Badwater Basin

Badwater Road, 17 miles south of Furnace Creek · Furnace Creek, CA

Why you should go…

Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in North America, 282 feet below sea level. An accessible ramp leads to a wooden boardwalk beside a small pool that is home to a snail found only here, and from there you can walk out onto salt flats that cover nearly 200 square miles and form geometric polygons. Look up at the Black Mountains behind you to spot the sea level sign high on the cliff. The National Park Service advises against hiking here after 10 am in summer.

#salt flats
#death valley
#national park
#lowest point
#easy hike

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Badwater Basin, ordered by straight-line distance.

Sport & Outdoor
Iconic
Death Valley National Park
$25–$50
Drive a below-sea-level desert basin of salt flats, sand dunes, badlands and snow-capped peaks.
15 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor