Latest Death Valley Travel News: Prehistoric Lake Manly Back After Unprecedented Rain – Road Impact and Wildflower Hopes Ringing in Travelers for Some Rare Sight

Published on December 17, 2025

For travellers and nature lovers, Death Valley National Park has delivered one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena of the decade: the reappearance of Lake Manly, a prehistoric lake that briefly fills the desert’s lowest basin after rare heavy rainfall. This sudden rise of water in one of the driest places on Earth provides an unexpected and stunning backdrop for visitors planning travel to this iconic California destination.

In late 2025, the park experienced its wettest fall on record, with 2.41 inches of rain falling between September and November — more than the average annual precipitation for the region. November alone delivered 1.76 inches, breaking a November rainfall record that had stood since 1923. The deluge was so intense that rainwater began pooling in Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, situated 282 feet below sea level.

The result: water re‑forming a shallow body known informally as Lake Manly — a return of a feature that is usually found only in Death Valley’s ancient geological past.

What Travelers Are Seeing Now: A Shallow Lake in the Desert

The current incarnation of Lake Manly is far more modest than the lake that formed after Hurricane Hilary drenched the region in 2023 and persisted into early 2024, when kayakers and paddleboarders briefly enjoyed its surface. Today’s water levels, though captivating, remain shallow — in most places not rising above the tops of a visitor’s shoes — transforming the normally dry salt flats into a reflective surface and a rare photographic opportunity.

Death Valley National Park officials note that the lake appears roughly one mile from the Badwater Basin parking area, allowing visitors and photographers a chance to see something remarkably unusual if travel conditions are favourable.

Why This Is Rare: Record Rainfall in a Desert Landscape

Death Valley’s climate is defined by extreme aridity, with average annual precipitation typically under 2 inches. The valley’s location — surrounded by mountain ranges that create a pronounced rain‑shadow effect — means that storms rarely deliver enough moisture to create significant runoff.

Yet recent storms have bucked this historic trend. The National Weather Service confirms that this year’s fall rainfall surpassed the total amount the valley usually receives over an entire year, a remarkable anomaly for a region that can see years without measurable precipitation.

This unusual pattern of rainfall has prompted scientists and travellers alike to reflect on both climatic variability and the fragile beauty of desert ecosystems. It has also ignited curiosity about how these conditions might influence other natural spectacles, from floods to blooms.

Could This Lead to a Spring Wildflower “Superbloom”?

Heavy rainfall often sparks questions about the potential for spectacular wildflower blooms — events that draw visitors from around the world to witness carpets of colour in an otherwise stark desert. However, park officials caution that while ample rain is an important ingredient, it is not the only one.

The National Park Service notes that other environmental factors — including soil temperature, seed seedbank conditions, and winter weather patterns — play vital roles in whether a significant bloom will occur. As such, it remains too early to definitively predict whether a spring 2026 “superbloom” will develop.

Nature enthusiasts planning travel during the late winter or spring should monitor official park updates for blooming forecasts closer to the season.

The Visitor Experience: What Travelers Should Know

The dramatic return of a shallow Lake Manly comes with travel considerations. Recent storms have caused widespread flooding and debris flows, resulting in closed or damaged roads in parts of the park. Some unpaved roads remain difficult or dangerous to traverse, and visitors are strongly advised to check current conditions through official channels before embarking on travel.

Despite some closures, many of Death Valley’s most iconic viewpoints — including Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, and the salt flats near the lake — remain open and accessible, offering travellers striking views of a landscape transformed by rare water accumulation.

If you are planning a visit, it’s recommended to prepare for backcountry conditions, carry sufficient water and supplies, and consider travel during daylight hours. Safety remains a priority in a place where the dramatic shift from dry desert to temporary lakeshore can happen quickly.

Behind the Scenes: The Ancient Legacy of Lake Manly

The lake that visitors now glimpse occasionally was a constant feature in Death Valley during the last Ice Age, forming an expansive freshwater lake fed by rivers from the surrounding mountains. Known as Lake Manly, the prehistoric waterbody once stretched miles across the valley floor, nurturing ecosystems long since vanished.

These ancient conditions stand in stark contrast to the valley’s present climate, where water is ephemeral and only appears after abnormal rainfall events like those of 2025. Today’s shallow reappearance is a reminder of the dynamic natural history and geological transformations that have shaped the region over millennia.

Travel Tip: Best Times to Explore Death Valley’s Wonders

For travellers planning a visit to Death Valley National Park, the winter and spring season offers cooler temperatures and — occasionally — these rare water displays. Historically, transient lakes and wildflower blooms have drawn photographers, hikers, and nature lovers eager to see the desert in an unexpected light.

However, given ongoing road impacts and changing weather patterns, checking current travel conditions on the National Park Service’s official website before departure remains essential. This ensures safety, accessibility, and the best possible experience in this extraordinary landscape.

Final Thoughts: A Desert Transformed, if Only Briefly

For travellers and residents alike, the return of Lake Manly in Death Valley National Park is more than a meteorological oddity — it is a spectacle that bridges the distant past with today’s unexpected natural theatre. Where once there was nothing but salt flats and shimmering air, now lies a glistening sheet of water that invites reflection, curiosity, and awe.

As the desert dries once more in the coming months, this ephemeral lake will recede, leaving behind memories, photos, and perhaps an eagerness to return. For those considering travel in 2026, this rare phenomenon offers an unforgettable reason to explore one of America’s most extreme and enigmatic landscapes.