The Return of Lake Manly in Death Valley National Park

In early February 2026, I returned to Death Valley National Park to witness the ephemeral Lake Manly at Badwater Basin. Following recent heavy rainfalls, the normally dry salt flats once again transformed into a temporary desert lake, an extraordinary flooding event in one of the hottest and driest places on Earth. In this post, I’m sharing photos from my visit and what it was like to experience Lake Manly again in Death Valley.

The Return of Lake Manly at Badwater Basin

Lake Manly appears at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park only after heavy rains in the fall or winter. Since I started visiting Death Valley quarterly in 2018, I’ve only seen this rare desert lake three times, twice in 2024 and now again in early 2026.

Below is the Alltrails map showing the short trail you can follow across the basin to reach the water for this unique experience.

Safety First: Don’t Walk or Kayak in the Lake

Conditions at Lake Manly can change quickly, so I strongly encourage you to check with Death Valley National Park rangers at the visitor center before heading out. Regulations may shift depending on water levels and surface conditions.

Just a few days before my visit, the park website indicated that kayaking was still allowed. However, when I arrived at the Badwater Basin trailhead, there were clear signs prohibiting kayaks, boats, and walking in wet areas due to the long-lasting damage they can cause.

When the salt flats are wet or muddy, footprints can leave deep impressions in the fragile surface. As the posted notice explained, footprints made in just five minutes can take years to disappear.

Please respect closures and avoid walking into the water, even if others are doing so. This landscape is incredibly delicate and deserves to be protected so future visitors can experience it the same way.

And as always, remember to follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.

Mirror Calm: Reflections on the Lake

On a February morning, I arrived at Lake Manly to find the water perfectly still, no wind at all, creating a mirror-like surface that was ideal for reflection photography. The glassy water at Badwater Basin was perfect for Death Valley photography, capturing the Panamint Range and Telescope Peak, the highest point in Death Valley National Park at 11,049 feet.

The calm conditions made for stunning views and unique photo opportunities. Sunrise or early morning often provides the best light and the most still water, so timing can make all the difference.

Wind Waves: Texture Without Reflection

In contrast to the calm, mirror-like mornings, visiting Lake Manly on a windy day or later in the middle of the day often produces ripples across the water, reducing reflections. If you stay long enough, you might get to experience both conditions in a single visit, offering two very different moods of the lake to capture.

Lake Manly from Dante’s View

Although I didn’t make it up to Dante’s View during this year’s trip, I photographed Lake Manly from there in January and April 2024. The view from above is completely different from standing at the lake itself.

At 5,475 feet, Dante’s View gives you a true bird’s-eye perspective of Badwater Basin. From up there, Lake Manly looks like a thin sheet of water spread across the salt flats. You can really see the shape of the lake and how it contrasts with the bright white salt crust surrounding it.

Instead of reflections and close-up details, this viewpoint shows scale. The lake, the salt flats, and the mountains all stretch out beneath you. It’s a powerful reminder of how rare it is to see water in this part of Death Valley.

If you have time, visiting both the lake level and Dante’s View gives you two very different and equally impressive perspectives.

Star Trails Over Lake Manly

Later in the evening, I left my friends at camp and returned to Badwater Basin on a solo mission to capture a 400-frame star trail, hoping to catch the stars’ reflection in the water. The first challenge was finding a good spot: there were already other photographers, tourists lingering around, and stray lights causing some unwanted light pollution.

Once I picked my location, I ran a few test shots to dial in the settings, then set the intervalometer to take 400 photos (20 seconds, f/1.8, ISO 800) at 1-second intervals. While the camera worked, I boiled water on my backpacking stove and enjoyed this Peak Refuel dinner! Then I spent some time stargazing, watching numerous shooting stars streak across the sky. It was a truly magical evening.

Clouds began creeping onto the horizon in the direction my camera was pointing, and the wind started picking up, making it quite chilly. I wasn’t worried about the cold, but gusts posed a risk to the tripod and the final shot. On top of that, a few cars drove along Badwater Road during the capture, and at one point, a random person walked straight into the water with a white headlamp. They stayed behind my camera at first, but then moved far enough into the water that my wide-angle lens picked up their light. I knew post-processing was going to be interesting.

After just over 2.5 hours, all 400 photos were captured, and I headed back to camp feeling elated from the magical night I’d just experienced.

When I got home, I loaded the raw files into StarStaX to see if it was even worth cleaning up each frame. To my surprise, despite the wind and other challenges, the stars aligned beautifully, and the reflection in the water looked incredible. I then spent the following days carefully cleaning each frame to produce the final image shown below, and I also put together this reel.

Gear Used For My Star Trail Photoshoot

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Manly

When does Lake Manly appear?
Lake Manly shows up at Badwater Basin only after significant rainfall, usually in fall or winter. It’s temporary and can vanish within days or weeks, depending on the weather.

Can I walk or kayak on the lake?
Walking in wet areas or using kayaks and boats is prohibited to protect the fragile salt flats. Even small disturbances, like footprints, can last for years. Always follow posted signs and Leave No Trace principles.

What’s the best time to photograph reflections?
Early mornings, just after sunrise, usually provide the calmest water and softest light for capturing mirror-like reflections.

Is night photography possible at Lake Manly?
Yes! Star trails reflecting in the lake can be incredible, but calm conditions and a tripod are essential for long exposures.

How long does the lake usually last?
The duration varies depending on rainfall and temperatures. In some years, it lasts only a few days, while in others it may persist for a few weeks or months.

Any safety tips for visiting?
Check current conditions with the Death Valley visitor center before heading out. Stay on durable surfaces, avoid wet areas, bring water and sun protection, and be prepared for temperature extremes.

Final Thoughts on Lake Manly

Death Valley has always been one of my favorite national parks, but witnessing the return of Lake Manly made it feel even more special. Seeing water fill the salt flats at Badwater Basin, even temporarily, transforms the landscape into something surreal and unforgettable.

Moments like this are why I keep coming back. Death Valley never looks the same twice, and that’s part of its magic. I hope this post inspires your own trip to Death Valley in the near future, and if Lake Manly happens to be there when you visit, consider yourself lucky.