Zabriskie Point Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
There is absolutely no shade on this trail, and ground temperatures can exceed air temperature by 30-40 degrees — if it's above 90F at the trailhead, the radiant heat off the pale rock will cook you. Stick to early morning or late afternoon from May through September.
The trail edges along some eroded ridgelines where the drop-offs aren't dramatic but the footing is loose — keep kids close and watch your step on the narrower sections, especially if the surface is dusty and slick.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Arrive 30-40 minutes before sunrise to claim a parking spot and hike past the crowded overlook while everyone else is still jockeying for selfie position — the golden light on the badlands behind the viewpoint is arguably better than the main vista.
Wear shoes with decent tread — the mudstone surface crumbles like stale cake, and a few short sections slope enough to send you sliding in sandals or smooth-soled sneakers.
Continue past where most people turn around and drop into the badlands toward Manly Beacon for a perspective that makes the formations look massive — this is where the best wide-angle photography happens, with layered ridgelines receding into the distance.
