Devil's Golf Course:
Death Valley National Park is home to the mesmerizing salt flats located in the Badwater Basin, a result of minerals left behind after the evaporation of Lake Manly more than 10,000 years ago. This vast expanse of rock salt has been shaped by the forces of wind and rain into striking jagged serrated spires. The Devil's Golf Course stands as the largest manifestation of this geological wonder, showcasing halite salt crystal formations—rigid, jagged rocks that dominate the landscape. While visitors have the option to walk onto the golf course, the Park Service discourages it due to the uneven and sharp terrain, posing risks of cuts, twisted ankles, and even broken bones. The moniker "Devil's Golf Course" finds its roots in a 1934 National Park Service manual humorously declaring, "Only the Devil could play golf on such a course."
The Devil's Golf Course is a brief drive from Furnace Creek along the Badwater Road, followed by a rocky access road leading to the heart of the salt flat. The road concludes at a modest parking lot with space for approximately a dozen vehicles. While there are no designated trails extending deeper into the flats, none are necessary—the views from this vantage point are truly extraordinary. The Panamint Mountains loom majestically over the area, offering a spectacular backdrop to this otherworldly landscape.
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