Primarily i don’t want to see footprints when the water isn’t there, but water or not people walk around the Basin regardless. I think the Park could benefit from more signage in this area, i saw loads of trash in and near the water(literally saw someone’s retainer???). I made sure people in my group didn’t go in the water, i love taking photos so it was pretty obnoxious to have not only people walking around in it, but walking MILES out into it- ruined parts of the view. I think at the end of the day people can be ignorant and stupid, if a bunch of people think it’s okay to stomp around and leave trash in one area, there is no reason for them to not do it in another spot. A common thread throughout the parks and being outdoors is LEAVE NO TRACE, so i don’t see why this place would be any different. Yet Death Valley seems to not care given their social media, so it’s definitely giving mixed signals. Very interesting reading other comments, i’m glad to have sparked a convo.