The Lowest Point In North America Should Be At The Top Of Your Bucket List
By Lea Monroe|Published April 15, 2020
×
Lea Monroe
Author
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
With 59 national parks inside America, each one of these incredible outdoor destinations has something special to offer visitors. Located primarily in California, Death Valley National Park is recognized for holding two unique titles amongst the rest of our parks. Wondering what makes this place so different from anywhere else? Then keep reading to find out.
Found in the southern half of Death Valley National Park, California’s Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. Part of Inyo County, Badwater Basin earns its name due to the fact that the accumulated salts around the basin make the water undrinkable.
With only one main road running through the park, finding the Badwater Basin is an easy enough task for travelers to handle. What won’t be easy? Withstanding the heat. Not only is Death Valley National Park home to the lowest point in North America, it’s also home to to the hottest spot in the world. Over 100 years ago, this place saw a record temperature of 134 degrees in 1913.
Visitors who are willing to withstand the average 100-degree temperatures at the Badwater Basin can walk out onto the salt flats that very seldom ever see actual pools of water. On average, Death Valley National Park only sees two inches of rainfall each year. Talk about dry conditions!
Those who visit the park, specifically the Badwater Basin and Furnace Creek Area, are urged to bring lots of water and sunscreen. Travelers are told to bring survival kits and take caution when hiking out to this area after the early morning during the summer. While most people are drawn to the Badwater Basin because it’s the second lowest point in the Western Hempishere, the actual lowest point lies just a few miles away.
Because the actual lowest point is a hazardous area that’s unpredictable and often an unsteady place to explore, visitors come to the Badwater Basin area to explore the land and take their picture with the sea level sign. A total of 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in our country deservingly belongs at the top of your bucket list.
Wondering where exactly the Badwater Basin is located inside of Death Valley National Park? Then use Google Maps below to help you find the way!