Sightseeing

Badwater Basin

📍 Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California, USA

1 photos

4.2/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: USA, California
Category: Sightseeing
Duration: Plan 30 min–1 hr including salt flat boardwalk.
Opening Hours: Park open 24h; Badwater boardwalk by day (extreme heat in summer, caution).
Ticket Price: Park entrance fee per vehicle, valid 7 days.
Address: Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Coordinates: 36.2309, -116.7847

Introduction

Badwater Basin is North America's lowest point, about 86 m below sea level, named when early explorers found its water too bitter to drink. The basin floor spreads a shimmering salt flat — hexagonal salt crystals left by evaporating groundwater, like a snowfield you can walk via a boardwalk, though the 'snow' is salt. Red mountains ring it; summer ground temperatures can exceed 50°C, among Earth's hottest. With nearby 3,368 m Telescope Peak it forms the greatest relief in the Lower 48 — an extreme contrast that defines Death Valley's drama.

✨ Highlights

Lowest Point

~86 m below sea level.

Salt Snow

Hexagonal crystals like snow.

Boardwalk

Step onto flats without harm.

Extreme Relief

Huge gap with Telescope Peak.

Hottest Earth

Summer ground over 50°C.

Beautiful Lonely

Solitude ringed by red hills.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best season：Nov–Mar

→Duration：30 min–1 hr

→Fee：National park entrance

→Summer：Extreme heat; don't linger

→Gear：Lots of water

→Opening Hours：Park open 24h; Badwater boardwalk by day (extreme heat in summer, caution).

→Ticket Information：Park entrance fee per vehicle, valid 7 days.

→Transportation：SE California in Death Valley NP; about 2 hrs NW of Las Vegas.

💡 Tips

• Summer: only dawn/dusk short visits.

• Don't take salt; protect the landform.

• Sunblock and wind; strong glare.

• Carry extra water; breakdown is dangerous.

• Add Artists Drive and sand dunes.

• In heat, don't stray far from car.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Badwater Basin?

Park open 24h; Badwater boardwalk by day (extreme heat in summer, caution).

How much is the admission for Badwater Basin?

Park entrance fee per vehicle, valid 7 days.

Any practical tips for visiting Badwater Basin?

Summer: only dawn/dusk short visits. Don't take salt; protect the landform.

How long should I spend at Badwater Basin?

A typical visit takes Plan 30 min–1 hr including salt flat boardwalk..

Information here is compiled from public travel resources. Hours, fees and weather (esp. extreme heat) change; verify with the U.S. National Park Service before travel.