Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin

Death Valley, CA

Reviewed April 16th, 2005

Death Valley is known as the land of extremes. The lowest, hottest and driest location in North America. The pit toilet restrooms at Badwater Basin are the lowest restrooms in the western hemisphere sitting at around 260 feet below sea level (the basin itself is at -282 feet while the restroom is perched higher up near the parking lot). While marveling at the vast salt lake bed surrounded by Telescope Peak, the Panamints and the Funeral Mountains, you will have to drink about 1 liter of water in order to stay hyrdrated. Your only respite is the sole minimalist building offering single mens and womens restrooms. And by restroom, what I really mean is a single pit toilet mounted on the floor of a large concrete room. Corrosion spots are speckled everywhere, no doubt a result of the salt being tracked in on people's feet. The toilet paper is gritty, stiff and thin.

During busy times (i.e. if there is a tour bus in the parking lot), you may be in for a wait.

RESTROOM RATING: 4
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