Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park

Badwater Basin

The Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America, sitting 279 feet below sea level.

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Badwater Basin Details

The Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America, sitting 279 feet below sea level. At various points in history this was site of large lakes; Lake Manly, for example, was estimated to be 80 miles long and up to 160 feet deep at one time. By contrast, the basin is now comprised of 200 miles of salt flats. Today, the basin features only a small, spring-fed pool of undrinkable, salty water -- the "bad water" that gives the area its name. Normally dry, the basin can temporarily fill with rainwater, but this quickly evaporates. Park visitors can drive to Badwater and walk from a short boardwalk onto the floor of the basin via a hiking trail.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

N/A

Region

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Nearby Parks Around Badwater Basin

Compare nearby parks around Badwater Basin when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

17.0 mi away

Death Valley

National Park · CA

147.0 mi away

Joshua Tree

National Park · CA

187.7 mi away

Yosemite

National Park · CA

219.8 mi away

Zion

National Park · UT

240.6 mi away

Great Basin

National Park · NV

246.2 mi away

Pinnacles

National Park · CA

Nearby Points of Interest Around Badwater Basin

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Badwater Basin while the map context is still fresh.

0.2 mi away

Badwater Salt Flats Trail

The Badwater salt flats seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon.

1.0 mi away

Badwater Basin

Sitting 282-feet below sea level, this natural basin is the lower point in the United States and all of North America.

2.3 mi away

Dante's Ridge Trail

The Dante's Ridge Trail becomes increasingly difficult as you go.

2.3 mi away

Dante's View

Come to Dante's View to see both the lowest and highest points in the lower 48 United States.

2.8 mi away

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in Death Valley and, as such, the lowest point in North America at 279 feet below sea level.