Photograph Dante's View of Death Valley

In all of Death Valley National Park, Dante's View might just be the best spot to watch the light fade away after a long day. Unfortunately, it is one of the highly missed spots along the Highway 190 Death Valley route. This might be due to the fact that it is about 15 miles off of the highway, but the drive up alone is worth the trip.

To get there from Highway 190 in Death Valley, drive east, look for and take the right hand turn onto Furnace Creek Road (about 90 miles after entering the park). Stay right as Furnace Creek turns into Dante's View Road, which ends at the lookout point.

After the 15 mile drive, you reach the top where you will find a parking lot. The walk to the edge isn't far and there are even trails that deviate and go along the top of the mountain for a breath-taking view down 5,500 ft into the 200 ft below sea level Badwater Basin, the lowest point in America). From up there, Badwater Road looks thinner than a thread. Telescope Peak (the highest point in the park) is juxtaposed just across the valley. Under the dramatic morning or evening light, the views are breathtaking in all four directions. It almost feels like cheating to be able to drive up to such epic views.