The sign near the parking lot says that an endorheic basin in Death Valley National Park of California was named Badwater because the water in it was too salty and even toxic for traveller's mules to drink.
The basin is noted as the lowest point in North America, with a depth of 86 m below sea level and it consists of a small spring-fed pool of "bad water" where the accumulated salts of the nearby basin make it undrinkable.
The Badwater pool also has plant and animal life, including aquatic insects, the Badwater snail and pickleweed.
Summer in this area can be quite unbearable due to deadly heat. That's why the best time for exploring Badwater Basin is between mid-October through mid-May.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Badwater Basin?
It is advisable to visit Badwater Basin between mid-October through mid-May when temperatures range between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and the heat is less intense. Although during winter, the temperatures can drop below freezing, it adds another layer of beauty to the area. Show more
Where is Badwater Basin located?
Found in Death Valley National Park, California, Badwater Basin is part of the Furnace Creek formation. The area stretches approximately 200 square miles along the valley floor, and can be accessed by car from several locations. The two closest airports are in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, each over 100 miles away from the basin. Show more
What makes the water in Badwater Basin undrinkable?
The small spring-fed pool of water known as 'bad water' is undrinkable because of its high and toxic salt levels. The accumulated salts from the nearby basin made the water too salty even for mules to drink. These salts come from a series of floods in Pleistocene times. The salt flats in the area accumulate at a rate of six inches annually. Show more
What kind of plant and animal life can be found in Badwater Basin?
Though the environment is harsh, Badwater Basin still supports plant and animal life. The most common plant is succulent pickleweed, which grows in the salt mudflats. The only known species of snail that can live in highly saline water is the Badwater snail, which is endemic to the basin. Other creatures found in the area include small aquatic insects like brine shrimp and the desert pupfish. Show more
How hot does it get during the summer in Badwater Basin?
Badwater Basin can experience extreme heat during the summer, with temperatures often reaching well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). In fact, it holds the world record for the highest temperature ever recorded, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius) in July 1913. It is not recommended to visit during this time due to potentially deadly temperatures. Show more
