DVNP - Sunrise at Dante’s View: Finding the Light the Hard Way

 

Sunrise at Dante’s View begins long before the sun even hints at the horizon. It starts in complete darkness, with headlights cutting through the silence of Death Valley and a quiet confidence that you know exactly where you are going.

I didn’t turn on my GPS. I was sure I remembered the turnoff. I had seen the sign clearly the day before and trusted that I would spot it again just as easily in the dark.

I didn’t.

Instead, I drove all the way to the park entrance before realizing I had gone too far. I turned around and carefully retraced my route, only to pass the turnoff again and continue on toward Zabriskie Point. That was my pause-and-reset moment. I pulled over, dropped a pin on the map, and finally confirmed where I was and where I needed to be.

As I approached the turnoff for the third time, I slowed to a crawl. Even knowing it was there, the sign was surprisingly difficult to read in the low light. Once found, the road climbed another 13 miles, winding steadily upward on dark, curving pavement that demanded patience and focus.

At the top, all of that effort instantly made sense.

The view from Dante’s View is vast and humbling. At this time of year, there were very few people, and parking was effortless. For practical travelers, there is also a restroom about half a mile before the viewpoint, which is good to know when you are starting your day before dawn.

Then the sun arrived.

It rose cleanly over the distant mountains and burst into a brilliant star, sending light across the valley floor. As the shadows retreated, the scale of Death Valley became clear. Miles and miles unfolded below, sharp and detailed in the early light. Soon, the water that has filled parts of the valley reflected the pale blue sky, creating a quiet mirror that softened the harshness of the landscape.

Standing there, watching the light move and transform everything it touched, the missed turns and extra miles faded away. Sunrise at Dante’s View is not just about the destination. It is about earning the moment, navigating uncertainty, and arriving just in time to watch the desert wake up in spectacular fashion.

Note: When I finally arrived at Dante's View, everyone was getting the gear out of the car.  Z walked up to me and asked me if I needed help.  I told him that I needed to reduce my frustration level because I drove past the turnoff twice.  He smiled and told me that their car, following Ron and Beth, had missed it too.  I was instantly relieved. He is a saint.

Dante’s View

• Route:

  • Take CA-190 east

  • Turn left onto Furnace Creek Road

  • Turn right onto Dante’s View Road

• Distance: ~25 miles

• Drive time: ~45 minutes

• Notes: Steep, winding final climb. Colder and windier than the valley floor.