Zabriskie Point Sunset

Zabriskie Point Sunset Introduction

Zabriskie Point is a must-see if you’re looking for one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Death Valley National Park. Located in California’s iconic desert landscape, Zabriskie Point offers spectacular views and a stunning backdrop, making it one of the best places to watch the sunset.  A Zabriskie Point Sunset is something you don’t want to miss.

As the sun sets, Zabriskie Point is bathed in a warm, golden light that illuminates the beautiful formations of the Amargosa Range and its unique terrain. The sun’s rays reflect off the diverse landforms, creating an unforgettable sunset experience. 

Zabriskie Point is also a great spot to take photos of the surrounding landscape and capture some of the most beautiful moments of your visit. Whether you’re looking for romance or a place to relax, Zabriskie Point is an ideal spot to watch the sunset in Death Valley National Park.  Don’t miss out on this fantastic experience!  Make sure to plan your trip and add Zabriskie Point sunset to your list of must-sees.   

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Walking To Zabriskie Point

You’ll park in a small parking lot designated for Zabriskie Point. There is a short walk to the Zabriskie Point overlook, though it is an uphill walk.

At the top of the overlook are a few benches where you can sit to admire the views.

The Sunset Experience at Zabriskie Point

As the sun sets, you’ll witness a beautiful dance of colors on the mountain sides.  Hues of orange and red paint a dramatic scene.  

Expect to share the event with a group of like-minded onlookers. Upon our arrival to view the sunset at Zabriskie Point, we saw several people who arrived early enough to set their cameras on tripods to capture the moment. As the sun starts to descend, the assembled group often shares a moment of calm and silence as the beautiful moment occurs.

If you plan to take photographs here with your DSLR mounted on a tripod, plan to arrive an hour or even two before sunset.  That should give you ample time to find a good spot for your photography equipment.

It is a beautiful place in Death Valley to watch the sunset. 

And after the sun goes down, you can stay longer for stargazing in the night sky.

Hiking At Zabriskie Point

Many people who arrive at Zabriskie Point admire the vistas from the main viewing area. However, you can also make an adventure from your stop in the area and hike to Zabriskie Point.  There is a 2.5-mile out-and-back hike with a 600-foot elevation gain. The hike takes roughly 1-2 hours to complete. 

Tips For Great Sunset Photographs

Aperture: Select a high f-stop number (e.g., f/11 to f/16) to get a large depth of field

Focus: Manual focus may be your best option as the sun begins to descend.

Exposure: Consider dialing down your exposure to minimize sunlight blowing out your exposure. You can bring back elements in post-production if you’ve dialed down your exposure, but if you take a blown-out photo, you won’t get the lost details back in post-production.

ISO: Keep it as low as possible to avoid graininess but at a setting where you can dial in the desired aperture setting

White Balance: Your automatic setting should be fine, though experimenting with optional settings on your camera can accentuate color tones in your image. You can experiment by taking photos with different white balance settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Zabriskie Point Sunset

Do I Have To Plan For A Long Hike To Reach Zabriskie Point To See Sunset?

No.  You can experience an incredible sunset from the main viewing area, a short but uphill walk from the main parking lot.

How Do You Get To Zabriskie Point?

Zabriskie Point is located about 15 minutes from Furnace Creek.  From the Furnace Creek area, drive southeast on Highway 109 for about 4 miles. Turn right into the Zabriskie Point parking lot.

Zabriskie Point address: Zabriskie Point Road, Death Valley National Park, Death Valley, CA 92328

Zabriskie Point coordinates: 36.42085, -116.8099 (36° 25′ 15.1″N 116° 48′ 35.6″W)

Where Should I Stay in Death Valley?

Check out our guide – Where To Stay in Death Valley – Your Guide to 18 Top Places

What Should I Wear To Watch Sunset At Zabriskie Point?

When the sun descends, expect cooler temperatures. It can get very chilly at certain times of the year, so bring a sweater and jacket.

What Should I Listen To At Zabriskie Point?

How about you load the Zabriskie Point soundtrack on your listening device?  The Zabriskie Point soundtrack album to the Michelangelo Antonioni film of the same name was released in 1970 – an excellent year for music. This album features music by Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, and the Kaleidoscope.

An updated version of the recording was released in 1997 with bonus tracks by Jerry Garcia and Pink Floyd.

Before your trip, you might watch the film Zabriskie Point. Make a DVD night of it.

Another listening choice is the Joshua Tree album by U2.  The view at Zabriskie Point is featured on the cover of this recording. That’s right – it is not an image from Joshua Tree National Park.

Who is Zabriskie Point Named After?

Zabriskie Point is named after Christian Zabriskie, who served as the general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company in the early 1900s. Christian’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the geological processes helped identify potential areas for borax mining, ultimately leading to the discovery of the unique landscape that we now know as Death Valley. 

Christian’s legacy lives on in this stunning viewpoint, a testament to his dedication and passion for exploring the natural world.  So next time you visit Zabriskie Point, remember Christian Zabriskie and his incredible contributions to Death Valley National Park.  And make time to experience an unforgettable sunset at the spot that bears his name.

When Is Sunset At Zabriskie Point?

The best thing to do is look up the actual sunset tables online for the day of your visit.  From a general perspective, here are approximate times you’ll find the sunset at Death Valley:

• January to March: 4:42pm – 7:08pm
• April to June: 7:09pm – 8:09pm
• July to September: 8:09pm – 6:32pm
• October to December: 6:31pm – 4:41pm

Zabriskie Point – Know Before You Go

✈️ Closest Airport: Las Vegas McCarren (LAS)

⏰ Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8)

Watch our YouTube From Zabriskie Point

Listen To Our Death Valley Podcast Featuring Zabriskie Point

Zabriskie Point – Plan Your Visit To Experience A Beautiful Sunset

Make a plan to visit Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park.  It’s an iconic location and one of the best spots in the park to experience sunset.

Read Our Other Posts To Plan Your Death Valley Trip

One Day Death Valley Itinerary – 9 Awesome Stops

6 Awesome Death Valley Sand Dunes – Your Complete Guide

Death Valley Gas Stations Guide to Keep You On The Road

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