Sightseeing

Badwater Basin

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

1 photos

4.2/ 5.0

★★★★☆

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

→Getting there：~2 hrs NW of Las Vegas

→Fee：National park entrance

→Summer：Extreme heat; don't linger

→Gear：Lots of water

💡 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

Any practical tips for visiting Badwater Basin?

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

Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.