Pros & cons
PROS
- Otherworldly jagged halite formations you can see up close
- Quick detour via a short gravel spur with small parking
- Great texture-rich photography, sometimes with audible salt crackling
CONS
- No shade or services at the site
- Razor‑sharp, uneven surface; a fall can mean nasty cuts
Overview
Devil's Golf Course is Death Valley’s roughest slice of salt country—an endless field of serrated halite mounds carved by wind, rain, and time. It’s a quick, worthwhile stop that punches above its weight for sheer weirdness and geology.
What You’ll See
Step out to a horizon of jagged brown-and-white salt knolls and spiky crust with mountains framing the basin. Close to the parking area, informational signs set the scene, but the star is the texture—gnarled, toothy crystals everywhere. On hot, calm days, stand still and you might hear faint pops and crackles as the salt expands and contracts.
How It Formed
This is the remnant of ancient Lake Manly. As the lake evaporated, dissolved minerals precipitated into salt, later weathered into today’s chaotic spires and ridges. Beneath your feet lie deep layers of salt and gravel, testament to millennia of drying and reworking in this extreme basin.
Planning & Safety
Access is via a short, unpaved spur off Badwater Road, typically passable in dry conditions. There’s a small parking area and that’s about it—no shade, no water, no restrooms. If you step onto the crust, move slowly and wear sturdy, closed‑toe shoes; the surface is sharp and breaks unpredictably. In summer, keep visits brief and bring plenty of water.
Wildlife
Don’t expect wildlife here. The salinity and exposure make this a harsh, largely lifeless patch compared to friendlier corners of the valley.
Best Time to Visit
Early and late light rake the salt, throwing long shadows that make the textures pop—prime time for photos. Midday can be brutally hot and visually flat. It’s usually a short stop, so weaving it between Badwater Basin and other nearby sights works well. After rains, the spur road can be rough—check conditions before you commit.
Where it is
36.3283, -116.8601Tips for Devil's Golf Course
- 01Wear sturdy, closed‑toe shoes and watch every step on the sharp crust.
- 02Limit time here during heat; there’s no shade or water.
- 03For photos, come at sunrise or sunset to bring out the salt textures.
- 04Stay near the parking area and avoid running or climbing the spires.
- 05After rains, confirm the gravel spur is open and drivable.
Amenities
Near Devil's Golf Course
All places →All trails →
4.1 mi awayMushroom RockHidden roadside pedestal rock with a storied past
4.2 mi awayArtists PaletteRainbow badlands you can wander right from the carParking · Restroom
4.2 mi awayArtist's Palette WashWalk into Death Valley’s rainbow hills right from the overlook.Easy · 1 mi · 48 min
4.8 mi awayDesolation CanyonColorful, quiet badlands hike with late-afternoon glow and big viewsTrailhead · Parking
4.8 mi awayDesolation Canyon TrailColor-drenched badlands and a quiet canyon with easy scramblesModerate · 3.7 mi · 2.5 hr
5.8 mi awayGower GulchBadlands canyon with dryfalls, color, and a classic loop finish
6.1 mi awayNatural Bridge Canyon TrailQuick canyon walk to a dramatic rock bridge and dry fallsEasy · 1.5 mi · 54 min
6.4 mi awayGolden Canyon to Red CathedralGolden walls to a red-rock amphitheater with a fun, short scramble.Moderate · 3 mi · 1.5 hr
