Introduction to Badwater Beach: Badwater Beach (Badwater, also known as Badwater) is the most visited and famous place in the entire park. It is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, with an altitude of -282 feet. It can be seen from the cliff next to the highway. A sign says "SEA LEVEL". The origin of Badwater Beach is that the water in the inner flow basin is too salty to drink, hence its name. In summer, the temperature in the pool can reach as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit, so summer is also the worst time to visit Death Valley.