It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… Badwater Basin. The lowest point in North America is a crystalized, hexagonal land of immaculate salt formations at Death Valley National Park in California. Get all you need to know for how to visit Badwater Basin here.
The Details
What is it?
At 282ft below sea level, Badwater Basin is known as the lowest point in North America. Its remains used to house Lake Manly. Due to the lake having no outlet, salt and sediment settled and deposits were left behind, creating the dazzling salt flats today.
How to get there
On the way from Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin is 18 minutes from Furnace Creek Visitor’s Center and 45 minutes from Stovetop Wells Visitor’s Center. These are the two main locations to stay at within the park.
Best Time of Day
Most visitors recommend a visit during golden hour when the sun is not so bright, as to best see the shaping of the hexagonal formations. I visited during sunset and absolutely loved it! Photos I have seen during typical hours are still beautiful.
When to go
While Badwater Basin is open year round, it is NOT advised to visit after 10:00am during summer hours due to complete lack of shade; dehydration and heat sickness are common. Due to Death Valley National Park holding the title for one of the hottest temperatures in the world, it is generally advised to visit the park between fall and spring. I absolutely loved my winter experience and definitely recommend a trip during this season.
What you can expect
After parking your car, walk across an ADA accessible ramp leading you to a wooden boardwalk over flats. Continue beyond the boardwalk to walk across the white flat salts. The further you walk, the more you will notice the salt patterns chains, from very bumpty to increasingly hexagonal. It’s about 1.5-2 miles roundtrip to reach the most scenic part of the flats and back to the parking lot. There are no trail markers.
There you have it- that’s how to visit Badwater Basin!. Have you explored the flats or are you planning to soon? I would love to hear about your experience! Comment below to share.
