Death Valley National Park - Badwater Salt Flat

Continuing our February 2015 visit to southern California, we drove 16 ½ miles south on Badwater Road to the large paved pullout at Badwater. The Badwater Basin is the lowest place in North America at 282 feet below sea level. The  pullout is marked for three handicap placarded vehicles, six buses or RVs, and three dozen standard vehicles. To descend from the pullout to the boardwalk, the park service has provided a set of concrete stairs near the middle of the parking area and two concrete ramps descending from near each end of the parking area. Although there is no potable water available at Badwater, a set of vault toilets has been installed near the southern end of the parking area.

A 175' long boardwalk and viewing area skirts the edge of Badwater Pool in an effort to protect the rare Badwater Snail. Visitors are prohibited from leaving the boardwalk near the pool, but are encouraged to walk beyond the end of the boardwalk onto the packed surface of the salt flat trail and beyond to see the delicate salt crystal formations. Badwater Basin covers about 200 square miles and receives runoff from a drainage area of nearly 9,000 square miles. As the infrequent runoff from the surrounding mountains evaporates, salt crystals form and expand creating a mosaic of delicate forms across the basin. We walked out into the basin about a mile before turning back.

Even though the temperature was in the 70s, we carried and drank plenty of water due to the arid and breezy conditions. There is no shade in the Badwater Basin. If you plan to walk beyond the end of the boardwalk, wear sturdy shoes, carry and drink plenty of water and cover any exposed skin with an appropriate SPF sunscreen. We also found lip balm to be very beneficial. This is a fascinating place to explore by wandering around, but it can also be dangerous for those who aren't prepared.

Topographic map with GPS walking route

Badwater Pool, the boardwalk, and the Panamint Mountains

Another view of Badwater Pool

Elevation sign on the boardwalk

Packed salt trail at the end of the boardwalk

Salt flats

The basin is about five miles wide

Snow covered 11,048' Telescope Peak (19 miles)

Salt crystals covered in dust

Another view of Telescope Peak

The Black Mountains line the eastern side of the basin

Salt crystal growth creates these patterns similar to frost heaves

Looking south to the Owlshead Mountains (30 miles)

Delicate salt crystals cover the surface of the basin

Looking east toward the parking area at the base of the Black Mountains

The wide packed salt path back to the parking area

An entrance fee of $20 admits all the passengers of a single vehicle for seven days. Other options include an annual Death Valley National Park Pass for $40, an Interagency Annual Pass providing access to most national park, national forest and BLM fee areas for $80 and a lifetime Interagency Senior Pass for those age 62 and older for $10.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm.