Badwater Basin, Death Valley NP
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Badwater Basin - by Photographersnature (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Description
Badwater Basin is located in the Death Valley National Park in western California, to the southeast of the Sierra Nevada. It is known for its salt flats, for being the lowest point in North America (86m below sea level) and for its extreme summer temperatures. It is only 136km from Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous 48 United States. It is extremely dry because it lies in the rain shadow of four major mountain ranges. There is a 1-mile (1.6km) trail (boardwalk then route) to the edge of the salt flat Trivia #1: the evaporation rate is 3,800mm per year, the highest in the USA Trivia #2: the name 'bad water' refers to the high salt content which makes the water undrinkable
Access & Transport
The basin is off Badwater Rd, 30 minutes (17 miles/27km) south of Furnace Creek, near the border with Nevada. It is a 2h30 drive from Las Vegas, 3h from Barstow and 3h30 from Bakersfield.
Instructions & Recommendations
Pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. Hiking is not advised after 10h00 in the summer
Environmental & Social
Infrastructure has been kept to a minimum so this is a green activity (besides the transport to get there)
Conclusion
Very much worth the drive for outdoor lovers if already in the Sequoia NP/NF area, hiking around Mt Whitney or planning to take on other national parks such as Mojave and Joshua Tree. Else, it may not justify such a time investment (out of LA for instance). Tip: go there as early as possible for manageable temperatures and get the place to yourself.
Key positive
Spectacular landscape
Interesting geology
Key negative
Can get very hot
Time consuming to get to
Suitability
An ADA accessible ramp leads down to a wooden boardwalk. The walking surface is firm and wide beyond the boardwalk.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
August 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h 30m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeNo
AfternoonNo
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo
Max number of travellers:6
Min. Child age:3
Max. child age:11