Where is Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California?

Written by | Updated On: March 13, 2026, 13:58 ET

Badwater Basin is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.It lies between the Black Mountains and the Panamint Range, situated in the southern part of Death Valley, and is famous for being the lowest point in North America and its wide salt flats.

Badwater Basin Location Map, Death Valley, California

Top Attractions Inside Badwater Basin

  • Badwater Salt Flats – Vast, otherworldly salt formations at the lowest point in North America.
  • Badwater Basin Boardwalk – Short walkway offering close-up views of the polygon-shaped salt crusts.
  • Devil’s Golf Course – Jagged salt formations creating a dramatic and rugged landscape.
  • Artist's Drive Overlook (nearby) – Colorful mineral-streaked hills visible on the scenic loop road.
  • Natural Bridge Trail (nearby) – Short hike to a massive sandstone natural arch in a desert canyon.
  • Panamint Range Views – Stunning mountain backdrop contrasting with the flat white salt basin.

Badwater Basin Facts

Official NameBadwater Basin
LocationDeath Valley National Park, Inyo County, California, USA
Latitude & Longitude36.2504° N, 116.8258° W
Total Area200 square miles (518 square kilometers) of salt flats
OpenedNatural Formation (Protected since 1933 as part of the national monument)
FounderNatural Geological Formation (Later protected by the U.S. National Park Service)
Managed ByU.S. National Park Service
RegionDeath Valley, Mojave Desert
AddressBadwater Road, Death Valley National Park, CA 92328, USA
Zip Code92328
Area Code760
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZonePacific Time (PT) - UTC−8 Standard / UTC−7 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptExtreme Desert Landscape, Salt Flats, Lowest Point in North America
Sections (Lands)Salt Flats - Badwater Pool - Black Mountains Overlook - Artist’s Drive Nearby
Famous AttractionsSalt Hexagon Patterns - Lowest Elevation Sign (-282 ft) - Panamint Range Views
Annual VisitorsApprox. 1,000,000+ visitors to Death Valley National Park (Badwater Basin is top attraction)
Entry Fee TypeNational Park Entrance Fee Required
Ticket Price Range$30 per vehicle (valid 7 days) - $15 per individual
Ticket OptionsPark Vehicle Pass - Individual Pass - Annual National Parks Pass (America the Beautiful)
Best Time to VisitNovember–March (Cooler temperatures and safe conditions)
Nearby AirportFurnace Creek Airport (Local) – Major: Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) 120 miles
TransportationCar Access via Badwater Road - Parking Area - Hiking Access to Salt Flats
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/deva

Distances from Badwater Basin to Nearby Landmarks

  • Devil’s Golf Course – 11 km (7 mi)
  • Mushroom Rock – 13 km (8 mi)
  • Artist’s Palette – 16 km (10 mi)
  • Artist’s Drive Scenic Loop – 15 km (9 mi)
  • Golden Canyon Trailhead – 19 km (12 mi)
  • Furnace Creek Visitor Center – 27 km (17 mi)
  • Zabriskie Point – 32 km (20 mi)
  • Harmony Borax Works – 31 km (19 mi)
  • Dante’s View – 40 km (25 mi)
  • Stovepipe Wells – 54 km (34 mi)
  • Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – 62 km (39 mi)
  • Rhyolite Ghost Town – 60 km (37 mi)
  • Beatty, Nevada – 56 km (35 mi)
  • Death Valley Junction – 81 km (50 mi)
  • Panamint Springs – 80 km (50 mi)
  • Wildrose Charcoal Kilns – 105 km (65 mi)
  • Ubehebe Crater – 110 km (68 mi)
  • Father Crowley Vista Point – 130 km (81 mi)
  • Shoshone, California – 74 km (46 mi)
  • Ashford Mill Ruins – 11 km (7 mi)

Top Places to Visit in California

Explore the most popular tourist places in California. The list below includes famous beaches, national parks, historic sites, and scenic attractions across the state, along with map locations.

Places (A -J)Places (J - P)Places (P - Z)
Alcatraz IslandJoshua Tree VillagePebble Beach 17-Mile Drive
Angel Island State ParkKings Canyon National ParkPebble Beach
Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkLa Jolla CovePfeiffer Beach
Badwater BasinLaguna BeachPinnacles National Park
Balboa IslandLake Shasta CavernsPoint Lobos State Natural Reserve
Balboa ParkLake Tahoe Scenic DrivePoint Reyes National Seashore
Bixby BridgeLassen Volcanic National ParkRedwood National and State Parks
Big Sur CoastlineMalibu BeachSan Diego Zoo
Big SurMalibu Creek State ParkSan Francisco Cable Car System
Bodie State Historic ParkMalibu Lagoon State BeachSanta Barbara Mission
Burney FallsMammoth Lakes BasinSanta Monica Pier
Carlsbad BeachMission DoloresSanta Monica State Beach
Channel Islands National ParkMission San Antonio de PaduaSequoia National Park California
Coronado BeachMission San Carlos BorromeoSonoma County
Crissy FieldMission San Juan CapistranoSonoma Wine Country
Crystal Cove State ParkMission San Luis Obispo de TolosaTahoe National Forest
Death Valley National ParkMission Santa BarbaraThe Broad Museum
Disneyland ParkMono Lake Tufa State Natural ReserveThe Exploratorium
Donner Memorial State ParkMonterey Bay AquariumThe Getty Center
Emerald Bay State ParkMount Lassen Peak TrailHenry W. Coe State Park
Fort Point National Historic SiteMount ShastaJ. Paul Getty Villa
Golden Gate BridgeMount Tamalpais State ParkThe Presidio
Golden Gate ParkMount WhitneyUSS Midway Museum
Griffith ObservatoryMount Whitney TrailThe Wave Organ
Griffith ParkMuir Woods National MonumentTorrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Hollywood SignNapa Valley Wine CountryTransamerica Pyramid
Hollywood Walk of FameNewport BeachUniversal Studios Hollywood
Joshua Tree National ParkPalace of Fine ArtsYosemite National Park
Joshua Tree Scenic Drive

Explore the complete list of places to visit in the United States, including national parks, cities, landmarks, and famous attractions.