Badwater Basin

Sitting some 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, Badwater Basin is all that remains from what was once a large, ancient lake. Now stretching for almost 200 square miles (518 square kilometers), its white salt flats form distinctive hexagonal patterns called polygons. Though Badwater Basin seems inhospitable to all life, there are plants and insects that make their home here.

For those wishing to explore further, a wooden boardwalk extends onto the salt flats; the national park recommends making a roundtrip walk of 1.5 to 2 miles (2.4 to 3.2 kilometers) for the best views of the polygons offset against the mountains in the distance. Badwater Basin can also be seen on a number of Death Valley tours, including day trips from Las Vegas, sunset and stargazing tours, and photography-themed tours.

• There is an ADA-standard ramp that leads onto the wooden boardwalk. The salt flats are relatively firm, though wheelchair users may encounter some uneven surfaces.

• Conditions can be very extreme at the Badwater Basin, amplified by the salt flats’ reflectiveness. Come prepared with lots of water, sunscreen, and coverage, and find shelter if you feel overheated.

• Pets are not permitted anywhere in Death Valley National Park, including Badwater Basin.

Badwater Basin is in south-central Death Valley, roughly 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of Furnace Creek. It can be accessed via Badwater Road, an offshoot of highway 190. There is a paved parking lot on-site that can accommodate RVs and other large vehicles. Tours offer another easy way to explore.

Badwater Basin, like all of Death Valley National Park, is open throughout the year. The best time to visit is winter and spring, when the park is at its coolest and wildflowers may be blooming. It’s recommended to take precautions if visiting in the summer months, as the heat can be scorching; the park strongly cautions against hiking onto the salt flats after 10am in the summer.

Many of Death Valley’s most popular landmarks are an easy car trip from Badwater Basin. Highlights include Zabriskie Point (a famed scenic overview), Artists Palette (named for its colorful landscapes), Dante’s View (another popular viewpoint), the Devil’s Golf Course (so named because only the devil could play on such jagged terrain), and Red Cathedral (named for its striking rock formations).