One of the most unique landscapes of Death Valley is the Salts Flats of California. Known as the Badwater Basin, it was one of my favorite spots during our recent Death Valley trip. I thought it deserved its very own private blog post!
Maybe I’ve lived a sheltered life or I haven’t traveled enough, but I have never seen a landscape like this before at all! And I felt like we were on a different planet! The Salt Flats of California is a sight to behold and experience like no other!
For more about Death Valley and its many natural wonders, visit my Death Valley post for the all the best sites to visit during your trip.
About Badwater Basin
“Badwater Basin is an endorheic basin in Death Valley National Park, California. Noted as the lowest point in North America, with a depth of 282ft (86m) below sea level.
The site itself consists of a small spring-fed pool of “bad water” next to the road in a sink; the accumulated salts of the surrounding basin make it undrinkable, thus giving it the name. The pool does have animal and plant life, including pickleweed, aquatic insects, and the Badwater snail.
Adjacent to the pool, where water is not always present at the surface, repeated freeze–thaw and evaporation cycles gradually push the thin salt crust into hexagonal honeycomb shapes.”
~ Wikipedia
Where are the Salt Flats California
The Death Valley National Park is considered part of Central California. Bordering the state of Nevada. The Badwater Basin Salt Flats is located on the South side of the National Park off of the main Badwater Road. Only about 30-minutes South from the main town of Furnace Creek, in Death Valley.
The nearest airport is about 2-hours East, in Las Vegas at the McCarren International Airport. You can easily obtain a rental car from there and visit Badwater Basin for a day. And possibly other Death Valley sites as well. Or take off on your road trip journey in a camper or RV.
When to Visit Badwater Death Valley
In my personal opinion, the best time of year to visit Death Valley, is during the Winter months of January-February. And possibly a bit of March. The weather is much cooler. At the Badwater Salt Flats in California, there is zero shade. So you can only imagine the horrendous heat that beams down on you during the Summer months. There are some pros to visiting during the Summer such as the Milky Way being visible in the starry night sky.
The best time of day to visit the Badwater Basin Salt Flats is at Sunset or Sunrise. I prefer Sunsets because I like my beauty sleep. During these twilight and dusk hours, the salt flats take on a different aura. The sky and the sun create a magical combination of colors and you’ll be amazed at the textures and the shadows the landscape create.
What to do at Badwater Salt Flats
Hike the Salt Flats
The Salt Flats don’t particularly have hiking “trails“, but you can definitely still hike it and explore the expanse of the barren wasteland. It looks like it’s seemingly endless and can just go on forever, but I’m pretty sure there is an end. Of course, you start at the public parking area designated for Badwater Basin. There is a park ranger who would be happy to help answer any questions. (You’re also welcome to pull off the road along Badwater Road, but I think that is frowned upon.)
Starting from the small parking area, you can make the first initial “trek” into the salt flats. The main walk way has been traversed by many tourists, so it’s pretty smooth, and off to the sides, the terrain is rather rough. But once you venture deeper, after about 5-10 minutes, you’ll enter the zone where the texture of the landscape starts to look “cracked”. Go deeper and deeper and there will be less people.
Depending on the time of year and day, there may not be many people around at all. You can walk off to the left or the right or just straight ahead. Do remember to bring provisions, water and protection from the elements if you intend to be out on the Salt Flats for a long period of time.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Salt Flats
When I say have fun, I don’t mean bring a soccer ball and kick it around on the basin because if you do, you’re an idiot. Have fun by enjoying the uniqueness of the landscape, take funny photos, do a dramatic vogue-inspired photoshoot, produce a music video, breathe in the fresh salty air, and just enjoy yourself or the company you are with. Just make sure to adhere to the rules of the park. (Drones are not allowed in the Death Valley National Park.)
Another fun thing you can do is Star Gazing. There are no hills or mountains to obstruct the huge expanse of the sky. You can literally gaze at the incredible night sky for hours. But make sure you bundle up, it gets pretty cold at night in the desert.
The below Star Gazing photos were taken at other sites in Death Valley, but you get the idea of the incredible expanse of the night sky.
Meditate at the Salt Flats California
What better environment can you ask for to meditate in? It’s peacefully quiet, no distractions of any kind, the air is clean, fresh and the salt is soothing beneath your feet. Clear your mind and just be with yourself. Be one with the universe. Perhaps if you find a spot that’s more flat and smooth, you can even attempt a Yoga session as long as you bring a thick yoga mat!
Family Friendly Science Experiments
The unique landscape of the Salt Flats of California is a great place to run experiments on the salt and mineral composition of the terrain. Kids can learn about geology and the history of Death Valley. How Badwater Basin was formed and why the salt crystals create such a unique honeycomb pattern. It’s also a great opportunity for home-schoolers to work on special science projects or experiments. Death Valley is a wonderful expanse of educational material!
Photographer’s Haven at the Salt Flats
Badwater Photography Tour or Classes
We are total amateurs when it comes to photography. So unfortunately we can’t answer any expert questions or give much photography advice. But with that said, we do know when we see a good photography location when we see one!!! And the Salt Flats in California is definitely one.
When we visited, about 85% of the people that were there with us were all photographers. Carrying tripods, setting up their equipment and just patiently waiting for the sun to set. There were also photography instructors with their students on a class trip.
We made the mistake of not charging our DSLR camera battery before we left for the trip and we arrived to the salt flats with a camera that quickly died on us. So many of our photos were taken using our smartphone.
Don’t make the same mistake we did. Charge your camera batteries and make sure you have a memory card!!!
Check with Google and search for Badwater Basin Photography Tours and you’ll be rewarded with a lot of results. In fact, the whole of Death Valley is ideal for all kinds of photography tours. From Landscape to Astrophotography. If you’re interested in a Photography Class or Tour, Death Valley is a great place to start.
Have you been to Death Valley or the Badwater Basin Salt Flats in California? Do you love it or hate it? Comment below and let me know! I’d love to hear about your experience!
Death Valley Hotels & Campgrounds
For a list of Death Valley Accommodations that’s local to all the main sites to see, visit my post for the Best Hotels & Campgrounds in Death Valley.
From private luxury villas to single-tent camping sites, Death Valley can accommodate everyone’s preferences.
Wow, I had no idea Death Valley looked like this! Your pictures of the salt flats are gorgeous.
Thank you! I hope you get to visit it some day.
that’s an interesting idea! I love it! I’m pretty sure, that is the place where we should open our minds to create amazing funny photos! :3
This place looks so cool! I’ll have to add it to our bucket list for our next Cali trip. I think the kids would REALLY enjoy this place. Your pictures turned out awesome, amateur or not. What a unique location!
Awwww thanks! If your kids are Star Wars fans, then they just may find Death Valley fascinating. ;P
I have been here a few times and absolutely loved it! We were just set to go camping there before our move to the East Coast but we couldn’t make it happen. Such an amazing spot and fun photos!
Thank you so much! I’ve lived so close to it all my life and never knew it looked like this!
I didn’t know that we had salt flats like that in America! The hexagonal shape really makes for interesting pictures. I’d love to visit.
I didn’t even know that we had salt flats in California! I’ve always wanted to see some in real life. I guess I have no excuse not to go now. Thanks for sharing!
Right? California is full of hidden secrets!
This looks like such a fun day trip! The way the flats are arranged like honeycomb reminds me of Pamukale in Turkey.
Who would have thought there are so many beautiful and wonderful places. What a beautiful world we live in and dont know it. Your photos are gorgeous! I’m impressed! Thanks!