Superbloom is erupting
Heavy winter rains have triggered one of California’s most spectacular wildflower superblooms — Death Valley and plains around the San Andreas Fault and Carrizo Plain are ‘awash with yellow’ right now. ( ) Peak bloom is expected to be brief and crowded — plan hikes soon and stick to marked trails to protect fragile habitats. (science.nasa.gov)
Landsat 9 imagery acquired March 13, 2026 shows the bloom mapped along the San Andreas Fault and bright patches around Soda Lake in Carrizo Plain National Monument. (science.nasa.gov) NASA cited California Department of Water Resources figures showing this winter’s rainfall ran close to twice normal in parts of the state, and Death Valley recorded roughly 2.5 inches of rain between November 2025 and January 2026 — more than its typical annual total. (science.nasa.gov) Field and park reports name the dominant species: purple Phacelia ciliata on fault-zone meadows, widespread desert gold (Geraea canescens), sand verbena and other daisies, with bloom concentrations reported along Soda Lake and viewing corridors such as North Badwater Road, South Badwater Road and Highway 190. (science.nasa.gov) Park and weather agencies project low‑elevation blooms in Death Valley to persist into mid‑ to late‑March while mid and higher‑elevation displays shift later in spring, creating a brief peak viewing window at lower elevations. (nps.gov) The 2016 superbloom drew more than 209,000 visitors to Death Valley, producing traffic jams and ecosystem impacts; BLM and NPS have issued the same cautions now about limited parking, crowded pullouts and the need to remain on designated routes. (popsci.com) Managers emphasize Carrizo Plain spans roughly 250,000 acres, offers minimal services (no on‑site water, fuel or charging), and could see its valley‑floor display extend into early April if weather remains favorable, with official visitor centers and agency hotlines listed as primary information sources. (ksby.com)
