Death Valley National Park invites visitors to swim in a lake that will soon disappear: what the rare phenomenon looks like
Due to heavy rainfall in California, a temporary lake has formed in Death Valley, the driest place in North America, offering people a unique opportunity to explore it by kayak.
Unofficially called Lake Manly, it lies in the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America (86 meters below sea level). It is usually a dry salt flat. Park rangers provided guidance to CNN on what visitors interested in paddling need to know.
Typically, the valley receives only 2 inches of rainfall per year, but in the last 6 months, 4.9 inches fell—particularly in August 2023 and February 2024—significantly more than usual. Rainwater flowing down from the mountains created a large reservoir, inaccessible for a long time due to washed-out roads.
However, the road has now been cleared, allowing people to witness a rare phenomenon in this area. Skilled tourists with appropriate equipment may even have the opportunity to explore the valley while swimming, an extremely uncommon occurrence.
Most of the roads to the park are open, but some trails remain blocked, so it is recommended to check the weather information before traveling.
The lake may be deep enough for kayaking for only a few weeks. However, it should be noted that the park does not offer boat rentals, so tourists are advised to bring their own equipment.
"If people plan to paddle in the park, they will need to bring their own equipment. We also recommend bringing some water to rinse off the salt from your equipment or person," the park told reporters.
There is no massive wildflower bloom yet, but it is expected from late February to mid-April. The shallow water can delight visitors until mid-spring when it completely evaporates.
This is a great opportunity to visit Death Valley and see its unique landscapes from a new perspective.
As previously reported by TravelWise, Death Valley is a great place for extreme recreation even when there are no lakes.
