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Badwater Basin, Death Valley NP

Badwater Road, Furnace Creek, California

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

Meta review

Most online reviewers seem to be mostly thrilled by the idea of being at the lowest point in the country and seeing the mark on the cliff showing the actual sea level. However, there are some people for whom it is the landscape, both harsh and peaceful that is the real draw. Worth the long drive.

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

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Too hot to go outside of vehicles during the summer but the park is open year-round

av. transport time:1h 30m

est. visit time:1h 15m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeNo

AfternoonNo

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
$15 for one person, $20 for motorcycle and $30 per vehicle. Pass valid for 7 days

Max number of travellers:6

Min. Child age:3

Max. child age:11

Traveller #
Adult
Child
1
US$30
US$30
2+
US$0
US$0

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