Dante's View

Perched at nearly 5,500 feet above Death Valley, Dante's View delivers one of the most dramatic overlooks in the American West, with Badwater Basin's salt flats shimmering far below and the Panamint Range rising sharply across the valley. The elevation difference of more than 11,000 feet between the basin and the peaks gives you a sense of scale that is hard to match anywhere else. Shoot toward the valley floor at sunrise when long shadows emphasize the texture of the salt flats and warm light catches the ridgelines, or turn around and frame the winding switchbacks of Dante's View Road descending through the Funeral Mountains. A wide angle lens handles the expansive panorama well, while a telephoto lets you compress the layers of ridges in the distance. The road to the viewpoint is paved and accessible by car, though it closes to vehicles over 25 feet. Arrive early to beat the heat and the tour buses. (Death Valley, California, United States)