Going below sea level while on land in Death Valley

It’s a lonely road you drive down Valley of Death. If you approach from the east, once you pass the Amargosa Opera House it’s pretty empty until you get to Furnace Creek.

You know, the aptly named Furnace Creek. It is the hottest place on earth, a sweltering 134 degrees measured in July 1913. Although Death Valley’s record of that temperature is often debated, it’s easy to say that it is one of the hottest places on our planet.

Death Valley National Park, located on the border between California and Nevada, is a place of extremes and not just because of the temperatures. It is the lowest point in the United States where you can dive below sea level without ever getting wet.

282 feet below sea level

There are numerous warning signs posted by the National Park Service about the approach to Death Valley. Check the water level of your vehicle, do not drive off the paved roads and whoever alerts you to the lack of available cell service in the area.

But the strangest are the brown signs you drive past that indicate the sea level.

We are going to Badwater basin, a desert salt flat that is the lowest point in the United States: 282 feet below sea level. If the ocean could find its way here, we’d be well underwater before we even reached the Badwater Basin.

Badwater basin under the sea

When you park in the small parking lot at Badwater Basin, the first thing you see is all the other travelers and tour buses parked in the lot.

Apparently underwater is a popular place to be.

But when you arrive, take a moment and look away from the salt flat, the parking lot and the road towards the mountain. There are some strange signs on the mountain.

You may have to squint to read them because they go a long way up the mountain. But it all adds to the effect when you see that it clearly says ‘sea level’ and you are well below it.

The Salt Flats

It’s time to visit this special place. First of all, take a photo with the Badwater Basin landmark sign for posterity and of course the ubiquitous social media sharing.

Then go onto the quay. By the way, at this point you may want to bring sunglasses as the reflection from the salt flats is somewhat blinding.

You walk past some brackish pools with what appear to be living creatures in them as you make your way to the end of the dock.

Then you can go to the salt flats there, at the lowest point in our country at 85 meters below sea level.

The salt flat crunched when I walked over it with my hiking boots. I picked up some of the surreal salt flat and it immediately melted in my hand.

Otherwise it was quiet and peaceful in the warm sunlight. Only a few mumbled voices from other bystanders taking in the moment. Kind of what you expect 282 feet below sea level.

Tips for travelers

Of course, it is best to make this trip in winter. In summer it should be avoided. Recently, Furnace Creek reached 130 degrees again. Tourists like to celebrate those warm days by cracking an egg on the sidewalk and watching it sizzle. You don’t want to be there.

The largest city near Death Valley is Las Vegas, where you can easily drive to Death Valley National Park via Pahrump on well-marked two-lane highways.

By the way, be sure to fill your gas tank in Pahrump, as well as when you come to Death Valley. Especially on the trip there, as remote Furnace Creek has only one gas station and prices are usually well over $8 per gallon.

Also check your fluid levels and tire pressure before embarking on this journey. Death Valley National Park is a remote location and you don’t want to go broke.

Once you approach Furnace Creek, follow directions to Badwater Basin. If I remember correctly, it is a left turn and a gently sloping ride under the sea. To enjoy!