20 Attractions to Explore Near Badwater Basin

Dante's View offers a dramatic panoramic view of Death Valley from a very brink of an edge. It is also an excellent venue for night time star viewing with telescopes.

Devils Golf Course is a scenic viewpoint in Inyo County. It is a large salt pan on the floor of the Death Valley, located in the Mojave Desert, within the Death Valley National Park in eastern California. Although its exact boundaries are poorly defined, it extends from the vicinity of the Ashford Mill site to the Salt Creek Hills, covering a distance of about 40 miles.

Artists Drive is a scenic viewpoint in Inyo County. It crosses a sloping mountainside composed of vibrant soil colored by rich metals. The drive passes an area dubbed the Artist’s Palette, which is among the unique landmarks in Death Valley National Park that must be seen to believe. Artist’s Drive is a one-way road traveling from south to north. For those coming from Badwater Basin, this is an ideal side trek en route to Furnace Creek.

Sidewinder Canyon is located at the base of the Black Mountains on the east side of Death Valley National Park south of Badwater Basin. The canyon is fairly wide with a gravel bottom and forty-foot stone walls on both side. The trailhead is unmarked and the trail only has occasional cairns along the way for guidance, creating a remote trek in a Death Valley canyon. The mouth of the canyon is difficult to spot from the trailhead. Begin hiking south toward the gravel fan exiting the canyon.

Gower Gulch is a small gulch on the eastern side of Death Valley in Inyo County, California. It is located in the Black Mountains. Gower Gulch is visible from Zabriskie Point and is about one and a half miles long.The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Zabriskie Point is a part of the Amargosa Range located east of Death Valley in Death Valley National Park in California. It is composed of sediments from Furnace Creek Lake, which dried up 5 million years ago—long before Death Valley came into existence.

Manly Beacon is a towering spire that rises above the Death Valley badlands. The peak stands out in stark contrast to the backdrop of the Red Cathedral formation and the surrounding mud hills. To many people, the peak may look unclimbable, but there is a narrow ridge that accesses the small summit, where there are unforgettable views of the surrounding badlands, the Death Valley salt pan, and Telescope Peak, the often-snowcapped highpoint of the Panamint Range.

Golden Canyon Trailhead is a locality in Inyo County. Golden Canyon Trailhead is situated west of Red Cathedral Junction, and west of Zabriskie Point Junction.This route features tons of geologic and human history – you’ll pass through layers of strata defining the different ages of Death Valley’s past, see canyons painted in dozens of different colors, and pass old mining shafts and claims from the area’s industrial heyday.

The Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park is probably the most famous hike in the park. It is easily accessible and you can enjoy the view from manly Beacon and explore the golden mudstone hills . It is one of the iconic location for trekkers and also there are so many things to expore.

Wildrose Charcoal Kilns would probably be one of the most visited attractions in Death Valley if they were not in such a remote location.The kilns were built 7 miles out on Wildrose Rd which is mostly paved with a well maintained gravel stretch at the end of this adventurous trip. These kilns produced charcoal for the Modock Mine smelter about 20 miles to the west.The kilns closed after only three years of use. This may be the best-preserved examples of charcoal kilns in the West.

Wildrose Peak is located in the Panamint Range which serves as the western border to Death Valley National Park. Wildrose Peak is an excellent peak to climb in the summer when the heat of the valley is extreme.The 9,064-foot peak is about seven miles north of Telescope Peak, the highest point in the park at 11,049 feet. Wildrose sports an expansive view of the Panamint Mountains, Badwater Basin, and the surrounding desert landscape.

Aguereberry Point is a 6,300 foot peak, similar to Dantes View on the far side, 20 miles away in a direct line but 77 miles by road. Because of its westerly setting, this place is one of the best locations to photograph the valley in afternoon and around sunset. The promontory is actually 1,000 feet higher than the more famous Dante’s View vista point and provides a stunning 360 degree view of Death Valley.

An abandoned borax mine. They became famous through the use of large twenty-mule teams and double wagons which hauled borax through the long overland route to the closest railroad in Mojave, California.

Telescope Peak is the highest point within Death Valley National Park. From atop this desert mountain one can see for over one hundred miles in many directions, including west to Mount Whitney, and east to Charleston Peak. It is also notable for having one of the greatest vertical rises above local terrain of any mountain in the contiguous United States. Hiking Telescope Peak by the normal route involves a 14 miles round trip hike.

Death Valley National Park, the hottest and driest national park in the United States, located in Death Valley, largely in southwestern California, though a small portion extends into Nevada’s Bullfrog Hills. The park is home to many species of plants and animals that have adapted to this harsh desert environment including creosote bush, Joshua tree, bighorn sheep, coyote, and the endangered Death Valley pupfish, a survivor from much wetter times.

Ash Meadows is a true hidden gem. This unique area boasts a variety of intriguing features, including wetlands, springs, and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It's like stepping into another world altogether! The crystal clear water of the pools and streams are the perfect spot for swimming or taking a refreshing dip. And if that doesn't interest you, you can take a leisurely stroll along one of the many hiking trails and explore the beautiful landscapes.

This short hike along Salt Creek takes hikers through one of the more unique areas of Death Valley National Park. With the surprising presence of water in the midst of the salt flats, this area looks positively lush compared to the rest of the basin.This is a very popular area for hiking, walking, and other nature trips, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nye County, Nevada is a gem of a destination that will surely tickle your fancy. Covering over 23,000 acres of land, this refuge is home to a plethora of endemic species that attract nature enthusiasts from all over the world. From the beautiful and elusive Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish, to the majestic southwestern willow flycatchers, this refuge is a veritable haven for wildlife.

The Amargosa Desert is a unique and stunning landscape that's not for the faint of heart. But if you're up for the adventure, you won't be disappointed. The desert is home to a variety of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. With its rugged terrain, towering cliffs, and expansive vistas, the Amargosa Desert is truly a sight to behold. I may be biased as a desert-loving AI, but there's something special about the stark beauty of these arid landscapes.

Mengel Pass is a long and moderately difficult trail located in the Death Valley area. This Pass, is unpaved. It’s called Coyote Canyon Road. Road conditions are always changing. Experienced 4WD drivers only. Section over both sides of Mengel Pass is challenging, steep and rutted. Its harsh weather and terrain can be challenging, but its reward of solitude and spectacular scenery warrants the trip.