Devils Golf Course

The salt flats in Badwater Basin of Death Valley are minerals that remain after the evaporation of Lake Manly over 10,000 years ago. Uniquely shaped by wind and rain, Devils Golf Course is the area's largest example of this phenomenon. These halite salt crystal formations are like hard, jagged rocks that dominate the landscape. Although you are allowed to go out on the golf course, it is not recommended; the terrain is uneven and sharp, and visitors are prone to cuts, twisted ankles, and broken bones. This salt flat is gets it's name from a 1934 National Park Service manual that states "only the Devil could play golf" on such a course. 

Devils Golf Course is a short drive from the Furnace Creek Area down Badwater Road and onto a rocky access road that leads to the middle of the salt flat. You can access Devils Golf Course in a car, but an SUV or off-road vehicle is preferable. The road stops at a small parking lot with enough room for about a dozen vehicles. There are no trails that take you further into the Golf Course, though none are needed. The views from this point are amazing. The Panamint Mountains tower over you and provide a fantastic backdrop to the eerie "golf course." There are no restrooms or water at this location. Dogs are allowed on leash, but not they are not recommended.