @ the latest due to the temperature during the summer months🌡🥵. Designated hiking trails with numerous routes with varying lengths and difficulty levels... restrooms (glorified out house, but still 😂) and free parking. Trail on the left is possible to utilize for wheel chair access due to it being sloped similar to a ramp, although much steeper. So wheel chair accessible at points accompanied by the assistance of either an electric motor or a sidekick that didn’t skip out on leg day...