Devil’s Golf Course – Death Valley

Devil’s Golf Course is one of Death Valley’s strangest, most photogenic stops — a vast field of jagged salt spires that looks almost lunar. Here’s what you need to know.

What it is

The name comes from a 1934 NPS guidebook that noted the surface was so rough only the devil could play golf on it, and the nickname stuck. Devil’s Golf Course is actually the dried-up bed of ancient Lake Manly — the lake once covered this part of the valley to a depth of around 30 feet before evaporating and leaving behind thick layers of crystallized halite salt. In some spots the miners found the salt and gravel beds extend as deep as 1,000 feet. On a hot day, the salt crystals make tiny popping and pinging sounds as they expand and contract in the heat.

Getting there

It’s located on the main road between Badwater Basin and Furnace Creek, right near Artists Drive.
The final stretch off Badwater Road is a rough, unpaved gravel road — roughly 1–1.5 miles — that leads to a small dirt parking lot.
Most regular cars can manage it, though a high-clearance or AWD vehicle is optimal.
There’s no separate fee — it’s covered by the standard Death Valley National Park entrance pass.

What to do there

Park and walk out into the salt field as far as you’d like — you can’t see the interesting rock structures from the road itself, so it’s worth the short detour.
Watch your footing: the pinnacles are jagged enough that a fall can mean cuts or broken bones, so wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, not sandals.
Do not drive out onto the salt flats themselves — the surface is fragile and it’s strongly discouraged.
There are a few interpretive plaques at the lot, but that’s about the extent of the facilities — no restrooms or other services on-site. The nearest bathrooms are at Badwater Basin and Artist’s Palette, and the only water refill stations in the whole park are at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, so bring plenty with you.

Best time to visit

It’s no secret that Death Valley gets extremely hot. For more information, you can read our guide to the best time to visit Death Valley.

A few practical tips

Cell service is essentially nonexistent in the park — download offline maps beforehand.
Keep your gas tank topped up; services are sparse and spread out.
It’s a quick stop (most people spend 20–40 minutes), so it pairs naturally with Badwater Basin and Artists Palette/Artists Drive on the same drive.