Devil’s Golf Course in Death Valley 2024-2025

The hottest place on Earth features lots of unique spots and this is one of the most bizarre places to visit

Best time: October–April

Thousands of years ago this territory was known as Lake Manly. Due to climate changes throughout the years the lake dried up leaving dissolved minerals on a surface. These minerals have transformed into fantastic sculptures over thousands of years. Nowadays it is a large salt pan located on the floor of the Death Valley. The Devil's Golf Course got its name from a note in a guidebook of the National Park service, which said that only the devil could play golf here due to the incredibly serrated surface.

There are no exact boundaries of the course, but it starts near the Ashford Mill site and stretches for over 64 km to the Salt Creek Hills. Rain and wind continually create amazing shapes from salt minerals that draw enthusiasts to this unique spot. As this desert is known to be the spot for the hottest temperature ever measured, featuring the record of +56 °C in 1913, summer isn't the best time to come.

Best Time to Visit Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley

The most pleasant period to visit the Devil's Golf Course runs from October to April when it's not too hot to walk around. Winter months could be a bit muddy though. Spring months could be the most exciting as the temperatures start rising and you have more chances to hear the 'music' of salt cracking in the morning. In general, it's better to head there in the early morning to experience the view without too many tourists.

Access and Location

Devil's Golf Course is situated approximately 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) south of Furnace Creek along Badwater Road. A well-maintained dirt road leads about half a mile from the main road to a parking area adjacent to the salt formations. The dirt road is generally passable for most vehicles, but it's advisable to check current road conditions before visiting.

Admission

Visiting Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley National Park requires payment of the park's entrance fee, which is $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 consecutive days. Alternatively, visitors can opt for the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, priced at $80, granting access to all national parks and federal recreational lands for a year. Please note that pets are not allowed in this area.