Badwater Basin
Pan · Inyo County ·

Badwater Basin

Pan · Inyo County ·

Lowest point in North America, vast salt flats with geometric patterns

below sea level
heat
sunset view
surreal
quiet
walk on salt
water puddles
sunrise view
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null
Badwater Basin by null

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Last updated

Jan 20, 2026

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@travelleisure
28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

This National Park Has Nearly 1,000 Miles of Roads and Surreal Landscapes—and It's the Hottest Place on Earth

"Visiting the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level is a must; the sprawling salt flats cover nearly 200 square miles, remnants of ancient Lake Manly that evaporated long before the ’49ers arrived. For the most striking views of the salt polygons, I hike out onto the flats, and after dark it doubles as one of my favorite spots in the park for stargazing." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/death-valley-national-park-guide-11863635
Badwater Basin
@travelleisure
28,641 Postcards · 5,542 Cities

Death Valley National Park Guide, According to Experts

"A sprawling salt-flat basin that marks the continent’s lowest point at 282 feet below sea level, formed from the evaporation of ancient Lake Manly and covered in distinctive salt polygons; visitors who walk out onto the flats get the best views and photographic perspectives of those geometric salt patterns." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/death-valley-national-park-guide-8756322
Badwater Basin
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

Death Valley Dining Oasis Feeds Thousands in the Hottest Place on Earth | Eater LA

"About an 18-minute drive from the Oasis, Badwater Basin is the lowest point of land in North America at nearly 300 feet below sea level and serves as a stark geographic counterpoint to the manicured green of the resort." - Farley Elliott

https://la.eater.com/2021/5/12/21148692/oasis-at-death-valley-national-park-dining-in-hottest-place-on-earth-california
Badwater Basin

Savanna J.

Google
We visited when there was accumulated water, and it was incredible. The water acts like a mirror, reflecting the sunset with unreal colors. The salt flats are fascinating to walk on. If you stay after sunset, the stars are amazing—just be sure you’re comfortable driving back in complete darkness, as it’s very remote.

Ross G.

Google
I arrived just before sunset, eerily quiet with almost no noise/sound polution. You feel the pressure change and walking out on the salt flat is quite surreal. There's a sign on the cliff wall to mark sea level for perspective.

Chetan

Google
We loved this place. We went there three times. During the day the place is beautiful but it was spectacular at sunset. Do stay another 1/2 hour after the sun disappears.

Jin Sung R.

Google
Visit when it’s not too hot. It seemed like the area could easily be closed if it rains. The ground was quite firm, and there were shallow puddles here and there. Interestingly, there were living organisms in those puddles.

Matias B.

Google
A must place to visit. Limited free parking space. You can park on street too. Place gets busy. You need to walk to the edge of the water. I recommend you walk into the water. Nice views and great experience. The salty crystals crack when you walk on them. The road is closed after this point.

Nook H

Google
Badwater Basin is one of the most iconic and surreal places in Death Valley—and the lowest point in North America! Standing 282 feet below sea level on that vast salt flat feels like stepping onto another planet. The white salt crust stretches endlessly in every direction, and the patterns on the ground are wild up close. It’s an easy walk from the parking lot to the basin, but the farther you go, the more dramatic and quiet it gets. Just be very careful in the summer—the heat is no joke. Bring plenty of water, wear a hat, and try to go early in the morning or near sunset when it’s cooler

Mia

Google
Wa were so lucky on the first day of 2026, seeing the reflection of water, right after the rain. Good luck everyone 🍀

Yriver

Google
It was early September and the whole valley was still very dry and hot 🥵 not to mention this lowest point in the continental of United States! We got up at 5:00am and drove here to view the beautiful sunrise! Booked the Ranch at Death Valley which is very convenient to visit the attractions in the park 🙂