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Well off the beaten path in the southern end of the park, these are some of the most remote sand dunes in the American West. Mountains flank the dunes to the west and east, making both sunrise and sunset an event. The backcountry road here is rutted with arroyos, and like so many other places in the park, requires a four-wheel drive.
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Spectacular view from an overlook just a mile or two away from Badwater, but 4,000 ft taller. The road to Dante's View is a bit long, but the view is worth it. If you are towing a trailer, a parking lot is provided for you to leave your trailer behind before ascending the most difficult part of the road to Dante's View.
Charles Manson and his followers were captured here in 1969. The backcountry road up - which includes several rock falls - will make you wonder how Charles Manson got a school bus through. Many visitors who make the difficult trek stay overnight in the cabin here.
Only for the most experienced and committed, the 135 mi course from Badwater (elevation -282 ft) to the Mt. Whitney trailhead (elevation 8360 ft) is billed as the world's toughest race. Adding to the difficulty, the race is held annually during July, the hottest month of the year. The field is invitation-only and limited in size, but annually about 100 start, and 1-2 days later, after crossing two mountain ranges, 60-80% percent of those who start arrive battered, burned, and exhausted at the finish line.
At 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America is a surreal landscape of vast salt flats. A boardwalk and signs provide info on the local environment, and a trail leads out onto the salt flats. As it is a dry lake bed and a low point, a temporary lake may form after heavy rainstorms.
Travel south from Furnace Creek. Natural Bridge is just east of the main road via a dirt road. This natural bridge in a narrow canyon was created when erosion managed to undercut a section of the stream bed and eventually create a bridge well above the bottom of the canyon.
A bizarre landscape consisting of a vast field of salt crystals. Please admire these carefully! A slight touch can break the crystals, which often take years to re-form.